"For UK-based buyers, a highly competitive fixed-rate shipping quote has been secured for: £1,500 via Freight Factory for all cars sold by this seller on auction.
Global shipping options also available, contact [email protected] for estimated shipping quotes"

Highlights

Attractive and very original car in dark blue with grey leather interior
One owner for almost 60 years - a university professor fondly known as "Prof Rover"
Early Solihull-built example shipped to South Africa
Recently serviced with fluid changes

The Appeal

The impeccably engineered and built P5 was the preserve of politicians, doctors, solicitors and, as it turns out professors too. This remarkable timewarp survivor was owned by university professor for 60 years. It became so closely associated with him that he was known as ‘Professor Rover.’

The vendor, who has a large classic car collection, was fortunate enough to find and acquire the car from the Professor. Finished in dark blue with grey leather, it is a highly original car and one of the earliest P5s exported to South Africa.

The car has been dry stored by the current keeper and benefits from a life spent in the South African sun. It has been recently serviced ready for its new keeper.

The vendor says:

“Having spent the entirety of its life in the climes of Pretoria, at 1800M above sea level, the P5 is a dry state specimen with no rot or rust to be contended with.

“Being a very early car, this is the P5 to have; it has been cherished and is a survivor in the truest sense of the word, deserving of a 'new Professor.’

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1960 in South Africa
Single owner for almost 60 years
This keeper was a university economics professor at the University of Pretoria
Maintained and serviced shortly before the previous owner's passing
More recent major service and fluid change completed by the current keeper
Being sold from a large private collection
International shipping options available via Freight Factory at pre-negotiated rates of £1,500 from Cape Town to Felixstowe, UK

The vendor says:

“The subject car has a lovely back story, owned and cherished by a single University Professor for almost sixty years; the Prof was fondly known as Prof Rover by generation of students that had the opportunity to be lectured by him in Economics at the University of Pretoria. I was fortunate enough to find the Rover after it had been sold to a prominent classic car trader in Johannesburg.”

The Condition

Highly original and unmodified Mk1 in dark blue with well kept paintwork
Exterior has some light marks typical of an unrestored car of this age
Bodywork presents well with few indications of age as shown
Sits on steel wheels with chrome hub caps and white banded tyres
Chromework in good order with some light age to note
Has spent its entire life in Pretoria at 1,800m above sea level
Original grey leather interior with blue piping has nice patina while presenting well
The vendor states that the cabin has an airy feel we are told
Original features include extensive woodwork and side window wind defectors

The vendor says:

“The interior is lovely and airy, and maintains a patina of originality so often lost on restored cars, it truly is magnificent, and looking back at the P5, the world is a much poorer place for not having Rover producing cars anymore.”

The Mechanics

3.0 litre straight six Rover engine
4spd manual transmission with overdrive
The vendor informs us that the engine "runs as quiet as a sewing machine"
Recently received a major service and fluid change
Maintained and serviced shortly before the previous owner's passing

The vendor says:

“Shortly before the Profs passing much maintenance was carried out, and more recently I performed a fluid change and major service, the motor runs as quiet as a sewing machine.

“All of my cars have been carefully curated over many years, and dry stored in a custom-built facility, the arid heart of Central South Africa, far away from the ravages of coastal air.”

BEFORE YOU BUY

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