Lot details Registration No: ARP324J Chassis No: 44100974A Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
Introduced in 1963, the 2000 was the sixth and last of the P Series of Rovers that began with the pre-WW2 12 model. Designed in-house by Spen King, David Bache and Gordon Bashford it bristled with innovation inside and out and was quite rightly the winner of the first ever European Car of the Year Award. Its monocoque shell featured bolt-on panels for ease of repair. Braking was by discs all round and the steering by Marles worm and roller. The fully independent suspension comprised a novel de Dion arrangement at the rear and an equally unique rocker system operating horizontally-mounted coil springs at the front. The intention behind the latter was to create an engine compartment wide enough to accommodate Rover's gas turbine unit, though this was never ultimately fitted to production vehicles. Indeed, the car was initially powered by a 1978 cc (hence the 2000 name) OHC in-line four-cylinder unit, memorable for having its combustion chambers in the piston crowns rather than the cylinder head. The maximum output was 90bhp at 5,000rpm. Following the launch of the TC (twin carburetter) version in 1966, the single carburetter examples were badged as SCs. Some 322,302 P6 Rovers of varying engine capacity were produced before the model was superseded by the SD1 in 1977.
The 2000 being sold is a right-hand drive example from 1971 and has White coachwork and a Red interior. It comes with some interesting period accessories (badge bar, boot rack etc) and an unusual level of history, including: almost every MOT since 1975; the original service book with stamps from 1977 to 1979; the original bill of sale for £1,535 and even the original used car warranty documents and radio handbook. However, the real gem among the paperwork would appear to be a personal diary that even chronicled when the car was washed! The vendor regards the bodywork, paintwork, trim, engine and transmission as all "good". These British-engineered cars were ahead of their time and still make excellent reliable transport to this day. Corrosion was a problem, however, and good ones are ever harder to find.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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