Descripción
This is just lovely on every level. The subject of an older yet substantially documented rolling rebuild and bare metal restoration around 25 years ago, this fabulous P4 presented in Smoke Grey with Red leather interior has evidently been used and enjoyed by active Club members since covering some 40, 000 miles backed up by a large maintenance file and regular MoT inspections. As well-sorted classics go, this definitely one to recommend and the perfect example if you seek a nicely mellowed car with terrific provenance.
Introduced in 1949 by the Rover Company, the P4 was a range of luxury, mid-size saloon cars and were given a number designation dependent upon the engine size. With styling based on the 1947 Studebaker, it was a complete departure from the outdated P3 model with the initial 75 model featuring a central headlight earning it the nickname of Cyclops. This proved unpopular and the front grille was soon revised to a more traditional layout. Early cars (the 75) benefitted from a 2103cc 6-cylinder engine but others soon followed with the advent of the 60 (a 4-cylinder 1997cc) and the 90 (a 2103cc with higher compression). As the range developed through the 1950`s, other models were introduced and the car was significantly restyled in 1954 with larger boot, three-piece wraparound rear window and revised light clusters. In September 1959, the top-end 90 and 105 models were replaced with the 100, boasting an all-new 7 bearing 2638cc inline 6-cylinder engine and the ability to achieve a genuine 100MPH. Still very much regarded as a luxury saloon with some notable owners (Grace Kelly for one), leather and wood adorned the cabin whilst a heater, overdrive on 4th gear and servo assisted Girling brakes all came as standard.
Our car was supplied new in February 1961 by Grose Ltd. of Northampton to a business in Kettering, being purchased some 3 years later by one of the company Directors. The Rover remained in Kettering with two subsequent keepers before heading via Derby to Penn in Buckinghamshire where it was acquired, in the late 1990`s, by evidently a very enthusiastic Rover owner. From May 1998 through to May 2011, his custodianship is fully documented with the majority of work being undertaken either by Rover or Land Rover specialists and parts supplied principally by Bartram Land Rovers of Accrington, Lancashire. Notable highlights include a gearbox rebuild, replacement clutch and significant re-chroming (1998), unleaded head conversion, reconditioned speedo, new dynomo and exhaust manifold (2000), complete front suspension overhaul with new cones, bushes and anti-roll bars (2002), steering joints and links replaced, new fuel pump and reconditioned clock (2003), rear suspension overhaul with new springs, bolts and rubbers (2004), new clutch and front shock absorbers (2005), body restoration to include new rear valance, new rear wings and boot floor and back to bare metal repaint in Smoke Grey (2005 and fully photographed), rebuilt dynamo, new control box, exhaust and rear brakes (2006). This list is by no means exhaustive and doesn’t include many service entries and sundry items over this period. In 2011, the car was sold to another enthusiast near Sheerness in Kent who continued to use the services of Bartram Land Rovers with a quantity of invoices evident for various sundry parts over the next 5 years. Thereafter the trail goes cold for several years with very few miles covered, re-emerging in October 2019 now with a fresh MoT Certificate and in the hands of a Rover P4 Drivers Guild Club Member in Newton Abbot, Devon. A month later it was subsequently sold to a classic car collector in nearby Cheriton Bishop and has remained there until just 2 weeks ago, the Rover being acquired by us as an estate purchase, the owner sadly passing away some 2 years ago. Prior to the owner`s death, the car had been very much enjoyed with further bills and receipts documenting significant expenditure to braking systems including the fitting of a servo, upgrading to electronic ignition and a replacement heavy duty front anti-roll bar. Since purchasing the car, we have undertaken a full health check and deep clean and polish.
The Rover presents just as in the photographs. Bodywork is genuinely superb and Smoke Grey paintwork virtually without a blemish. Quite astonishing for a car that was restored some 20 years ago but reflective of the quality of the restoration work undertaken at that time. Chrome has a little light pitting indicative of age whilst all trim and glass is excellent. The cabin tells much the same story with the original Red hide interior in fabulous order and benefits from the original matching Red door-cards and carpets. All wood including dashboard surround, glove box and door cappings are evidently unrestored and in superb order whilst a full toolkit is present in its slider beneath the glove box itself. Turn the key and the inline-6 fires immediately into life settling down quickly off-choke to a whisper-quiet purr. On the road the Rover feels just as it should with steady acceleration, predicable handing and excellent brakes thanks to recent work and servo-assistance. On a bright April afternoon, I took the P4 out for a trip across the West Dorset Downs and it made me smile all the way. These are superbly built cars and ooze quality. Still very under-rated today and under-valued in my opinion but the market is beginning wake up.
Our car comes with a substantial box of history to include the original Buff log-book and Heritage Certificate, a vast quantity of bills and receipts from 1998-2011 documenting what was a comprehensive rebuild with photographs of body restoration, hand-written notes from the same period, further invoices from 2011-2015 and again from 2019-2022, old MoT Certificates from 1991-2019, old tax discs from 1999-2014, an original Workshop Manual, Parts Catalogue and Instruction Manual, current V5C and 2 sets of keys.
A superb and properly restored example of a very British classic. Great provenance too.
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.
