Opis
A genuine survivor and extraordinarily original. With comprehensive history from new (essentially 2-family owned until 10 years ago) and just 39, 750 miles recorded, this fabulous P6 in Mexico Brown with Bronze Hide is the real deal with absolutely nothing to hide. A regular on the local show scene through 2025, the car drives beautifully having been the subject of considerable recent fettling. Great value too.
Announced in October 1963, the P6 was seen as being a “clean sheet” for Rover and a complete departure from the P4 model it was set to replace. Intended to bridge the gap between the small 1500cc saloons and the much larger 3 litre offerings from manufacturers such as Wolseley and Vauxhall, the P6 with it`s angular styling and all-new 1978cc engine was set to appeal to young professionals seeking something modern without the big car running costs. Very advanced for it`s time, the P6 featured de Dion tube suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and a manual transmission with full synchromesh whilst designer David Bache drew heavily on the sculptured lines of the Citroen DS in creating a distinctive car with pointed nose, high flanks and fashionable Kamm tail. Early models were met with great enthusiasm from the target market of younger Rover buyers with little competition in this sector. The newly developed engine whilst just 104BHP was designed with Britain`s new motorways in mind, able to cruise at relatively high speeds for long periods of time thanks to “square dimensions” where cylinder bore and stroke are effectively the same. This was almost unique at the time. In 1966, the P6 underwent a minor facelift coinciding with the introduction of a twin-carburettor model - the 2000TC which also benefitted from a redesigned top end providing more power and even higher cruising ability. Officially launched at the London Motor Show in October 1966, the popularity of the TC was further heightened by the promoted testing of the car`s abilities on the Rally of Great Britain. By 1968, the buying public were seeking more power and it was somewhat a foregone conclusion what would happen next. Owning the rights to Buick`s 3. 5 litre all-aluminium V8, this was shoe-horned into the P6 and overnight, the 3500 became a huge success. Production of all engine variants carried on for a further 9 years with the Mk. II being introduced in 1970 bringing a revised bonnet, new rear lights and an updated interior with circular gauges and rotary switches. During 1973, changes to exhaust emission requirements in the US prompted Rover to increase engine capacity by 10% improving torque and minimising power loss - the 2200SC and 2200TC being officially launched in October that year.
Our Rover was supplied new on the 21st June 1973 through Charles Clark and Son Ltd. of Walsall to a local gentleman. Registered “14 FDH” from the dealership, the car was maintained by Charles Clark and enjoyed sparingly through the 1970`s and early 1980`s reputedly being dry stored for some 15 years thereafter owing to the long-term illness of the original owner. Apparently, his wife couldn`t bear to part with the car but after his death in December 1998 took steps to register the car in her name, remove the cherished plate and re-register on the number plate seen today. In March 1999 and enlisting the help of the P6 Drivers Club Secretary, the Rover with a recorded 30, 418 miles, was put up for sale and quickly found a new home with an active Club Member and keen enthusiast in Sandhurst, Berkshire. Our new keeper subsequently obtained a formal valuation from Club Secretary in which the car was described as an “excellent original” with a valuation of £6500. A strong price even in 1999. A few weeks later, the car was properly registered with the Club and so began a comprehensive paper-trail of bills and receipts documenting the next 9 years of meticulous ownership. Along with annual MoT inspections and servicing, the Rover was maintained with no expense spared. Notable work during this period included an overhaul of the cooling system with radiator, hoses and fan, replacement alternator, new door mirrors, replacement headlight and flasher unit, new tyres throughout and new battery. Possibly the largest job undertaken was in 2004 when a slipping clutch required removal of the engine, stripping down of the clutch itself and complete replacement with new flywheel, ring gear, exhaust manifold and all new gaskets and oils. In March 2008, on the sad death of our enthusiastic keeper, the car was inherited by his son who, living in Highgate, North London, decided to leave the Rover garaged at his mother`s house in Berkshire. Over the next 8 years, the car barely turned a wheel covering just 100 miles before ultimately being sold in September 2016 to a gentleman at nearby Burghfield Common. Whilst in his care, the car was substantially recommissioned and serviced with a full braking system overhaul to include all new calipers and pads, new clutch master cylinder, a rebuild of the carburettor, replacement fuel pump and all new ignition parts. After some 2, 000 miles covered, the Rover was sold again in 2020 to a long-standing Club Member in Ashtead, Surrey. It remained with him for a further 4 years albeit was hardly used with MoT Certificates documenting less than 100 miles before moving to Bournemouth in August 2024. This initial move to Dorset was short lived, the new keeper realising that the car was just too big for his garage and within just 4 months sold it to a friend and classic car enthusiast in nearby Poole. He retained the Rover for a few months and after replacing part of the exhaust system and a front wheel bearing, part exchanged the car against a vintage Alvis being marketed locally by a classic car mechanic and restorer. He subsequently undertook a full health check on the Rover and after enjoying it for a week or two, sold it to a very good customers of ours and another very hand-on classic car enthusiast. Since last summer, he has tinkered with the car and shown it extensively at local events culminating, with very recently, picking up the “Car of the Show” Award at a regular Weymouth gathering. The car is now only for sale again owing to the unplanned acquisition of another classic.
The Rover presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is just so original and from what we can see, the underside has never been welded. The actual structure and panel-fit is quite remarkable with all doors and boot closing easily with a soft clunk. Over the years, it has evidently had some minor paintwork whilst some of the factory paint displays light wear caused by years of polishing. But this is all part of it`s charm and story and to even partially repaint it would, in our opinion, be a great shame. All chrome is excellent as is glass and trim whilst all four wheels are shod with nearly new branded tyres and new hub caps (replaced in 2018). The same story of originality continues when you open the drivers` door with fabulous Bronze Leather trim, original door-cards with faux wood cappings, mid-brown carpets and factory head-lining all in excellent order. Only a little light wear to driver and passenger seat bases tells the story of some 50 years of gentle use and enjoyment. Sitting behind the over-sized steering wheel takes me back to the mid-1970`s and memories of going to school each morning in my father`s 2000 SC. Pure nostalgia. Turn the ignition key and the 1978cc 4-pot firers immediately into life settling down quickly off-choke to a quiet, yet purposeful tick over. On the road, the P6 feels smooth and refined and genuinely offers a driving experience that feels as if the car has just rolled out the showroom. Keen performance, light yet positive steering and excellent brakes inspire a spirited drive and with 104BHP on tap, this is no slouch, happy to cruise at motorway speeds where permitted. On a bright Saturday morning, I took the Rover out for a run across the West Dorset Downs towards Beaminster and enjoyed every minute. Having had a handful of P6`s in stock over the past 12 months, I have become very familiar with the driving experience and I must admit, they never fail to impress. Even in SC specification, they have the power and road manners of a much more contemporary car and could be used year-round on a daily basis if required.
Our Rover comes with comprehensive history from new including the original Passport to Service and Dealer Pack (Owner`s Manual, Instruction Manual and Dealer and Distributor Booklet), correspondence relating to it`s sale in March 1999 with Club Valuation and registration with the Club in May 1999, a full file of invoices and receipts documenting all work from 1999-2025, a large quantity of MoT Certificates from 1999-2024, a compression test undertaken in January 2025 confirming 170psi or above on all 4 cylinders, magazine articles and cuttings featuring the P6, old tax discs, a quantity of Club Magazines, a Haynes Manual, two Autobooks Workshop Manuals, old Registration Documents and a current V5C. The car also benefits from 3 sets of keys.
A fabulous, low-mileage P6 and just extraordinarily original. Lovely provenance too.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
Reservation fee now taken. Sorry.
