First of all, neither of these were mine, though the 3.5 could have been.

 

I'd been a fan of the SD1 since it was introduced. The first one I had was a 2600. Needed a bit of work and was ok..ish.

This was the late 80's, just at the time I was getting my continental legs. Our second foreign holiday was to Frejus southern France. the 2600 is what we went in. On the way back up the autoroute around Lyons, there was a bang but the car kept going,so, so did we.

It was only when I needed to change gear that a problem showed up, it was quite difficult.

What had happened was that a big end clamp had dropped off, 1 bolt snapped the other had unscrewed all the way out. Unfortunatly, it was the one with the crank locking shims, when you push the clutch, the crank moves!

 

 

 

 
   

 

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After the 2600, I yearned for the fabled 3500. Then one day, I stubbled across one on the forecourt of some inconsequential car dealer. It stood out like a beacon.

A 3500 SE in virtually showroom condition. The reason was, that it had been the car of the Chairman of GEC as it was then, Lord Weinstock. Immaculatly maintained and chauffer driven all of its life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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