Descrizione
The subject of a fully-photographed recommissioning exercise in June-July 2021 with bills and receipts exceeding £7600, this fabulous P5 3-litre is astonishing value. Not only that, but with a genuine 68, 500 miles recorded and practically full history from new, it represents a superb opportunity to acquire a properly sorted British classic with great provenance. Presented in freshly repainted Bordeaux Red with Cream Hide, this early Mk. III oozes substance and style and would look equally at home on a long distance road trip as it would the show field. Come and see for yourself.
Introduced in 1958, the Rover P5 was an all-new model for the company, a large luxury saloon affording elegance with dignity, a traditional, well-appointed interior and more than adequate performance from a 2995cc inline 6-cylinder engine producing 115BHP. In 1962, the Mk. II entered production with the same engine now producing 129BHP and featuring improved suspension. But the biggest news of 1962 was the Autumn launch of a 4-door Coupe, a sporting brother to the saloon, with roofline chopped by 2. 5 inches, thinner B pillars and Hydrosteer power-assisted steering fitted as standard. Three years later, the Mk. III made an entrance with more power again and a revised interior, but this was just a warm-up act for what was to come. In September 1967, the P5B and the final incarnation of the line, hit the roads featuring an aluminium Buick-sourced 3528cc V8 engine developing close on 160BHP mated to a Borg-Warner Type 35 automatic gearbox. With bold 3. 5 litre badging, a pair of fixed front fog lights and chrome Rostyle wheels with painted black inserts, the P5B looked as good as it performed and caught the eye of both royalty and high-ranking government ministers.
Our car was supplied new in November 1966 to a businessman in West Byfleet. He retained the Rover for 18 years with evident regular servicing - the Owners Maintenance Manual documenting 9 entries, mainly with the Rover Motor Co., from 1967 to 1981. Recorded mileage at this last service was showing as 60, 607 miles. In February 1984, the car was sold to a gentleman in Wallington where it remained for 3 years before being sold to two short-term keepers in Horsham and Hunstanton respectively. In May 1988, it moved again to Kings Lynn where it resided for the next 12 years followed by a further 12-year stay in Bourne, Lincolnshire. In January 2012, the Rover was purchased by an Indian restauranteur from Birmingham and it was from this point on that the real investment started. Whilst not fully documented, bodywork was evidently restored (principally door skins and wings) and the car received a partial repaint. It was subsequently laid up in dry storage for a number of years until June 2021 when it was rolled out into the daylight and moved to the workshops of Modern Classics Restorations of Brierley Hill. The following 7 weeks saw a documented 222 hours of labour alone committed to going through the car from bumper to bumper on what was a substantial re-commissioning exercise. The work was extensive and included minor repairs to inner sills and jacking points, full engine overhaul to include head gasket replacement, all new hoses, replaced cooling system, carburettor rebuild, all new ignition system, fuel tank overhaul and full braking system rebuild. The majority of parts were obtained from J R Wadhams Ltd of Stourbridge and run to almost £2300 alone with the total invoice for work being presented to Mr. Patel on the 31st July 2021 in the sum of £7676. During the course of renovation, detailed photographs were taken (around 200 in total) and these are saved on a USB stick. All paid up, Modern Classics were then asked to sell the Rover and an advertisement duly appeared in the classic car classifieds and social media with an asking figure of £13, 500. With a recorded mileage now showing of 68, 464 miles, the car was offered with a fresh 12-month MoT Certificate with no Advisory Notes. In September, a classic car enthusiast and collector from Lancashire saw the Rover and after some negotiation (a price of £11, 500 was paid) drove the car to it`s new home in Leyland. As with any recently recommissioned car, there is always some fettling to do and our new owner soon decided to upgrade to suspension with Spax adjustable units, fit new tyres, replace the boot seal and fit a new starter solenoid. The Rover was subsequently used and enjoyed for local shows and events and only recent ill-health has resulted in a reluctant down-scaling of the car collection and the ultimate disposal of the P5. We were fortunate enough to acquire it and recognising just how good an example it was, decided to complete the exercise with a complete respray in the original Bordeaux Red bringing in panels such as the boot and bonnet that had previously not been painted. Understandably these panels had picked up numerous scratches over the years and stood out against the doors and wings painted around 10 years ago.
Today, the Rover presents just as seen in the photographs. Fresh paintwork on a crisp, rust-free body has taken the car up to the next level and is complimented by excellent chrome, glass and trim. Inside, the cabin too is very nice with professionally cleaned carpets and over-mats, retreated cream leather trim, excellent door cards and tidy wood trim and dashboard. Despite the detailed clean, the Rover still retains that wonderful old car smell - if only they could bottle it! Turn the key and the inline 6-cylinder fires immediately into life and soon settles to a gentle purr. On the road, the Rover is a joy with plenty of power, smooth and precise gear-changes, excellent brakes and wonderfully neutral handling. All of this is indicative of a cherished car and indeed one that has experienced significant investment in very recent years. My son and I took the Rover for an afternoon jaunt across the West Dorset Downs towards Beaminster and loved every second. It is so smooth, quiet and refined.
The car comes with extensive history from new including stamped-up Owners Maintenance Manual, Instruction Manual, Owners Club literature, a full folder of receipts for work undertaken in June-July 2021, a USB stick with over 200 photographs covering the same period, a documented history of ownership to the present day, sundries bills and receipts for recent work and a current V5C. It is naturally both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A properly sorted British classic with fantastic history and provenance.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
Deposit now taken.
