Rover 3500S

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Introduced in 1963, the P6 was the sixth and the last of the famous 'P' series Rovers to reach production.

Looking positively futuristic, it 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 massively strong unit frame. Other advanced features included a de Dion tube suspension at the rear, four wheel disc brakes (inboard at the rear) and a full-synchromesh transmission.

The original design had incorporated enough space to fit Rover’s amazing gas-turbine power plant. The compact front suspension used coil springs mounted horizontally on the bulkhead which gave oceans of under bonnet space, allowing the straightforward installation of Rover’s 3.5-litre V8 when that became available.

Top of the range was the 3500S, launched in 1970 which had an uprated 153bhp version of the engine. With fine handling and a top speed of 123mph, it quickly became a big favourite with the motorway police - and with the Flying Squad...

This well presented manual four-speed model has proved very reliable, its previous owner using it regularly for trips through France. There are a number of service bills on file along with 12 old MOTs showing that it has covered 9,500 miles since 2007. The interior has been fully retrimmed in cream leather and it is fitted with a face-off radio. Last serviced in April 2014, it was given a front brake overhaul at the same time and is MOTd until March 2015.

These V8 P6s look really good value at present, a situation which we feel is unlikely to continue for much longer, the range-topping manual 3500S being the pick of the crop.

Please note that the vendor has recently found the correct Rover workshop manual which is to be included in the sale.