I hanker after a Rover P5B Coupe
Discussion
Am I mad? Basically I'm moving house soon and I'll have, for the first time, a garage. This got me thinking: hey, maybe I could run two cars. Something dirt cheap for the commute (old Fiesta or similar) and something nice for the weekend. I currently have a Mini Cooper S but to be honest you can't even use its performance half the time and it's not suited to grand touring aspirations.
So.
I've always loved the P5B Coupe. 'Usable' ones seem to hover around 4-5k with MOT and the like. Will this just buy me a rust bucket or a *good* project? Mint/concours ones don't come up very often and seem to hover around the 9-10k bracket. I don't want a queen that's unused, just something that's very reliable, producing a fair amount of power and in cosmetically good nick. Wouldn't take much to take a slightly unloved one to a trimmer and re-do the leather and wood and whatnot, would it?
Am I mad then!? Anyone got one?
So.
I've always loved the P5B Coupe. 'Usable' ones seem to hover around 4-5k with MOT and the like. Will this just buy me a rust bucket or a *good* project? Mint/concours ones don't come up very often and seem to hover around the 9-10k bracket. I don't want a queen that's unused, just something that's very reliable, producing a fair amount of power and in cosmetically good nick. Wouldn't take much to take a slightly unloved one to a trimmer and re-do the leather and wood and whatnot, would it?
Am I mad then!? Anyone got one?
Beautiful cars but don't discount the saloon's - to be honest, unless they are parked next to each other its difficult to tell the difference! A saloon with a webasto roof in the summer is simply stunning - to drive and to look at.
As usual with classics, go for the best you can afford and try not to buy the first you see - check the chrome as this can cost a fortune to redo and if the metal underneath is knackered, you won't be able to rechrome. Other than that, usual checks for rust and mechanicals - if you can find a friend to take with you all the better.
As usual with classics, go for the best you can afford and try not to buy the first you see - check the chrome as this can cost a fortune to redo and if the metal underneath is knackered, you won't be able to rechrome. Other than that, usual checks for rust and mechanicals - if you can find a friend to take with you all the better.
[quote=LongLiveTazio]Wouldn't take much to take a slightly unloved one to a trimmer and re-do the leather and wood and whatnot, would it?
quote]
Can be surprisingly expensive to have leather redone. Obviously depending on amount and intricacy. Important though as this would be one of the best bits of owning a P5. Might be a good idea to talk to some trimmers first.
Not sure about wood as I have neever needed help in this area!
quote]
Can be surprisingly expensive to have leather redone. Obviously depending on amount and intricacy. Important though as this would be one of the best bits of owning a P5. Might be a good idea to talk to some trimmers first.
Not sure about wood as I have neever needed help in this area!
My cousin has an unmolested unrestored example of the P5 Saloon. Totally immaculate. It only comes out about twice a year.Everyonethat has seen it puts an offer in for it. He turned down quite a few big money offers for it that easily in to five figures. I will post some pics up of it in the next week or so.
I've had mine a couple of years now. I paid £4500 for it and it was worth every penny. You get a massive amount of car for the money. The 9 or 10 grand cars are nice but really too perfect to drive in case they get dirty!
It is a superb motorway beast, happily cruising along with everyone else at 80+. The only major design flaw is the steering which is extraordinarily light.
It will use a lot of fuel if you drive it half spiritedly, although you don't have to worry about unleaded as the V8 was designed by the yanks with that in mind.
Make sure you have a good look underneath and especially around the windscreen on the front wings and the rear door shuts for rust.
Seat stitching comes apart fairly easily but is repairable although there are plenty of spares about, the wood should be fine.
It is a superb motorway beast, happily cruising along with everyone else at 80+. The only major design flaw is the steering which is extraordinarily light.
It will use a lot of fuel if you drive it half spiritedly, although you don't have to worry about unleaded as the V8 was designed by the yanks with that in mind.
Make sure you have a good look underneath and especially around the windscreen on the front wings and the rear door shuts for rust.
Seat stitching comes apart fairly easily but is repairable although there are plenty of spares about, the wood should be fine.
BLUETHUNDER said:
My cousin has an unmolested unrestored example of the P5 Saloon. Totally immaculate. It only comes out about twice a year.Everyonethat has seen it puts an offer in for it. He turned down quite a few big money offers for it that easily in to five figures. I will post some pics up of it in the next week or so.
I have seen this car that BLUETHUNDER is speaking of and i must say that it really is a time warp example of a car. It is in as new condition and you have to remind your self that it is un-restored ! Got to be one of the very best examples out there that doesn't live in a museum. In one way I surprised you haven't got more replies but then this topic has been up a few times before
The son of a neighbour has run a P5B as his everyday car for more years than I can remember and I've put photos up of them (the first one had to be replaced) on various threads
Neither car was/is concours, I think they were/are only serviced once a year and probably washed less often than that, both were/are parked on the street but both still easily retained the air and feel of a quality car
I think he paid £2,000 for his present one and its not an old rust bucket or needed any work to be a daily runner (and for P5B sellers and owners I didn't dream the price up, I wish I was as lucky with my car purchases, I will check the price next time I see him)
Below is a photo of the current car (previous car photos on other threads) behind my everyday Midget
The son of a neighbour has run a P5B as his everyday car for more years than I can remember and I've put photos up of them (the first one had to be replaced) on various threads
Neither car was/is concours, I think they were/are only serviced once a year and probably washed less often than that, both were/are parked on the street but both still easily retained the air and feel of a quality car
I think he paid £2,000 for his present one and its not an old rust bucket or needed any work to be a daily runner (and for P5B sellers and owners I didn't dream the price up, I wish I was as lucky with my car purchases, I will check the price next time I see him)
Below is a photo of the current car (previous car photos on other threads) behind my everyday Midget
Edited by SB - Nigel on Wednesday 7th April 11:53
Saw my neighbour's son, for the first time in a while, and yes he did pay £2,000 the seller wanted £3,000 but took the cash
So look around more for much better quality cars within your budget or buy one already restored
He also said his went thro' the MOT just requiring a new front tyre and a horn, Bob "bought an 8 layer van tyre"
So look around more for much better quality cars within your budget or buy one already restored
He also said his went thro' the MOT just requiring a new front tyre and a horn, Bob "bought an 8 layer van tyre"
as an alternative go for the rarer 3 litre p5 coupe ,
same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
http://www.gbclassiccars.co.uk/rover_p5_p5b.html
http://www.classiccars.co.uk/rover/p5_coupe/1042/
same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
http://www.gbclassiccars.co.uk/rover_p5_p5b.html
http://www.classiccars.co.uk/rover/p5_coupe/1042/
I used to thrash my v8 saloon around the track and it felt like the wheels would buckle. Great fun. Also used it to tow my 1958 caravan around Oz.
I put pics up ages ago of it at the track. Let me know if you cant find them. I only sold it as I couldnt tinker on it. It was bloody perfect and too reliable!
Cheers
Damo
I put pics up ages ago of it at the track. Let me know if you cant find them. I only sold it as I couldnt tinker on it. It was bloody perfect and too reliable!
Cheers
Damo
DBSV8 said:
as an alternative go for the rarer 3 litre p5 coupe ,
same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
Another advantage of the 3 litre is that you can get them with a manual + overdrive gearbox, the 3.5's only come with auto's. The engine is beautifully smooth but it's not a side valve, it has overhead inlet valves (I'll get me anorak) same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
mph said:
DBSV8 said:
as an alternative go for the rarer 3 litre p5 coupe ,
same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
Another advantage of the 3 litre is that you can get them with a manual + overdrive gearbox, the 3.5's only come with auto's. The engine is beautifully smooth but it's not a side valve, it has overhead inlet valves (I'll get me anorak) same Coupe body shape
only difference to bodywork , single lamps at the front , no rostyle wheels and of course side valve 3 litre engine as opposed to 3.5 V8
Quick story regarding the valves on this engine , My late father had a 3 litre P5 coupe in the mid 60s great car , however , he overheated the head and bent one of the valves , he took the car to the local Rover dealership and their mechanic ,had a look told him he was stuffed , and it would have to come in for a rebuild .
Dad worked at the time for the AEE and had access to liquid nitrogen , , he filled a thermos placed a bit of plastecine around the manifold to make a recess , poured in the liquid nitrogen , and went in for a cup of tea , 10 minutes later it had expanded just enough for the valve to be retieved , he rebuild the engine and showed the valve to the mechanic ........it became quite a talking point at with the local dealership
and certainly saved Dad a few bob
clearing out the loft a few months ago , I found the valve ,
I bought one of these a while back.I had a 3 litre years ago that was just to rotten to carry on repairing and I promised myself one day I'd get a V8.
Twenty years later I did just that.
I had to do a bit of welding but compared top the job of getting the inside to look right that was relatively easy.
The big problem apart from rust with these cars is the cost and in some cases availability of parts.Bumpers and wings are extremely expensive,some small rubber parts likewise,general servicing stuff isn't too bad but anything for the interior (seats,carpets and door trim etc) is also hard to find and costly if you do.
I've hoarded some stuff from jumbles,car boots and the odd thing on ebay.Would I recommend one,yes without a doubt.They have a prescence on the road that only a roller can match and whilst the ride isn't brilliant they glide along quite well.They also attract a lot of attention and comments from passers by.Other owners and clubs are remarkably friendly and helpfull although the 'greens' will probably hate you.
Twenty years later I did just that.
I had to do a bit of welding but compared top the job of getting the inside to look right that was relatively easy.
The big problem apart from rust with these cars is the cost and in some cases availability of parts.Bumpers and wings are extremely expensive,some small rubber parts likewise,general servicing stuff isn't too bad but anything for the interior (seats,carpets and door trim etc) is also hard to find and costly if you do.
I've hoarded some stuff from jumbles,car boots and the odd thing on ebay.Would I recommend one,yes without a doubt.They have a prescence on the road that only a roller can match and whilst the ride isn't brilliant they glide along quite well.They also attract a lot of attention and comments from passers by.Other owners and clubs are remarkably friendly and helpfull although the 'greens' will probably hate you.
baconsdozen said:
They also attract a lot of attention and comments from passers by.
Yeah, I used to get "Lovely car, mate" all the time.My reply was always "D'wanna buy it then?"
Needless to say, the one I had was an absolute lemon that caused me no end of despair.
Still love the look of them, mind and would really like a good one.
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