Just a small but significant update today.
With all the work on the column switches completed, this meant that I could finally take the car for a quick spin around the block to see how it actually drives and if it highlights any further issues.
The cold start was really good, only needing a couple of turns to come to life. I wasn’t too impressed with the top end rattle though, I will need to get some new oil in there and hope it’s not a sign of things to come. The oil in there will be at least a year old, if not two, and I don’t know what grade.
Before I could back the car out of the drive I had to raise the steering column, as all the wiring work was done with it at its lowest height.
Overall the car drove really well. The weird notchy feeling in the steering seemed to clear up, so hopefully that’s just from lack of use. It tracked and drove straight, without feeling too rolly polly on the suspensions, so maybe it’s not completely poked.
The engine pulled well, although I forgot how lazy the autos are; but that’s what I like about them. The revs stay low, and it just rides that low end torque and gains speed quickly without fuss.
Say what you will about automatic transmissions, especially ones from the 80s, but this old GM 3 speed shifts beautifully. The previous owner claims it was rebuilt, but I have no proof of that. The shifts are smooth and seamless, and kickdown was snappy.
I didn’t check the trip computer, but everything else seemed to work. The gauges all rose, the speedo and tacho worked, and all the lights worked. The low coolant light worked a little too well though, the bottle and radiator are full, but the light is still on. Will need to do some digging.
The Rover SD1 has such a commanding presence on the road. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the average joe to see one driving around in a sea of boring beige appliances.
Great looking car, but don’t lower it or you will lose the front spoiler when you back up the drive on to the road.