This is the third SVO I've owned. My second was a 1985 1/2 model, a very satisfying drive. As a member of the
SVO Club of America I followed other SVO owners' experiences with their cars, always looking for ways to improve my car. I came across a n 86 SVO, owned by Californian David Sandiford, which he was transforming into (his description) a Restomod. I followed his modifications closely, applying some of his suspension and brake modifications to my 85 1/2. Then, just after I retired, I saw his car on ebay, for sale by another owner. Intrigued, I followed the auction, and, much to my wife's horror, I purchased it in 2011, with 74,000 miles showing. The 85 1/2 is long gone, and in my 13 years ownership of the 86, I have added about 10,000 miles while fully rebuilding, the engine, turbo, transmission & air-conditioning, and installing 6 KYB competition shocks (about 2000 miles ago.)
These are the modifications made by original owner, Dave Sandiford, (which are still on the car):
DRIVETRAIN SUSPENSION OTHER
65mm Motorsport SVO Throttle Body Panhard Bar Rear Suspension 17x8 Konig wheels
Ported Upper Intake Tubular Rear Control Arms White face instruments
ATR 4-1 Stainless Steel Header H&R Progressive Springs Autometer A-pillar gauges
SVO Variable Cam Gear 4-point G-load Brace Schroth 4-point harness
3 Inch Downpipe Subframe connectors Hydraulic hood struts
Two-chamber Flowmasters Adjustable Camber/Caster Plates Cervini rear diffuser
Autonetics Cross-Drilled Rotors Street cage (no rear seat)
Turbo coupe Intercooler (I do not have a rear seat)
Compressor bypass Security system
Dash adjustable boost control HID headlights
K&N air filter Accel wires
Cold air intake Braided hoses
A clean CARFAX shows 4 previous owners to me, two in California, one in Georgia and one in Ohio. While I was assured by the Ohio ebay seller that the car ran perfectly, that was not the situation when delivered to me. A truly "no-expense spared" rebuild took place. One example is the head rebuild by Boport Racing heads, in Fremont, CA. A copy of that bill is in the photo section. Copies of all other bills are available, as well as mechanics' comments. Sandiford (original owner) had car repainted, I believe, in 2002, in its original Canyon Red. I would rate the paint a 3 to a 3+. Great looking at 3 feet, but the wear and tear of several owners plus 20,000 miles is evident upon close examination. The interior is above average; the only truly noticeable wear is a discolored dashboard from the California sun,. There is a small dashboard crack driver's side speaker grill. The original leather covered steering wheel is rough in the usual hand held spots. The A/C is new. The only non-operational item is the cassette player of the original radio. Radio itself works fine, as do all the speakers.
My goal for the car was to have my heirs dispose of it. Unfortunately, ill health prevented me from its use for much of the last four hyears, and another forthcoming operation prompts its sale. The new owner will have a truly exceptional car, almost certainly a one of a kind.