Rover P5B Saloon

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Sedate, comfortable and beautifully built, Rover cars represented the finest traditions of the British motor industry and were the default choice for the upper middle classes from the 1940s onwards.

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. Considerably larger and more stately than the P4, it was dubbed the ‘middle class Rolls-Royce’ and immediately became the establishment’s motor of choice – the Queen is said to have been particularly fond of the Royal P5, Harold Wilson had a built-in pipe rack in his, and Margaret Thatcher was the last Prime Minister to be whisked into office in hers. Furthermore, no self-respecting minister, tycoon or top brass army officer would be seen in anything less.

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 108mph and crack 60 in under 10 seconds, even with the mandatory auto box. With surprisingly good ride and handling and some of the most comfortable seats ever to grace a motorcar, this really was the archetypal gentleman's club on wheels. Good ones are increasingly sought after today.

Supplied through Caffyns in Tunbridge Wells and first registered in January 1969, this Bordeaux Red V8 Saloon was ordered with the luxurious Buckskin interior. There are 19 old MOTs, a handbook, workshop manual and BL parts book on file along with over 40 bills and invoices. These show that over the years it has received a lot of care and attention, including a reconditioned gearbox, stainless steel exhaust and four new wings.

The most recent invoice dates from July this year, when the car was taken to local rolling road experts AB Garage in Hawarden, North Wales. They removed the carburettors, checked them over and refitted them prior to a proper rolling road tune up which transformed the running of the car.

MOTd until July 2016, it is due to be driven over 150 miles to the sale and is described by the vendor as a super example which looks very smart inside and out.

AMENDMENT; Bidders are advised that this car didn't drive the 150 miles to the sale.