Description
This stunning Rover Speed 14 Streamline Coupe must be one of the most elusive and attractive Rovers ever produced and is an incredibly rare survivor.
Supplied by Henley's of London it was first registered BUF470 on 17th June 1935 in Lewes, Sussex. The first owner was one Sidney James Peira-Carva (Perry) of 18, Alexandra Villas in Brighton. Finished in the stunning and perhaps unique combination of of Limestone over oxford blue leather upholstery and matching blue wheels.
It must have been a striking machine on the streets of pre war Brighton. With centre lock rudge hubs, a built-in freewheel on the gearbox and those incredibly impressive triple bronze bodied SU Carburettors feeding the lusty overhead valve straight six it went as well as it looked. With a full compliment of gauges and controls in the centre of the beautiful woodrimmed dash and mellow and inviting leather seats this was a gentleman's sporting carriage to be proud of and one which would cut a dash no matter what the company.
Being such a rare and attractive car ensured the BUF470 remained in the possession of a string of collectors throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s always well maintained with work being undertaken as required to ensure it remained in good roadworthy condition. By the early 1980s the then owner, Andrew McGovern replaced the rear of the timber frame where necessary and undertook much re-chroming on the car before selling it in 2003. It was acquired by Tony Atkins who had the engine professionally rebuilt and the car rewired. He also gave BUF a bare metal respray in it's original Rover Limestone.
Subsequent to this work the car was displayed at the Goodwood Revival before being sold via Andrew Booth of Orchid Cars to the current owner in 2007.
The vendor, an Italian collected the car from Andrew one frosty morning in March 2007 with a friend and after a brief visit to a classic car show at the NEC they proceeded to drive BUF470 all the way through Europe to its new home as part of his private museum near Milan in Northern Italy. To undertake such a journey shows the confidence both the vendor and new owner had in the car and the fact that it made the journey without missing a beat shows what wonderful long distance tourers these magnificent Rovers really are.
Recently returned to the UK and re-registered with it's original 1935 number it is now ready to find a new home for the next chapter after almost two decades being pampered in Northern Italy. Still in fine fettle and looking as striking as ever.
One of just a handful of survivors (just four are believed to exist with this specification) and the only one known to have this distinctive and eye catching colour combination from a limited original production run, BUF470 must remain one of the most exclusive, attractive and desirable of all Rovers produced either pre or post war.
