Description
This is rather special. Recently sold by us to a very discerning local enthusiast, this outstanding Rover P6 has unexpectedly returned to the fold owing to ill-health and we were very happy to provide stable room once again. Presented in Mexico Brown with superb Tan cloth interior and benefitting from extensive recent history (2005 to date), the car has covered just 51, 550 from new and comes with considerable supporting paperwork. A museum exhibit for a number of years, the car is truly exceptional and indeed is also somewhat rare being a later 2200 with automatic transmission. And it drives every bit as good as it looks. Smooth and refined with the capability to cover considerable ground without drama. It doesn`t disappoint on any level.
Announced in October 1963, the P6 was seen as being a “clean sheet” for Rover and a complete departure from the P4 model it was set to replace. Intended to bridge the gap between the small 1500cc saloons and the much larger 3 litre offerings from manufacturers such as Wolseley and Vauxhall, the P6 with it`s angular styling and all-new 1978cc engine was set to appeal to young professionals seeking something modern without the big car running costs. Very advanced for it`s time, the P6 featured de Dion tube suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and a manual transmission with full synchromesh whilst designer David Bache drew heavily on the sculptured lines of the Citroen DS in creating a distinctive car with pointed nose, high flanks and fashionable Kamm tail. Early models were met with great enthusiasm from the target market of younger Rover buyers with little competition in this sector. The newly developed engine whilst just 104BHP was designed with Britain`s new motorways in mind, able to cruise at relatively high speeds for long periods of time thanks to “square dimensions” where cylinder bore and stroke are effectively the same. This was almost unique at the time. In 1966, the P6 underwent a minor facelift coinciding with the introduction of a twin-carburettor model - the 2000TC which also benefitted from a redesigned top end providing more power and even higher cruising ability. Officially launched at the London Motor Show in October 1966, the popularity of the TC was further heightened by the promoted testing of the car`s abilities on the Rally of Great Britain. By 1968, the buying public were seeking more power and it was somewhat a foregone conclusion what would happen next. Owning the rights to Buick`s 3. 5 litre all-aluminium V8, this was shoe-horned into the P6 and overnight, the 3500 became a huge success. Production of all engine variants carried on for a further 9 years with the Mk. II being introduced in 1970 bringing a revised bonnet, new rear lights and an updated interior with circular gauges and rotary switches. During 1973, changes to exhaust emission requirements in the US prompted Rover to increase engine capacity by 10% improving torque and minimising power loss - the 2200SC and 2200TC being officially launched in October that year.
Our car was supplied new by Mann Egerton of Chelmsford in March 1975 to a gentleman in nearby Ingatestone. Evidently used sparingly, the Rover was sold after 10 years to The Ramsgate Motor Museum with a mileage then recorded of just 10, 800. The Museum exhibited the car but also used it for local shows and events putting on a further 1, 000 miles to September 1993 when the Rover was sold and returned to Essex. Here it remained for the next 9 years with annual MoT inspections documenting regular use before being sold again to a gentleman in Ottery St. Mary in May 2002 with a recorded 33, 600 miles. Within 2 years, the Rover had been sold again - this time to an enthusiast in Barry, South Wales. From this point on, work undertaken on the car becomes fully documented with all initial work carried out by Morsmith Motors of Cardiff. Notable work included a replacement alternator and washer pump, a full top-end overhaul including engine decoke, valve reseat and tune (2008), replacement head gasket (2010), new ignition parts and general servicing. In 2014, after 10 years of ownership, the Rover was sold once more to another fellow Rover enthusiast in Axminster, Devon. Now with around 47, 000 miles recorded, our new keeper continued to enjoy, maintain and improve the car with invoices on file for fresh hoses, new headlights and replacement starter motor before committing to a minor recommissioning exercise in May 2016. This work included replacing the boot seal, refit the exhaust, replace radiator mounts and refit, replace gearbox support spring and rubber mount and refit, remove and refit bake servo, oil pipes, distributor, oil filter and engine mounts, adjust timing and carburettor mixture and road test. A total bill of £1063. In May 2018, now with 49, 258 recorded miles, the Rover went to a classic car specialist in Chard for further work including replacement sump gasket with new oil, rebuild carburettor, new brake pads, replacement spark plugs, headlight bulbs and consumables. A further £777. In March 2019, the Rover was acquired by well-known classic car dealers, Thornfalcon Garage of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset (we believe as a part exchange) who sold it almost immediately to a serial collector of British classics in Lifton on the Devon borders. Over the next 12 months, the car benefitted from a head gasket replacement, brake overhaul work including new pipes, fluids and front pads, replacement inhibitor switch and new filters. Sadly, our collector owner passed away in 2021 and the Rover, together with around a dozen other cars were subsequently barn-stored until the Spring of 2024. We acquired it and after a full check-over, clean and proper road test, the Rover was sold to a local enthusiast. He instantly sought to improve the car further, replacing the nearside front upper ball joint, front brake pads, front tyres with in-period Michelin 185/ 80/ 14`s and a pair of new chrome door mirrors. Polished regularly, the Rover has been shown frequently over the summer and only issues of comfort (a bad hip) have persuaded our new keeper to reluctantly part with his prized acquisition.
Today the car presents exactly as shown in the photographs. The Mexico Brown coachwork is genuinely superb with arrow-straight and almost certainly original panel-fit and an exceptional paint finish that is virtually blemish-free. All trim including chrome and brightwork is excellent too with just very minor pitting evident to the back bumper whilst glass, badges and wheel trims would all appear totally original and condition commensurate with the story so far. I hate to use the phrase time-warp but this car genuinely falls into this bracket with the interior once again speaking for itself. Totally original from the superb Tan cloth seats to the carpets, this Rover has evidently been cherished with barely a mark apparent to headlining, door cards or dashboard. It is totally evocative and sitting in the drivers` seat most definitely transports the occupant back 50 years. From the tactile nature of the original thin steering wheel and automatic gear shift to the sight of the strip speedometer set within its binnacle pod and the period Motorola radio. This is a car to savour. One to take to shows and no doubt come away with a rosette or two. Too good to use everyday but the most perfect Sunday car with the power and driver appeal to cover considerable distances in comfort when required. That was demonstrated on my extended test drive. Five miles just came up too soon and I carried on for another twenty! It is quite sublime with plenty of torque and an automatic `box that shifts smoothly and quietly enabling the car and it`s occupants to be at motorway cruising speed in no time. To say that I was impressed would be a massive understatement.
The Rover comes with it`s original Book Pack with Owner’s Manual, Options List, Distributor Guide, Repair Operation Manual, Advertising Poster and period magazine advert, the original letter from the Ramsgate Motor Museum dated September 1993 validating the mileage at the time, a considerable file of bills and receipts covering the period 2005-2024, a large file of old MoT Certificates from 1985-2020, a current MoT Certificate to May 2025, ownership history through old Registration Documents, a current V5C and 2 sets of keys.
An exceptional car with fabulous provenance. One for the serious collector.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
