The Rover SD1 Vitesse Twin Plenum. The ultimate roadgoing, race winning Rover SD1 Vitesse was the Twin Plenum (TP) version introduced toward the end of production as a 500 model run to satisfy homogolation regulations for Group A European rules. While the standard single plenum Vitesse produced 190bhp the Lotus developed twin plenum was considered to produce 20 bhp more (although the official bhp was still quoted as 190 to avoid further road going homologation).

Our 1987 registered Moonraker Blue Twin Plenum was acquired from Ken Clarke the renowned SD1 specialist (and former TWR Race Engineer) in January 2025. Ken and son Tim were previously involved completing the recommissioning of our 1984 Silverleaf Rover Vanden Plas EFi. The TP was last Mot'd in 2004 and has been off the road since so in this case we have commissioned Ken and Tim to complete a full restoration including an engine rebuild by John Eales to extract the fuller potential from the TP arrangement. We will also be looking to upgrade the transmission, suspension and brakes to try and ensure the TP handles as well as it looks.

As with all later Vitesse the car features the deep front wrap around chin spoiler (another racing homogolation requirement), polyurethane tailgate spoiler, side rubbing strips and radio antenna integrated into the tailgate glass. Our TP also has the very rare, for a Vitesse, twin rear headrest arrangement which will help to make it unique in terms of overall style and appearance. 

Inside sports style front seats, gloss burr walnut inserts for dash and doors, electric sunroof to complement electric windows and all round central locking complete the extensive trim and features package. The only omissions from our TP are air conditioning and cruise control but we will forsake those options and focus on performance!

Restoration works are scheduled to begin later this year with completion sometime in 2026. We can't wait!

Note: The photograph is taken from the Austin Rover Promotional Material for 1984 featuring a Moonraker Blue Vitesse