Group A Rover SD1/Vitesse Rally History (sep from main thread) - Page 14

MG Rover Sport · 27 Nov 2012, 10:33 (Ref:3172133)

Chunterer - You might want to split these last few posts off onto the rally car Rover SD1 topic?

VIVA GT · 27 Nov 2012, 12:21 (Ref:3172183)

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilwoo

B565AOX, was a touring car for the 1st 2 yrs and then converted to a rally car by TRW at Oxford. Still retains the unique 'camber adjustable' rear axle and special cast front hubs that were used in touring. Also the last surviving 2ltr TR7 Ex-Tony Pond.

Does anyone know or heard about the Fairy liquid upgrade? I know the story but does anyone else

I'm intrigued, please do tell...

MG Rover Sport · 27 Nov 2012, 12:57 (Ref:3172203)

Have you not heard that one before mate - it's part of Rover rallying folklore!

devilwoo · 27 Nov 2012, 13:42 (Ref:3172218)

Hi David,

PM Sent.

As far as I'm aware, that is how 565 currently sits. The TR7 was finished and now belongs to a private collector.

If the TR7 is anything to go by, 565 will be absolutely beautiful when it's finished.

Regards Mike.

MG Rover Sport · 27 Nov 2012, 14:44 (Ref:3172239)

PM sent Mike? Nothing received!

devilwoo · 27 Nov 2012, 15:04 (Ref:3172245)

Sending another now!

KA · 27 Nov 2012, 19:17 (Ref:3172302)

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilwoo

Does anyone know or heard about the Fairy liquid upgrade? I know the story but does anyone else

IIRC, wasn't the idea supposed to be to dump a mix of water and Fairy Liquid under the rear tyres at stage starts on tarmac rallies to encourage wheelspin in an effort to stop them eating halfshafts....?

I was never sure whether it was true or another Group A SD1 urban myth- I can just picture the conversation at scrutineering- 'Is that a proper homologated bottle of Fairy Liquid?'

devilwoo · 28 Nov 2012, 11:00 (Ref:3172510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KA

IIRC, wasn't the idea supposed to be to dump a mix of water and Fairy Liquid under the rear tyres at stage starts on tarmac rallies to encourage wheelspin in an effort to stop them eating halfshafts....?

I was never sure whether it was true or another Group A SD1 urban myth- I can just picture the conversation at scrutineering- 'Is that a proper homologated bottle of Fairy Liquid?'

Correct! Apparently so and the switch was linked to the reverse light switch. Also a switch label ' TPAI' or something similar 'Tony Ponds Amazing Idea'...

How true? We'll never know!

VIVA GT · 28 Nov 2012, 14:10 (Ref:3172567)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KA

IIRC, wasn't the idea supposed to be to dump a mix of water and Fairy Liquid under the rear tyres at stage starts on tarmac rallies to encourage wheelspin in an effort to stop them eating halfshafts....?

I was never sure whether it was true or another Group A SD1 urban myth- I can just picture the conversation at scrutineering- 'Is that a proper homologated bottle of Fairy Liquid?'

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilwoo

Correct! Apparently so and the switch was linked to the reverse light switch. Also a switch label ' TPAI' or something similar 'Tony Ponds Amazing Idea'...

How true? We'll never know!

What a brilliant idea (and trust Pondy to come up with it!)

MG Rover Sport · 29 Nov 2012, 18:43 (Ref:3173166)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

Chunterer - You might want to split these last few posts off onto the rally car Rover SD1 topic?

Many thanks mate - you are indeed a gent!

corliss · 5 Mar 2013, 19:10 (Ref:3214699)

Can anyone confirm if A683NJO still exists?
I have the original V5 Reg papers obtained with a competition shell, but have been informed by DVLA that car is still registered elsewhere!
Either i have a 'ringer' or someone else has,,
If the other chap has the genuine car then surely someone has information of it's whereabouts, i would hate to think the shell i have could masquarade as something it is'nt,,
What happened to it when Del Lines brought it back from the Middle East?
Seems to have dropped off the radar.
Only the faintest hope that i have a 'Real' car, prob not,
Skip

MG Rover Sport · 6 Mar 2013, 12:29 (Ref:3215031)

Good afternoon 'Skip', and I hope you are keeping well?

As far as I can make out A683NJO was sold to Mick Moore in Lancashire in 1986/87ish time, and was then rallied by him on a few occasions. I gather he sold it to someone else in Lancashire, but I have not spoken to Mick since the late 1990s so have really lost track of this car since then.

As I'm sure you are aware, '683' was one of the three Austin Rover Middle East Rally Team entries along with A377VUK and A379VUK. '683' was used by Abdullah Omar, '379' was used by Tony Pond, and '377' was the team's recce car.

According to Del Lines they would have been built to the following spec : basically standard / uprated front suspension; 300bhp engine; ‘Getrag’ Jaguar gearbox; 4HA LSD rear axle; twin shock absorbers (4 in total); 4 link rear suspension with Panhard rod; wheels 8” x 15” with Pirelli gravel racers - not forgetting the same twin fuel tank setup that you've possibly seen on Phillip Young's or Duncan Holder's cars in more recent times.

According to the DVLA the road tax was due on 1st May 1992, so if '683' does still exist then it certainly hasn't been road taxed on the original registration number since then.

Do you still have my email address? If so, would you mind emailing me a handful of photos of the shell that you have acquired, and I'll see if I can help you identify it when I get home this evening.

andy97 · 6 Mar 2013, 15:04 (Ref:3215104)

It was good to see a few Rovers being demonstrated at the Race Retro rally stage

corliss · 6 Mar 2013, 18:08 (Ref:3215183)

The shell i have is definately Not one of the long distance types, no evidence of a 4HA axle fittment or long range tanks ever having been fitted. So Not A683
Skip

KA · 7 Mar 2013, 22:30 (Ref:3215769)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy97

It was good to see a few Rovers being demonstrated at the Race Retro rally stage

MG Rover Sport · 2 Apr 2013, 13:09 (Ref:3228001)

Quote:

Originally Posted by corliss

The shell i have is definately Not one of the long distance types, no evidence of a 4HA axle fittment or long range tanks ever having been fitted. So Not A683
Skip

That is a shame 'Skip' - it would have been nice to find that car.

Out of interest, did you buy the V5 and competition shell (as you call it) from the same seller? PM or email me if you'd prefer.

MG Rover Sport · 2 Apr 2013, 13:31 (Ref:3228014)

Here are a handful of my photos of the 'big rumblies' at 2013 Race Retro...

**chunterer** · 3 Apr 2013, 21:44 (Ref:3228796)

Good shots!

Loving the sideways action!

MG Rover Sport · 4 Apr 2013, 14:25 (Ref:3229134)

No problems mate, but thank you for the praise all the same!

corliss · 27 May 2013, 18:01 (Ref:3254115)

Back again to Loughgall for another try, this time in newly built car.
Due to Eamon breaking his leg on Wed had to find a driver in a hurry, landed up on Fri eve with a man who prepares some of the best cars but has'nt been out for a while, he had 1 mile on road to get the feel, then in at the deep end,
Video of his first ever run in a Rover (unfortunately sound failed)
After 6 stages he took 3rd in class and a trophy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0M0opPDhr4
Happy enough as we hadnt even got car set up

Click image for larger version

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**Peter Mallett** · 5 Jun 2013, 09:33 (Ref:3257938)

Welll done!

Pass on my best wishes to Eamon.

corliss · 23 Aug 2013, 21:39 (Ref:3293236)

This week i was invited to authenticate a Factory Works Rally car,
Not a Hope, i thought,,,,
But i found what appears to be a genuine BL/ARG/Gartrac car,
Beautifully built, cage Exactly as early 80's works cars, 4HA axle, Turreted rear shocks, Exhaust through boot area and out through rear panel, EXACTLY as Paris/peking cars but with single fuel tank,
NOT a home built car, i would say Definately a works Gartrac shell,
Car has correct works brakes and suspension, 3 or 4 sets of works Speedline wheels, a mountain of tyres, mostly still wrapped as new, aluminium BIG storage boxes (marked AR Motorsport) full of spares,
Engine is a RS Racing Engines unit on Twin SideDrafts, also has spare RS Engine on quad D/D's,
I heard about this car about 13yrs ago but present owner beat me to it,
Car has been unused since then,
The car appears to have a VERY sad history, and original owner does NOT want to discuss car or its origins,
I am certain the car appeared at the Circuit Of Ireland in the mid 80's before being put away, not to be seen till recently
Shell has NO VIN Number, and original Reg was kept by 1st owner,
I am convinced that this was a factory spec shell,
Next time i go up i will take camera and post pics
Someone Somewhere Must have knowledge of this car,
Present owner has no idea what to do with it apart from a few track days,
Car is Immaculate
Skip

gypseywilson · 11 May 2014, 12:42 (Ref:3404918)

Looks like the car above is advertised by Jason Lepley at the moment.....

KA · 11 May 2014, 14:31 (Ref:3404967)

Definitely sounds like the car that Skip described in his post- Looks a very nice piece of kit...

There's never a lottery win around when you need one, is there!

http://www.jasonlepleymotorsport.co.uk/rov.htm

http://www.jasonlepleymotorsport.co.uk/rov31.JPG

Paulhunter · 26 May 2014, 22:06 (Ref:3411063)

Does anyone have any more information or history on this car, I am looking to buy it from JL but would like to know some more of its history.

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