Rover P6 what do I need to know

[stu67]

I've got it my head that I really want one of these. Now I don't really want a 3.5, ideally a series 1 TC, so what do I need to know? I'd probably pay the money for a decent one as I've not got the time or inclination for a resto.

Advice gratefully recieved

[lowdrag]

Reckon you'll find all you need to know here:-

http://www.p6club.com/

[SB - Nigel]

Get one with power steering unless you want to be sawing away going down a straight road

[plastic orange]

I've had 6 of them over the years - kept a MK1 V8 for 13 years - best of the lot of them. V8 is easier to work on than the 4 pot engines in my opinion, and a manual V8 will be almost the same mpg. Main problem is body rot - everywhere. Saving grace is that the exterior panels bolt off so you can look behind.
I'd rather have a p6 than the equivalent Jag.

Pete

[Shed_Jensen]

Very under-rated classics in my oppinion - they were way ahead of their time and can be used quite solidly as an everyday car. £2.5-3k will get you a very solid example. Even the top condition / concours cars would struggle above £6k-7k.

Keep an eye out for rust (as per any 60's 70's british car) but as someone said above, everything unbolts (even the roof panel) so it's easy to check / replace if neccesary.

Don't discount the V8 - I would hazard a guess the V8 would be no more juicy than the SC ot TC, and considerable hike in power.

I bought this one at auction back in April, very low mileage and good provenance;









Go for it!

[tonys]

I guess any advice depends on how much you already know. Lowdrag's link is a good start point. Joining the club and talking to owners would be a beneficial.
Body rot is the big issue, beware good outer panels bolted on a rotten base unit.
Rear brakes can be a bit awkward to work on and thus can be neglected - it was an issue even in the 70's.
What do you want to do with it?
The 2000TC is probably just as quick as a v8 auto, but they are very different to drive. In my opinion, the V8s are much more refined, but that wouldn't stop me having a 2000/2200 again.
2000 autos are thought to be a bit slow, 2200 auto better. 3500S most sought after, but gearbox a weak point (although some have uprated police-spec boxes, others 5-speed conversions.
There is a good book, by James Taylor, covering the P6, 'The Rover P6 1963 to 1977', covers everything you would expect. Worthwhile as a reference point.
Not sure what the position now is with 4 cylinder engines and unleaded. If i recall correctly, the TCs needed 100 octane fuel.
I agree that they are under-rated cars. I still have very fond memories of my first car (in the mid-70's), a very early production 2000SC (been in family for years, superb condition), which I then followed on with a 3500S. Chalk and cheese really, but i would have either of them again as a 'classic'. If anything, the series 1's seem to have 'aged' better than the facelifts (personal opinion!), other than the dash, which I still think to be one of the clearest produced. Having read this has even got me thinking again.............
Good luck

[stu67]

Thanks all for the advice

I've just always hankered after one. I've got a couple of classics so know that it's not all a bed of roses. The earlier series 1 cars seem to have aged better and have a bit of a more "classic" look especially the interiors. My dad always loved his Rover's 90, 105s and P5 3 litre, my grandad even had a P3 which was a lovely quality car. They seem to be really under valued at the moment, had a good poke around one at a recent show and was impressed. I think I can remember some shots of earlier mk1's in the Monty Carlo rally, which would be a good fun project

[BMWChris]

I remember chasing a then new mk2 Golf GTI over a twisty road in a 2000TC. I let him go when he started using so much of the road that clouds of dust were kicking up as he brushed the verge. Yes, they roll, but they handle well if non-PAS steering a little vague (not too bad if you keep adjusting it). V good brakes.

Mine kept going out of tune at which point fuel consumption went through the roof. I was thinking of one for classic rallying but the steering put me off. If you come across a conversion (unlikely, given location of box) to rack and pinion let me know.

[mccrackenj]

Excellent cars, I've had a 2200TC, 2200SC, both manuals and then a lovely 1968 3500 in Brigade Red with black leather - the best clolour combo IMO.

Sold it about 9 years ago for £1800. If I found it for sale today in the same condition as it was when I had it for £4-5k I'd have it back in a trice.

Would really like another, but there seem to be so few around these days, especially Series 1s.

Edited by mccrackenj on Friday 27th August 15:24

[r4_rick]

dad had a mk1 2000, then a 3500s, and after that a 3500 sdi , I used to wash the 3500s and can remember the rust scabs spreading almost weekly. ... he used to gun it up the road every morning , what a sound. So for the sound track alone surely it has to be a V8 ?