For many years, except for the last ten to twelve or so, I have owned a Rover 3500S. Unlike Automatics, the Series 2 P6B's with manual transmission were fully imported from England. The Automatics with either BW35 or BW 65 (later models) were sent to New Zealand in CKD form, and fully assembled prior to shipping to this country. There were additional colour and trim changes but really not a lot was changed to the NZ cars. The 'S' models were all fitted with four speed manual gearboxes (except North America) that had its origins in the four cylinder Rover 2000s.
There were in total, and over a period of time, four 'S' models in the family, 1973 (2) and 1974 (1), and 1976 (1) with the Leyland P76 4.4 litre engine. The 1974 model was purchased in about 1978(79) and was used for several years as a family run-about. Mainly driven by my ex-wife, it developed difficult to trace shifting piston liner issues, and it was put aside for "later" recommissioning. One of the 1973 models was presented to my oldest son as a 21st birthday present, and he used it for a number of years until he moved up the 'social ladder' and the car became also a candidate for recommissioning. Alas, changes in circumstances meant that those two cars did not receive the recommissioning treatment, although fully intended otherwise. It is only in the last twelve months that they were taken to the crusher with terminal rust issues. I am sorry to say, but I have no photos of those two cars - sorry, I do of the first one, taken thirty years ago when I had started restoring the 1974 model. Will find this photo in due course. The 1976 model with the 4.4 litre engine became a fire casualty as a result of leaking petrol and ignition spark, and was taken illegal possession of by the Insurance Company. That then left the 1973 model in Almond colour, brown poor state leather upholstery, and a sliding Webasto Sunroof as one of its attractions. This last named 'S' is the primary source of events leading up to the purpose of this thread, but I have full intentions to go back to the others, possibly as part of this thread, or maybe as a separate entity altogether. Regards Styria
There were in total, and over a period of time, four 'S' models in the family, 1973 (2) and 1974 (1), and 1976 (1) with the Leyland P76 4.4 litre engine. The 1974 model was purchased in about 1978(79) and was used for several years as a family run-about. Mainly driven by my ex-wife, it developed difficult to trace shifting piston liner issues, and it was put aside for "later" recommissioning. One of the 1973 models was presented to my oldest son as a 21st birthday present, and he used it for a number of years until he moved up the 'social ladder' and the car became also a candidate for recommissioning. Alas, changes in circumstances meant that those two cars did not receive the recommissioning treatment, although fully intended otherwise. It is only in the last twelve months that they were taken to the crusher with terminal rust issues. I am sorry to say, but I have no photos of those two cars - sorry, I do of the first one, taken thirty years ago when I had started restoring the 1974 model. Will find this photo in due course. The 1976 model with the 4.4 litre engine became a fire casualty as a result of leaking petrol and ignition spark, and was taken illegal possession of by the Insurance Company. That then left the 1973 model in Almond colour, brown poor state leather upholstery, and a sliding Webasto Sunroof as one of its attractions. This last named 'S' is the primary source of events leading up to the purpose of this thread, but I have full intentions to go back to the others, possibly as part of this thread, or maybe as a separate entity altogether. Regards Styria
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