The Rover P5/P5B

[Styria]

Well, I hardly recognised this Aladdin's Cave as mine. Seeing it like this illustrates to me the attitude being utilised in attending to these restorations tasks. The one in the middle belongs to a customer of many years standing who has put a temporary halt to proceedings.

The other two are mine - on the right a Mark IIA Coupe 1963 that I purchased, full of pride, from a Carpenter Owner in 1971 for $1100.00. I say proudly, because because I appreciated its rarity, being one of seven 4 speed with overdrive drivetrains Coupes imported by Grenville Motors, the RoverDistributors. I dare say it's probably one of two remaining - if not the sole one.

The one on the left is a Mark III that I purchased in 1979. Ex Doctor's car, it was Grey with red upholstery with a sliding Webast sunroof. I had missed Out on it some four to five years earlier, when I saw it at J.A. Gilbert at Waitara in beautiful condition priced at $3300.00. It had been sold when I returned next day to purchase it. Sadly, when it came on the market, it had greatly deteriorated in condition, both inside and out. Needless to say, all three cars are now fitted with the four speed box with overdrive, and the Mark IIa also sports the Webasto sunroof that I purchased new for $2500K. Some twenty years ago from a Motor Trimmer located at Dee Why. It was new. Just a bit of history. Regards. Styria

 

[c107]

A few more pictures:

The 1963 Mk IIa


While all three cars are excellent this one (above) was my favourite.

The 1965 Mk II C that belongs to Styria’s customer


And the 1966 MkIII



Compare to my car that will be a parts donor. It’s a 1965 Mk IIc





Finally here is Styria’s P6 3500S




Yesterday morning at 6am when I was about to leave to bring my old car to Styria, the ignition key would not engage the starter.
Luckily the P5 has provision for a starting handle so was able to get it going both at my place and again at the servo down the road. I wonder the last time a car has been started this way at that servo?

 

[c107]

Here is a video of a rather nice P5 mkIII. This car is an automatic, but is in very nice condition:

 

[c107]

Good article on the development of the P5.
http://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/rover/rover-p5-review/the-cars-rover-p5/

 

[Styria]

This is a New Zealand 8 cylinder Coupe, ostensibly now sold for almost $50K. Very nice car, with the right Patina and all accoutrements - certainly worthwhile looking at the pictures. Regards Styria

http://www.waimakclassiccars.co.nz/cars/539-Rover-P5B-Coupe.html

 

[c107]

Period road test (1963 - Autocar) of the P5 Coupe:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/sets/72157641657245864/

 

[Styria]

There is not really all that much that I can add to this road test. It is well written and covers most aspects of this 4 speed with overdrive model - exactly the same as my car that I purchased in 1971. I was a little surprised that the engine should have revealed some roughness around the 3500 rpm range, which was not something that I ever experienced.

The main difference between this car and mine, under every day driving conditions relates to fuel consumption. On a memorable all night trip to the North Coast, I averaged sixty miles an hour (in the rain !), with a fuel consumption of 25 miles to the gallon. A totally effortless and safe trip despite the wet road surface, and the car would easily "loaf" along at 80 mph. - and all this with an engine that was well worn !

One modification I have carried out relates to the differential. The diff ratios were as follows:

Mark II A, II B and II C with Auto Box ran a three point nine ratio.
The Mark IIi with Borg Warner thirty five box was fitted with a three point five differential and, quite honestly, it was a somewhat unsatisfactory performer, being quite slow and unresponsive.

The manual four speed with overdrive had a standard four point three differential ratio, but engagement of the overdrive feature on the open road would result in a ratio reduction down to three point five to one. At least two of my cars have been fitted with the Mark III three point five differential which should give a substantial ratio reduction to about two point seven. The cars may well be badly overgeared on account of those differential modifications. One of the reasons why I bought the car that Bryce had bought at the Canberra auction was to provide me with a spare three point nine to one diff ratio. Regards. Styria

 

[c107]

The cars may well be badly overgeared on account of those differential modifications. One of the reasons why I bought the car that Bryce had bought at the Canberra auction was to provide me with a spare three point nine to one diff ratio. Regards. Styria

I would have thought that 2.7 would be quite a low ratio for the power of the motor. Might not be much fun as you would probably need to disengage overdrive for the smallest of hills. You could probably get away with something like 3.3, but 2.7 seems very low.

I'll be interested in hearing how it goes.

I read that the MKII motors are different manual to auto, with different (lower) compression ratio and I believe different cam. I wonder if this will factor in at all. Power is lower in the auto cars and torque peak is at higher RPM.

Also, with modern tyre sizes the car is going to be under geared compared to when new already.

 

[Styria]

Here is a video of a rather nice P5 mkIII. This car is an automatic, but is in very nice condition:

It really is a beautifully kept car, especially as far as the interior is concerned. The salesperson, a really "gloss over it smoothly" character, is quite successful in outtalking some not so good features of the car. Firstly, that engine, which sounds like a diesel or chuff cutter. I suspect that that the tappers are badly in need of adjustment. A "good" Rover engine will be whisper quiet. This one isn't.

Just nit-picking, but the yellow handled screw driver is not a Robver item - had he not described the kit as all original, I would have ignored that shortcoming. Also, a lot of 'stuff' in the boot of the car - a lot of useful or useless spares ? Once knew an owner who made great play of saving old, worn out parts as a means of establishing originality. Getting back to the car again - it is a Mark III, not my favourite version, but nevertheless a beautifully presented car. I wonder about price ? Regards. Styria

 

[Styria]

.....and here is another 3.5 litre Coupe - I guess, whichever way I look at it, it is quite a beautiful and well proportioned car. Regards Styria

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2004514863206487&set=gm.1024622767713976&type=3&theater

 

[c107]

.....and here is another 3.5 litre Coupe - I guess, whichever way I look at it, it is quite a beautiful and well proportioned car. Regards Styria

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2004514863206487&set=gm.1024622767713976&type=3&theater

 

[c107]

As we know Queen Elizabeth II was a fan of the Rover P5 and had 3-4 of them as her personal self drive cars. She is still often sighted driving land rovers on her estates although for security I don't think she drives herself on the roads anymore. Price Charles first car was a P6 2000TC.

Her first P5B, that replaced a P5.


Her Second P5B that replaced the one above

 

[c107]

From the british motor museum:

One of the prime ministerial P5B's

And a 1965 P5 Coupe with a manual transmission. Similar to Styria's cars

 

[c107]

Seen at CARnivale:

This is a lovely P5B Coupe and I've seen it a few times now at various shows.

 

[Styria]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156092031367938&set=gm.1590868934326147&type=3&theater

Even the rear view amply illustrates the imposing beauty of the Rover. Naturally not to the same extent as some American cars from Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and others from the '40's, 50's and '60's era, but still quite a bit better than your average sled. With this particular car, the rear headrests are an absolute rarity. The colour scheme - very, very similar to one of my Coupes except for the lack of the Webasto Sunroof that's a feature on my car. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

The Rover P5B Coupe on Television and in the Movies. Sections of the video somewhat "Risqué", but it certainly illustrates the "friction locking" adjustment of the front headrest by merely pushing the adjustment lever fully down to lock the backrest. I think it was first seen on the 1963 Rover 2000. Regards Styria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMRw_ZSIfE&t=3s

 

[c107]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156092031367938&set=gm.1590868934326147&type=3&theater

Even the rear view amply illustrates the imposing beauty of the Rover. Naturally not to the same extent as some American cars from Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and others from the '40's, 50's and '60's era, but still quite a bit better than your average sled. With this particular car, the rear headrests are an absolute rarity. The colour scheme - very, very similar to one of my Coupes except for the lack of the Webasto Sunroof that's a feature on my car. Regards Styria

And the car in question:

 

[Styria]

Another Coupe braving the every day elements. Again, lovely shape to the fore. Regards Styria

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1608276982583266&set=p.1608276982583266&type=3&theater&ifg=1

 

[sean sherry]

Those Rovers are a Class Act. Much to my regret, when I was over hauling their Auto Transmissions I was totally focused on the Job at hand and did not take too much notice of the Car its self. But great to see so many fine examples. Same with all the other vehicles passing through my Workshop, not just Rovers

 

[Styria]

Well Sean you may, in the not too distant future, once again have some form of involvement with one of the DG Auto gearboxes, that is now in a 1965 Mark IIC. Its owner has spent God knows how much money on that box, and it would seem that still all is not well with the box. I believe, sustained speeds on the open road result in the box slipping - the tacho needle showing 5300 rpm, but the speedo only reaches about 100 kilometres.

Look, it's hard to tell what is what - the owner may be stuck with a mechanic that may just be guessing about this, that and the other, without really being able to pin point the exact nature of the problem - if any. I'll try and help him as much as possible, but there is a limit as to the extent of help I can offer. From what I recall, I did have a Mark IA as well as a Mark II Saloons with that DG box, and they were absolutely splendid performers. I also recall having a box rebuilt by a young technician that ran his own shop at Dee Why, and he had to re-do a box with problems caused by an incorrect valve body gasket. You know, there were holes where they were not supposed to be etc. and just such a little oversight could cause a box to malfunction. Regards Styria