Rover P5B Coupe

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Launched at the 1958 Motor Show, the P5 Saloon marked a new departure for Rover as it employed a monocoque construction rather than the separate chassis of the old P4.

Dubbed the ‘middle class Rolls-Royce’, the P5B version produced from 1967 until 1973 had a larger Buick-derived 3.5-litre V8 under the bonnet in place of the original 3-litre six and really gave the car the go to match the show. With 160bhp and plenty of effortless grunt under his right foot, the chauffeur could waft his passengers to 110mph and crack 60 in under 11 seconds, even with the mandatory auto box. 

For the more caddish toffs, Rover also produced the P5B in four-door coupe style with a slightly lower roof-line, slimmer chromed window surrounds, twin-armchair rear seats and additional dash instruments, this being the most collectable variant today. Some 20,600 P5Bs were sold before production came to an end in 1973, with just 9,000 being in the desirable Coupe style.

First registered in August 1973, this Coupe is one of the last made and has had just four owners from new, the second of whom kept it for 27 years (1989 – 2016). It was restored in the late 1990s and although much of the history file went missing when the then-owner died, the results speak for themselves: over 20 years on and it still looks great!

Recently fitted with a new steering box, it sailed through its MOT in August with no advisories recorded. Said to drive as well as it looks, it is showing only 84,000 miles on the clock which is believed to be correct. This is a peach of a P5B and it could be a while before you see another as good for sale as owners tend to hang onto them. So if you have ever fancied one, bid vigorously now or kick yourself for your hesitancy hereafter…