Description
We are truly delighted to have collected this wonderful Rover P5B Saloon from Scotland - without doubt the finest Rover P5 saloon we have ever encountered in over 30 years of selling classics. This car is very special in so many respects, not only in its condition, low mileage, history and provenance, but also because of a strong connection with our company, having sold the car to its previous owner 24 years ago, shortly after our relocation from Huddersfield to Malton, North Yorkshire. When we sold the car in 1999 the sale price agreed was £3750 and in the words of the last owners wife, ‘my husband wanted to own a classic Rover P5 and after much searching and disappointments we found his dream at Grundy Mack and a charming young gentleman named Nick Szkiler sold us an Arden Green 3. 5 ltr Saloon for £3, 750 with the warning that it was ok, but it would never win prizes and for the next few years we travelled all over the country going to shows and sightseeing’
Having used the car for several years, the time came for a major restoration and the owner decided to undertake what was a no-expense-spared rebuild which was completed to the highest of standards. The car was dismantled and a skilled coachbuilder and painter stripped the bodyshell, fitting various new panels and remanufacturing all the panels and door metalwork that were not then available from specialists like JR Wadhams. The Rover was taken back to bare metal, then carefully primed and completely re-painted after the panel work was completed. The chromework was all renewed by Cumbria Platers, the Viking logo was gold plated and the car and the road wheels were re-furbished before a set of new tyres with attractive white bands were fitted. The Rover was also mechanically overhauled, a totally rebuilt SD1 engine was fitted (the original engine is with the car if required) and the gearbox rebuilt. Since completion, this gem has never once broke down and has proven to be completely reliable, covering over 20, 000 miles since restoration. The couple travelled extensively in the car, and it won many prizes including the David Basche award for ‘Best Restored P5'. At the Scottish All Rover Rally it won ‘Car of the Show' and many times it won ‘Best in Class' at events in Yorkshire, Seaburn, Glamis Castle and Moffat. The car was also runner up at the Champion of Champions Event in Fife. The Rover has toured the UK, one memorable trip included the Isle of Man, but sadly a final plan for a tour of Italy and the Amalfi coast had to be cancelled due to the 2020 pandemic. Now its long term owner has passed, and were humbled to receive an e-mail offering us this magnificent car with the message: ‘I note that the Grundy Mack name has changed but the premises are the same and the nice young gentleman is now company chairman and probably his son a Director, it would appear that our car was not the only thing to improve in the intervening years and whether you are interested in the car or not I wish you continued success and thank you for the many wonderful trips and years of happy motoring you introduced to us'.
Adding further to the provenance of this fabulous example is the fact we have the full history from new. This 74, 000 warranted miles from new Rover was supplied and first registered on the 11th March 1970 to a Colonel George Taylor in Huddersfield. He kept the P5B for 15 years, and in 1985 it was sold to a gentleman in Warwickshire with 36, 873 miles. In 1992 the car sold for the third time, coming back to Huddersfield with 38285 miles from new. Used for rallies and shows for a number of years, the car came to us in 1996 for the first time at 45, 113 miles and we sold it again to one of our customers in Jersey who then part exchanged it back with us in 1999. At the time we sold it in 1999 to its recent owners, the mileage was 49392. A detailed log of maintenance throughout the 1980's and 1990's is supported by many invoices, and thousands of pounds worth of receipts detail the restoration and maintenance of this cherished P5B over the past 23 years. There are also MOT certificates and many rosettes from the various events and shows making up two large comprehensive history folders which chronicle the cars story from new.
Not only is the appearance first class, the documentation is comprehensive. It is a unique car in terms of condition and has both a charming story and great history. The bodywork is truly outstanding, the paintwork of show quality, as is the chrome work and the engine bay detail is simply fabulous. The interior still retains so much originality being a low ownership, low mileage car and boasts lots of patina. It really is a wonderful example and that is evidenced by the multiple awards and accolades it has achieved. On the road the P5B doesn't disappoint, 24, 000 reliable miles since 1999, around 20, 000 since the engine rebuild/ restoration and every moment driving this car over the past more than 23 years has been enjoyed. It's a delight on the road, having been superbly maintained. It is comfortable, with excellent road holding, sharp brakes and a superb performance from the 3. 5 V8 engine with a smoothly changing automatic gearbox. This really is one of those unrepeatable finds. A sensational P5B 3. 5 litre saloon with an amazing history, low miles, low ownership and a top class restoration to show standard. This is a very special Rover of a quality we're unlikely to find again. The historic values of these luxury British saloon cars mean that very few P5s have been restored to this standard, the cost of which would today be astronomical, probably at least 3 times the asking price. What a find!
