America, fast – Part four

The initial damage estimate for my SD1-meets-pickup-on-the-highway incident was several multiples of the dollar amount I paid to purchase the car. But I also meant it when I told Jay Leno I had ‘fucking great insurance.’ After all, I had insured the Rover not for market value, but for replacement cost.

For the payout I’d get from a total loss, I could buy a concours-condition twin-plenum Vitesse. Sadly, emissions-strict California would never allow it to be driven here.

Passing a smog test wasn’t a problem with my North American-spec SD1. And besides, it was a fully functioning, rust-free, 60k-mile, 5-speed manual unicorn. And a Series 1, which I’ve always considered to be prettier – especially inside. And so I made the decision that even if Hagerty (my insurer) wouldn’t pay out enough to fix the car, I would make up the difference.