Shipping & Logistics: For UK-based buyers, the vendor has secured competitive, fixed-rate shipping via VA Auto Traders: £1,295 for cars and £595 for motorcycles. This offer applies to all vehicles sold by this vendor during the current ‘Blaauwbank Collection’ auctions.

Global Shipping: International delivery options are also available. Please contact [email protected] for a bespoke expert quote.

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

This 1960 Rover P5 3L Mk1 forms part of the carefully curated Blaauwbank collection that includes an eclectic mix of multi-generational cars, a selection of rare and interesting vehicles, carefully stored in purpose-built, climate-controlled dry storage hangars, located in the arid climate of Central South Africa.

The impeccably engineered and built P5 was the preserve of politicians, doctors, solicitors and, as it turns out, professors too. This remarkable time warp survivor was owned by a 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

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
Unrestored and as-seen
Sits on steel wheels with chrome hub caps and white banded tyres
Has spent its entire life in Pretoria at 1,800m above sea level
Original grey leather interior with blue piping
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

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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