This Rover SD1 Vanden Plas, was originally built in 1985. 

She was fully  restored in 1998 by RPi Engineering and given a new specially built 4.2 litre Rover V8 Engine to replace the tired 3.5 litre unit.

I drove her daily for three and a half years until I started taking an interest in other motors. At which point, the SD1 went for a holiday for a while at RPi's yard. There were plans for some new modifications....

The chance presented itself in the Summer of 2004. BBC Top Gear approached RPi Engineering, having previously worked together on a Jeremy Clakson Christmas Special, to aquire an SD1.

Top Gear wanted an SD1 in top condition to prepare for a race to celebrate the end of the line for Rover's production of their infamous V8 Engines

RPi subsequently race prepared the car. On the 4th July 2004 car was raced by Richard Hammond for the BBC Television's TopGear programme with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club at Snetterton Race Track.

The car was race prepared in only three weeks. All credit goes to the guys at RPi for making her special again, and in such a short time. A lot of hard work and late hours were put in! Everyone concerned was delighted that the car completed qualifiying and the race itelf, in one piece. Richard Hammond did a great job against the regular racers in the club. The fact that he finished at the back of the pack does not bother any of us at all!! We're happy to have been invited, and seen the car complete the race :)

Maybe we'll get the chance to try again sometime? In the mean time, with a change of tyres, she sailed through her MOT! So, now this SD1 is road legal again!