Rover P6 3500S Manual

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Introduced in 1963, the P6 was the sixth and the last of the famous 'P' series Rovers to reach production. Designed by David Bache and looking positively futuristic compared to earlier models, it was an engineering tour de force and was immediately voted European Car of the Year.

It also won awards for safety, thanks to its carefully designed passenger cell and advanced unibody design with non-stressed panels bolted to a strong unit frame. Other features included de Dion tube rear suspension, bell-cranked front suspension for a roomy engine bay, four-wheel disc brakes (inboard at the rear), a fully-synchromesh transmission and individual rear ‘bucket’ seats.

Initially the P6 was only available with a 104bhp 2-litre engine but in April 1968 a much more powerful 3.5-litre V8 version was launched. Top of the range was the 3500S, launched in 1970 with an all-synchro 4-speed manual gearbox and 152bhp. With fine handling and a 0-60 dash of 9 seconds and a top speed of 123mph, it could outpace most other saloons and quickly became a favourite with the motorway police and the Flying Squad. The P6 remained in production until 1976 when it was replaced by the ‘flying wedge’ SD1.

Supplied new by Hardacres Garage of Lydney in March 1972, this 3500S has had just two owners from new, the current since 1996, and has covered only 62,100 miles to date. The original Passport to Service book has seven stamps up to 16,500 miles in October 1974 and a good sheaf of invoices attest to regular maintenance since. 17 old MOTs show that it has only covered 3,000 miles since 1994, mainly on classic runs with the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury which it seems to have done regularly until 2012, judging by the number of ‘Finishers Certificates’ on file.

The last MOT expired in September 2017 with just a couple of advisories and the car has been kept in storage since. Starting promptly and running nicely as we moved it around for these photos, it comes with all its original handbooks in the original wallet and a Heritage Certificate.