Description
1939 Rover P2 Saloon Project
Price Reduced to go ...
This Rover P2 is a Fantastic Opportunity to take this project the last few steps to completion
Lovingly restored to an exceptionally high standard – All the hard work has been completed – it just now requires the final few steps to complete this and build it into a magnificent Pre-War gem.
The entire car has been bare metal restored – with the doors, skirts, fenders, Arches and hood still to be prepared and painted – the chassis has been full and expertly restored. The motor and gearbox were fully stripped down and rebuilt, all brakes and lines have been restored / rebuilt.
The car was completely stripped down, with the chassis and body shot-blasted and repainted. The engine was overhauled and fitted with a new clutch, while the gearbox and rear axle were rebuilt with new seals and bearings. Shock absorbers were fully reconditioned, and all oil lubrication pipes replaced with new. The wheels were powder-coated and fitted with brand-new tyres and inner tubes.
All bodywork rust was cut out and replaced with fresh metal, leaving the car entirely rust-free. The running boards were re-fabricated, and both front and rear bumpers were re-chromed to original standard.
Substantial restoration records, photos and invoices available.
Yes, there is still much work to be done – but the hard work has been completed – the finishing work required is very manageable and should come together relatively quickly – Now the fun part begins – once the reassembly process starts – then this Rover P2 will starts to take shape –
Some History
The 1939 Rover P2 4-door saloon — both its general lineage and what makes the 1939 (pre-war) version interesting. This model is often referred to under its “P2” designation, which was the series name for Rover from 1937 to 1948. The P2 range included several different models distinguished by engine size, e. g. Rover 10, 12, 14, 16, 20.
Rover P2: The Series Overview
• Rover introduced the P2 series in 1937 to succeed its earlier P1 stable.
• The P2 line encompassed multiple engine variants under one shared chassis and body architecture: the Rover 10, Rover 12, Rover 14, Rover 16, and Rover 20.
• Production ran (with interruption for World War II) from about 1937 until 1948.
• The P2 models were considered fairly upmarket for their classes — they offered relatively refined features, good interiors, and mechanical niceties (for the time).
Because the P2 range covered different engine sizes, when someone says “1939 Rover P2 4-door saloon” they might be referring to a Rover 10 P2, Rover 12 P2, Rover 14 P2, or Rover 16 P2 variant (or even Ravers 20 in some rare cases). But many of the mechanical, stylistic, and historical traits are common across them, with variations in engine, performance, and trim.
1939 P2 4-Door Saloon — Technical & Design Features
Here’s what characterized the 1939 saloons in the Rover P2 family:
Body & Styling
• The 4-door saloon version was typically of the “six-light” or “six-window” design (i. e. three windows per side counting the rear quarter windows). Some variants (especially the “Sports Saloon”) had fewer side windows (4 lights).
• The body was fairly conservative and traditional — upright lines, a separate bonnet (hood) up front, running boards, and distinct fenders.
• By 1939, Rover offered disc-style wheels (i. e. pressed steel disc wheels) in addition to wire wheels, as an option.
• Interiors were typically well appointed — leather or good upholstery, fitted carpets, full instrumentation, and conveniences like a slide-out tool tray under the dash.
• The chassis also included automatic lubrication of chassis via Luvax-Bijur system, which helped maintain moving parts.
Mechanical / Engine / Transmission
Here are the mechanical highlights and changes for 1939 P2 saloon models:
• In 1939, synchro (synchronised gearing) was added to the top two gears (3rd and 4th) in many models, making gear changes easier.
• The freewheel mechanism was a Rover-patented feature. The freewheel allowed the car to coast (i. e. decouple the engine drive when needed) for smoother gear changes and fuel savings.
• Brakes were mechanical (rod-actuated) Girling brakes, fully compensated.
• A typical example: the Rover P2 12 4-door saloon (1939) has published specifications.
o Engine: 4-cylinder (for the 12 variant)
o Performance, weight, etc., as per period catalogues.
• For higher variants (e. g. 14, 16), they had 6-cylinder overhead-valve engines of larger displacement. For example, the Rover 14 P2 had a 1, 901 cc 6-cylinder engine.
Production & Variants
• The P2 series’ models were produced in various volumes depending on engine size and the war impact.
• Pre-war, the P2 was very much a contemporary car; wartime production largely ceased for civilian use.
• After the war, production resumed of selected P2s in modified form.
• Total numbers: for example, the Rover 12 P2 saw 11, 786 produced before the war and 4, 840 afterward.
Historical Context & Significance
• Rover, at this period, was trying to broaden its appeal beyond just niche or luxury vehicles; the P2 series was part of moving into more middle-market but still refined cars.
• The outbreak of World War II in 1939 had a deep effect: civilian car production was curtailed; Rover’s factories were repurposed for wartime work.
• Rover also contributed to other wartime and post-war technologies (notably aviation, and later jet engine technology).
• After the war, the Rover P2 line was gradually phased out in favour of newer designs (such as the P3 series)
Because of their combination of sophistication, quality, and moderate rarity (especially pre-war examples), P2 ‘s are sought-after today by classic and vintage car collectors.
