Rover’s last pre-war saloon was a rather grand old thing – a classy saloon with either a four or six-light body, it was quite compact for the luxury on offer, yet elegantly styled and a cut above most of its contemporaries in quality, comfort, performance… and price.
The “P2” in six-light format, as seen here, would have set you back almost twice what you’d have paid for a similar Morris back in the day, when Rover was a genuine premium brand.
This car has a heck of a tale to tell. It was with one family until 1993, and spent 34 years off the road. It’s now a near-concours car and a multiple prize-winner. But first, the amazing backstory…a1.jpeg1.18 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Original sales receipt for £270
Buff logbook with all previous keeper details
Workshop manual
Photographic record of restoration
Laid up from 1959 to 1993
UK V5C and new MOT on sale
In February 1937, John Stirling of Cumbernauld (at the time a village and not the new town it is today) walked into Taggart’s of Glasgow and ordered himself a brand-new Rover 14 light saloon, for the princely sum of £270 – a lot of money back then, equivalent to many folks’ annual salaries.
Upon his death, the car was passed on to his nephew, Robert Stirling, who used the car until 1959 when he replaced it with a new, more frugal Morris Minor. The Rover was placed in a barn on the family’s property and it stayed there until discovered by an enthusiast in 1993, who persuaded the Stirling family to sell it.
He then had the car professionally restored and it returned to the road in 1996, after a 37-year lay-up. It won a concours competition first-time out. Included are two photo albums showing the car as-found and during its rebuild.
It has had four or five owners since, but has been beautifully preserved. The vendor bought it 11 years ago and intended to keep it forever, but after a double hip replacement he struggles to get in and out so easily and has reluctantly put it up for sale. a5.jpeg979.07 KB
THE INTERIOR
Retrimmed where needed but sympathetically completed
Five-dial dash
Sunroof and luggage nets
Trimmed in rich brown leather with light walnut veneers and a smart five-dial dash, the Rover is a luxurious and elegant car inside and is presented in superb condition.
It had some trim work carried out during its restoration but in a sympathetic manner to save as much as possible, including the overhead luggage nets, headlining, most of the door trims and seat facings.
It’s incredible to think that this car was restored 26 years ago – or longer ago than most cars even survive. That’s because it’s still in pretty much perfect condition, give or take a couple of very tiny paint blemishes. There’s no rust to be seen anywhere and the underside is spotless, the chassis still coated in protective black paint.
The panels are all superb, the chrome is excellent and the Rover ‘Viking’ radiator cap/bonnet ornament is a lovely period addition. a2.jpeg2.1 MB
THE MECHANICS
50psi oil pressure at idle
Rebuilt 1577cc OHV engine
Four-speed manual
Freewheel system
Runs and drives perfectly
It has a four-speed manual transmission with a freewheel system, and there’s even a manual explaining how to use it.
The engine was fully remanufactured at a cost of over £8,000 by Chris Whitehead from the Rover Sports Register, who is renowned for his knowledge of the pre-war Rover units. It runs perfectly and returns great oil pressure – 50psi at idle.a4.jpeg1.12 MB
SUMMARY
This is a wonderful example of one of the highest quality and most upmarket pre-war cars, presented in absolutely wonderful condition and with an incredible history behind it. It really is a credit to its current owner, and those who have preserved it during its second life, as well as to the enthusiast who extracted it from its slumber in 1993. It’s wonderful.
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