Memories of Rover SD1 Headlights!
In 1978 I was competing in the national motor racing championship for Clubmans Sports cars in my Mallock U2 Mk 18BW. It was the Mallory Park round (Leicestershire) and it had not gone well, with my engine throwing water pump drive belts. (It later turned out I had been supplied with the wrong toothed belts!) One failed in practice and a replacement failed in the race and I was thoroughly fed up – all that way for nothing!
I loaded the car onto my trailer and zipped on its fitted cover which left the rear wing sticking out – it looked very interesting like that!
I was so annoyed with the day I didn’t even take the time to change out of my racing overalls, I just jumped into my tow car and set off up the M1 motorway heading north. By then it was raining and there was spray everywhere, making it difficult to see behind. Trailers were not meant to exceed 60mph on the motorway, nor to use the outside lane. I came up behind a Spruce Green Mk2 Cortina hogging the middle lane at 55mph when the inside lane was empty. He resisted all attempts to get him to move over and I was losing time, I just wanted to be able to do my 60mph and get on...
I looked behind as best I could but it was just a wall of spray, so I took a chance, signalled, and moved into the outside lane and overtook him, moving quickly back in, across to the empty inside lane. I said to my wife that I hoped I wouldn’t see SD1 headlights come alongside and watched my door mirror. My heart dropped and I cursed when I then saw the distinctive SD1 headlights appear… However, it was a dark brown civilian car which drew alongside and I sighed with relief, when, to my horror, right behind was another set of SD1 headlights, and of course a blue flashing light!
Could the day get worse?!
I followed him off the next slip road as signalled and we pulled over. The occupants got out, pulling on their hats, as they do, and started ticking me off. The driver then asked what was under the cover? In an effort to appease them I lifted the cover so they could see, and it became clear that they were motorsport enthusiasts. Of course, I told my tale of woe for the day hoping for a sympathy vote… Eventually the driver said “I have no doubt you can handle this outfit but you know the rules. I am going to radio ahead and if any of my colleagues up the road see you doing that again we will throw the book at you!” and at that they sent me on my way! Phew…
I have no idea if they carried out their threat but I drove impeccably the rest of the way home, and I have never forgotten the distinctive shape of Rover SD1 headlights appearing out of the spray!
