Rover P6B 3500S V8 Manual Saloon

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Introduced in 1966, 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. 'One has the impression that the car was planned by engineers who are enthusiastic drivers and by stylists who put function before decoration, and the result is something of an object lesson to other manufacturers,' mused Motor magazine.

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, 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 P6B 3.5-litre V8 version was launched. This Buick-derived all-alloy engine (hence the ‘B’) weighed no more than the old unit but boosted power to 144bhp and could launch the car to 60mph in 10.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 114mph.

Top of the range was the 3500S, launched in 1970 with a strengthened all-synchro 4-speed manual gearbox (hence the ‘S’), twin power bulges in the bonnet and 161bhp. 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 big favourite with the motorway police and the Flying Squad. The P6 was finally replaced by the ‘flying wedge’ SD1 in June 1976, although such was the affection for the model that the 3500S remained in production until March 1977.

First registered in January 1975, this magnificent 3500S has had just one owner for virtually all its life, a gentleman who was given it as a company car from new, transferring it into his own name in July 1976 and keeping it right up until his death earlier this year, the V5 recording just three owners in total.

It has covered a mere 30,300 miles to date and remains in outstanding and highly original condition throughout, the only departures from standard being the fitment of power steering in 1978 and more recently a stainless steel exhaust, a new clutch and a new starter motor. Most of the mileage was accumulated in the first few years, the car being carefully preserved ever since, started and used regularly but covering minimal mileage between MOTs.

As clean underneath as it is on top, this very special car comes with a string of old MOTs to support the very low mileage and is currently on SORN with an MOT until April 2016. The vendor states that "this is as near to a new Rover 3500S as it is possible to get without commissioning a £30,000 rebuild of a lesser car". We challenge you to find a better one!