The Rover P5 was the absolute classic British Executive car. It was built from1958 to 1973 but it had several versions during that time. It was the luxury transport for the country's leaders, with Prime Ministers, Harold Wilson, ted Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher all using this as their most prized perk of the job. Even the Queen had 2 of her own personal examples.
Classic and Sports Car magazine said of it when reviewing its place as a Classic said,
"If one car defines everything that is good about a British Classic then perhaps that car would be the Rover P5/P5B".
No wonder it is still one of the most favoured British Classic cars.
The early cars - the P5 Mk1, started its life in 1958 and by the time it had ended production it had sold nearly 21,000 cars. This model had the Rover 3 litre engine which allowed it to reach 95 m.p.h. and did 0-60 it an "Earth Shattering" 17 seconds. In a review of 1960 it was claimed to use 20.5 mpg. At that time it cost £1864.
For a view of what went into developing and producing this fine car, take a look at this Pathe News video of the time....
Between 1962 and 1965 an uprated MKII model was produced raising the power from the 3 litre engine from115 BHPO to 129 BHP.This version included a four door Coupe style and a further 20,000 cars were made and sold.
This green two tone example is a MK II, made in 1962. ( Notice it does not have the foglights under the main headlights as on all P5B models )
The final upgrade of the 3 litre P5 cam in 1962 with another uprating of the 3 litre engine. This was only made for 2 years when a major revision was make - the Rover P5B. This was the massive change that saw the American Buick 3.5 litre V8 engine made of aluminium was put in the car. This lighter and more powerful engine was spotted by the then CEO of Rover - William Martin-Hurst - who bought the rights to produce it for the P5B ( the B being added because of the Buick engine. Rover bought the rights to this engine because they didn't have the finance to develop their own. Truth is that it was used to completely re launch the car, now styled as a luxury top class car to compete with the best.
The styling of the Rover was really overalled to add lots of extras - Rostar Wheels, Coupe versions, Coupe versions and the notable chrome coach lining along each side.
And so there we have it- the Ultimate British Classic luxury car. I might be just a little biased as this is the car I have always dreamed of owning. To see what it is like to drive just watch these two videos from owners :
and a short life story of a single car...…
To find out lots more about the P5 series and to find one to buy why not take a look at the Rover P5 Club website.
To buy Digital Download Prints of my Classic Car Art go to: https://bccapeterleech.wixsite.com/home
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