﹒Completely original, never restored ﹒Just 56,154 miles ﹒Incredible condition throughout
The Background
The Rover P6 was a car that exploded onto the market without anyone really expecting it. Rover cars were seen as staid, sensible things that did a job with dignity but little in the way of panache. The P6 changed all that. There had been hints of changes at Rover care of cars like the P5B with its Buick-derived V8 engine. But even that wasn’t a patch on what to come. Rover was about to define the executive car.
This new car, the Rover P6, was originally penned to have a gas turbine engine. No, honestly, it was. This meant space had to be made to house said engine. As such, clever bell crank suspension was fitted to the front. At the back, de Dion suspension soaked up the bumps. Taking notes from the Citroën DS, the body was monocoque and featured a full complement of panels that could be bolted on and off the car with ease. It was revolutionary. It was striking, too, with its angry face and quad headlamps. And it was outrageously comfortable, with a chassis to die for and space for four adults. The gas turbine never happened, but it’s okay, because we got the V8 instead.
Let’s start this listing by stating the most important thing about this car. This 1974 Rover P6 3500 is, as we’re sure you’ve established by now, stunning. However, this isn’t the result of a detailed restoration. Instead, what you’re looking at here is a genuine survivor car. The paint is original, the engine, the interior. The only change has been gearbox, and the updating of tyres. Plus the expected servicing/wear and tear maintenance. It has just 56,000 miles on the clock. It is, quite frankly, an incredible find.
Bought by the managing director of Thomas Lawson & Son in 1974, the P6 soon worked its charms. Bought initially as nothing more than a nice company car, Mr. Lawson soon fell in love with it, and as such, used it sparingly. Ordered in rare Lunar Grey with Bronze Herringbone cloth trim, this Series 2 Rover P6 was an unusual head-turner even when new. Most people went for more muted hues.
The car changed hands three times, but in reality it was still part of the company fold, and as such, was cared for without financial concern, and was used little. It was certainly never used in adverse weather conditions, as the condition goes to show. When, in 1995, the car left the company, it had a mere 47,000 on the clock.
The car was then bought by a private, elderly collector who had been aware of the car for years prior. Again, the car was kept in the dry and used sparingly. In 2007, the car went to another enthusiast who treated it the same. By the time it reached its current owner, it had amassed a mere 52,500 miles.
Of course, as well we all know, minimal use can take just as much of a toll as excessive use. When the current owner, a collector of British models, bought the car in 2018, it underwent a regime of mechanical rectification. A full service, the carburettors were rebuilt, the brakes renewed along with the tyres, and the transmission was replaced with a reconditioned unit.
Now, the car is used for local outings in the sun, never the rain. Other than the mechanical work, everything is as it left the factory. All original, all untouched, even down to the functional radio. It truly is one of the, if not the best of its kind. Furthermore, it was in a feature on Car & Classic last year.
As you would expect, there is ample paperwork to go with this Rover P6, all of which serves to back up the history and the low mileage. There is a full set of MOT certificates up to 2017 (when things went digital). There are invoices for works carried out such as the carb rebuild, servicing and so on. There is also an original owner’s handbook and service record from back when the car was new. Everything you need, then, to be confident of the originality of this exquisite machine.
Unapologetically bright, the Bronze Herringbone cloth trim - which was special order - is in excellent, original condition. It has never been treated, repaired or touched other than by the people lucky enough to drive or ride in the car. Being kept indoors for the majority of its life, there is no evidence of any UV bleaching to any of the seat tops.
The door cards are all in excellent order, with no marks or damage, and all the door furniture functions as it should. The dash is free from cracks or warping, all the dials work as they should and the leather-rimmed steering wheel falls to hand beautifully. The original radio is still in place, and works. The green translucent knobs for the heater control are all in excellent, unworn condition, as are the under fittings of the dash, which so often wear out or get kicked and damaged.
The original carpets are in great condition, as are the original mats. There is some slight ‘resting’ wear to the left of the brake pedal, but nothing that doesn’t match the 56,000 miles. Then, looking up, the headlining is in excellent order, too, with no staining or nicks. It’s simply a wonderful, comfy place to be.
The rare Lunar Grey is the same paint applied in the factory. This car has never seen a body shop. The panels all sit on the car as they should, with uniform panel gaps across the entirety of the car. The glass is all excellent, too. Look close into the corners and creases of the metalwork and you’ll see traces of the original wax, applied in the factory. It is quite remarkable.
Of course, there is no escaping the fact this is a car some forty-eight years old. As such, there are signs of life. There is some slight bubbling of paint under the nearside indicator/sidelight, there is some ever so minor pitting of the chrome on the rear bumpers and some of the rubber window seals have fractured slightly. But remember, this car isn’t being offered as a concours example. Instead, this is original, and as such, small imperfections can be forgiven. They add to the validity of this car’s originality.
All the glass is good, as are all the lights. The plastic light covers/lenses are in incredible condition thanks to being hidden away from the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can make these parts hazy and brittle over the years. No such complaints here.
From bumper to bumper, this Rover P6 is in utterly remarkable condition. There simply isn’t another one, with these rare colour options, in this original condition anywhere else on the market. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The 3.5 V8 fires into life without the faintest whiff of reluctance. It breathes cleanly and revs keenly when required. The carburetors, which were rebuilt by Burlen, are clearly doing an excellent job of feeding the fuel. At idle, the car settles to temperature, which it maintains without issue.
On the road, the V8 pulls well, and the replacement reconditioned automatic transmission selects gears as one would expect, and responds to the driver’s request to kick down a gear. The sound of the car as it does is intoxicating, which explains why the radio still works - it’s probably been rarely used given the engines willingness to sing.
The suspension is refined and compliant, and holds the road impressively. It may be cliche to say ‘magic carpet ride’ but that’s honestly what you’re dealing with here. It’s soft and comfortable, but doesn’t wallow or flop about. The brakes, too, are in excellent order and bring the big Brit to a stop without drama.
It all comes down to one inescapable fact: you will not find another Rover P6 like this one. It is so beautifully original. If you could take this back in time to, say, 1977, and park it on the street, nobody would suspect it was actually knocking on the door of fifty. It has led a rare, cherished life and as such, stands as one of the most original of its kind. But the beauty here is that it’s also a car you can use.
The current owner, while sparing, likes to get use out of his cars, and this P6 is no exception. Of course, you’d keep it wrapped up in the winter months, but when the sun is shining, this P6 will take you wherever you want to go. And it will turn every head as it does so. You’re not going to find another one as original, but also as usable as this.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1974 Rover P6 3500
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