The Rover P5/P5B

[Styria]

Apologies in advance for creating this thread. I have done so for the reason of having some pictorial evidence relating to the under bonnet components, sections of the interior as well as pictorial evidence of what is certainly a well presented car exterior wise, and now for sale over in England. Initially, please look at the pictures as shown hereunder:



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...odel=P5&page=1

Taking a closer look, the under bonnet appearance is a little disappointing. It is obviously all very original, but that does not necessarily make it more attractive. I am quite interested in the location of the various components, as I am restoring three of the P% models. There is of course the Mark IIA & IIB (1963-1964), the Mark IIC (1965) and also the Mark III for the years 1966 and 1967. All of those models are remarkable in that many specifications vary greatly, starting from engine gearbox components, to under bonnet fittings, as well as completely different interiors. One needs to be familiar with the cars and the various models. At this stage, I have not even mentioned the P5B model from 1968 to 1973. A completely different car.

The car in question for sale in this article, shows an absolutely beautifully kept interior, although the carpets do show signs of shabbiness. The leather is great, and it and the magnificent interior make this car quite special. I will endeavour to speak a little more about my cars in due course, as part of this thread. Hope you enjoy. Regards Styria

[c107]

I think these are an under appreciated car, especially the coupe. The sedan probably suffers a bit because the coupe exists and it's always compared.

I think the two tone paintwork suit the car. The images from the Link styria provided for those who don't want to click on it.

[Styria]

This particular car has been up for sale for a long time. I am not sure if it is fitted with the V8 3.5 litre Rover engine, or an original 6 cylinder Mark III of 1966/67 vintage. I daresay it must be the V8, as it was the Toyota manual transmission that was used for most conversations. I am a little confused as it has a Mark III radiator grille, but everything else points to V8.

I think this could be a nice car - you'd probably have to spend money on the interior, but appearance wise it certainly presents quite beautifully. The pictures tend to illustrate just now stylish these cars can be. Regards Styria

http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=41065&country=au

N.B. Definitely a Mark III - I was not aware that any Toyota gearboxes were fitted to the 6 cylinder engine.

[c107]

Supra gearboxes are apparently easy to adapt to old british cars and there is a company who makes adaptor plates for them. Half the Jag Mk2's for sale these days have Supra's to replace the old MOSS gearbox.

The other common choice is the tremec

[Styria]

A very nice Mark III 4 speed manual with overdrive - very, very rare, with a nice interior (judging by pics, and a nice colour combination. Underpriced at what the owner is asking for. Regards Styria

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rove...5017248007862/

[c107]

Originally Posted by Styria

A very nice Mark III 4 speed manual with overdrive - very, very rare, with a nice interior (judging by pics, and a nice colour combination. Underpriced at what the owner is asking for. Regards Styria

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rove...5017248007862/

Looks nice. Sounds like it needs mechanical work though:

[c107]

A few more reviews:

Motor Sport magazine, October 1966:

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...6/66/older-men

Rover P5 3 Liter Mk III Coupe

OLD age is a miseralsle business, as the late Somerset Maugham so graphically explained. Sight and hearing are impaired, the palate wearies, you tire quickly and are beset by ailments. You continue to look at women but they do not look at you. Approaching this unhappy state reactions slow and you tend to drive slowly along in the middle of the road, obstructing others—although I note that this is also a habit of many drivers but half my age. . . .

These thoughts were brought on when, going to Rover's London depot to collect for test a 2000TC, I was given instead a 3-litre Mk. III.

.....

Within, though, it is mighty comfortable and very fully equipped in a notably individualistic style. The leather-upholstered seats are particularly restful, the gears can be changed quite pleasantly by a central lever, reverse safeguarded by a press-button in the lever-knob. Bottom gear whines, the others are quiet. This 4-speed transmission is supplemented by overdrive controlled by a l.h. steering-column stalk, but this is not effective on a trailing throttle, nor is it possible to get overdrive to disengage at small throttle openings. This is mildly inconvenient and I prefer positive selection, if one must have o/d at all.

.....

In a country in which speed is officially discouraged I think there is quite a lot to be said for motoring in quiet and comfort. The 3-litre Rover is extremely comfortable, in its own characteristic style, while its degree of hush must be close to that of the World's most expensive luxury cars—yet it -costs only just over £2,000.

There is a saloon version for bulky people or people who crave a bulkier car, but the low-roofed coupe has adequate room in its rear compartment, With separate-type seatings, for two people, and another on the arm-rest, and there is an enormous boot with the spare wheel in a wind-down container under its floor.

It was when I came to go quickly in the 3-litre Rover that my enthusiasm diminished. I have never liked Hydrosteer power-assisted steering and while that on the car from Solihull was better than that of the only 4-litre R-type Vanden Plas I have driven, it was far from perfect. Visibility to the near-side was restricted, the servo-assisted Girling disc/drum brakes were spongy and not very reassuring, and the degree of roll on corners, even before the 6.70 X 15 Dunlop RS5s protested, was not to my liking. Maybe I really am senile, for several of my friends whom I regard as discerning drivers lover their 3-litre Rovers, or profess to. To me, however, this big Rover seems to be an inexpensive luxury car for the older motorist. . .

[c107]

Rover P5 Classic Review:

https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/n...budget-tempter

These are big luxurious cars – big enough to carry four six-footers in comfort - much favoured by the former Queen Mother in the UK, who is said to have ordered two when she heard manufacture was about to cease.

The people who bought them tended to be professionals and middle managers – they were a step down from a Rolls-Royce but were nevertheless an indulgence.

[c107]

Very original MK III Manual overdrive coupe with webasto sunroof

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C788155

[Styria]

Hi C107, congratulations on finding and featuring this Mark III Manual with Overdrive. Not only is it very, very rare but, believe it or not, it is exactly the same colour scheme as my Mark IIa that I am restoring, and that I bought back in about 1971. This car has the sliding sunroof exactly the same as mine, and it also sports the very rare optional rear deadrests (which I don't have). In addition, the front seats between Mark 3 and Mark 2a are decidedly different. Mark 2s have their own individual arm rests, and are differently shaped.

Here is one picture that is readily available within my system. It depicts the car in its original White, which was the colour when I bought it and before I decided to change the colour to Admiralty Blue and Slate Grey roof.


Regards Styria

N.B. My apologies - by the time this pic was taken, I already had the bottom half of the car re-sprayed in Jaguar Lavender Blue. By Golly. did I not love that colour. The number plate - DTZ 432 - is still in my possession, but has never been set aside. On the radiator grille, one can also see a Lagonda badge, as well as an Aston Martin badge. The little boy in front of the car is my oldest, Richard, who now works for a well known Computer Company, in his role of 2 iC for Australia and the general Pacific Region. He is off to China and Taiwan next week. I do have some more pics of that car, but will need to fetch them - and the bike ? It is my Montesa 250cc Cappra Motocrosser which I used to race - albeit somewhat unsuccessfully.

[c107]

Originally Posted by Styria

Here is one picture that is readily available within my system. It depicts the car in its original White, which was the colour when I bought it and before I decided to change the colour to Admiralty Blue and Slate Grey roof. by the time this pic was taken, I already had the bottom half of the car re-sprayed in Jaguar Lavender Blue. By Golly. did I not love that colour. The number plate - DTZ 432 - is still in my possession, but has never been set aside.

I think you made the right choice changing from the white to the admiralty blue. The colour scheme of the MKIII is rather dignified and I don't think white suits the P5 - especially the coupe with the large painted areas compared to windows etc. Good to see the photo from way back when and that you still have the original number plate, now a piece of history associated with the car. Photo must be a fair while ago for your son to be so young.

BTW: I think the P5 3 liters look good with a set of period lucas driving lights, like the LHD one above (although I would go with the smaller ones). Looks better than the P5B with the attached lights,