Background
The Rover Vitesse began its motorsport involvement on the racetrack as part of the British Touring Car Championship, before the Rover Competition department moved into rallying. Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) were building and running the touring car programme, so it seemed to make sense for them to manage the rally project as well, especially as the Austin Rover Group’s attentions were firmly focused on the MG Metro 6R4 project.
The Rover was never going to be a lightweight spritely challenger. However, the bodyshell whilst being very heavy was exceptionally strong and therefore apart from the roll cage and heavy-duty suspension was left largely factory standard. The engine was the Rover V8 engine, that had originally powered the Triumph TR7 V8, had an increase in the amount of torque being produced. The Rover was certainly a powerful and fast car albeit large and not very nimble.Because of the MG Metro 6R4 Group B project running at the same time (Tony Pond and Colin Malkin were starting national rallies in an early 2500cc Metro 6R4 prototype already from 1983), the Rover Vitesse 3500 wasn’t seen that often. But in 1984 it still had time to celebrate dominant victories in Group A on the Hunsrück Rally and the Manx.
The Rover Vitesse’s most famous or perhaps infamous moment came on its only works WRC start, the 1984 RAC. For the weeks leading up to the start it was impossible to open a motoring magazine without seeing an article on how the big Rover was unbeatable. So after weeks of expectation, works driver Tony Pond, was waved away on the first stage, only to return on foot moments later having parked the car firmly in a tree less than a mile into the stage. The question had been answered. The car could be beaten, but only by a very large oak tree.
This Car
1 of 3 identical cars prepared by Austin Rover Motorsport, for the October 1984 Austin Rover Rallysprint at Donnington. A480 WOE turned out to be the camera car, driven on the event by Nigel Mansell, John Watson and Jimmy McRae. The latter of which recorded the fastest time.
In December 1984 ‘480’ was sold to Gooding Investments in Cardiff who had the car rebuilt over the winter into full Group A rally specification by Bob Brain developments. It competed on selected rounds of the 1985 FIA Group A challenge. After it underwent a full rebuild by Bob Brain Developments and was advertised for sale.After passing through a number of owners, it was finally purchased by Frode Saltvedt in February 1997 and exported to Norway, where the car was stored in his collection and used on one rallycross event. In December 2006 the car was acquired by current owner and brought back to United Kingdom and used actively on slowly Sideways UK events.
Technical Specification
Engine: 3500cc, V8, two single under head camshafts
Induction: Naturally Aspirated, fuel injected
Transmission: 5 Speed RWD
Power Output: 299 Bhp