Lauded as “Car of the Year 1977”, the Rover SD1 was enthusiastically received at the 1977 Geneva salon. The first owner of this car was so impressed, that he immediately placed an order for a 5-speed manual gearbox equipped example at the salon on the 24th of March 1977. The hand-over, which was promised for May 1977, experienced considerable delay, and he was only able to take delivery of his car through Garage Champel-Centre in Geneva on the 29th of November 1977. Despite the somewhat rocky beginnings he remained faithful to his SD1 for the next 44 years as is shown through countless receipts until the end of 2021. The thorough care and maintenance lavished on the car is demonstrated by, amongst other things, the installation of a folding roof in 1979 a cylinder head- and radiator-overhaul in 1998 at then 104’000 kilometres driven and a new water pump including a new viscous clutch in 2016 at 118’000 kilometres. After a short ownership change in 2023, the Rover was taken over by the vendor in December 2023 and added to his collection. Due to lack of space he unfortunately must pass ownership of his 3.5 litre V8 Rover to the next enthusiast. With only three owners and a mere 122’500 kilometres driven, the V8 saloon is in good, well maintained and very original condition with the last veteran MOT completed in March 2018.