26th May, 2021 13:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
Lot 39
 

1971 Rover P5B 3.5 Coupe
Current Ownership Since 1978 and c.44,500 Miles from New

Sold for £26,250

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: CTV598K
Chassis No: 84504011D
MOT: Exempt

  • Current ownership since 1978 (although additional keepers are erroneously shown on the V5C)
  • Only 44,493 (atoc) miles from new
  • Unrestored example which the vendor informs “has never been welded”
  • Engine and gearbox self-serviced annually
  • Offered with almost every MOT since 1978
  • Valued by Classic Car Weekly in 2021 at £35,000
  • One of only 1,320 home-market cars understood to have been built in 1971
  • Maintained in current ownership with originality in mind

Although a marriage of expediency, the union between Rover's stately P5 model range and the ex-Buick 3528cc all-alloy OHV V8 engine resulted in an unexpectedly fine motorcar. Launched in 1967, the Rover P5B (or P5 Buick if you prefer) was conceived to stave off increasingly refined competition. Available in Saloon and Coupe guises, the big Rover was equipped with independent torsion-bar front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc/drum brakes. Production lasted until 1973 by which time 9,099 Coupes and 11,501 Saloons had been built. However, survivors are thought to only number in the hundreds.

Extensively waxoyled upon entering the current ownership in 1978, the Rover had some five gallons of the preservative applied to its box sections, sills, front/rear scuttle and doors. As a result, it is understood to be rust-free and to have never needed any welding. Finished in the attractive colour scheme of Burnt Grey with Silver Birch roof, the P5B is trimmed in contrasting Tan leather. An unrestored car, the vendor informs us that he has serviced the engine and gearbox annually and kept the interior upholstery fed with hide food. Maintained with originality in mind, the Rover has covered only 44,493 (atoc) miles from new and still boasts its factory-fitted headlining and shock absorbers. The P5B has benefitted from new hoses, brake pipes, suspension bushes, uprated radiator and exchange power steering box. The vendor informs that in his ownership it has been stored on a wooden floor and never driven on salty roads. Provided with a new battery in December 2020, the Rover is offered with a large history file that comprises almost every MOT since 1978, tax discs spanning most of the period 1980- 2007 and a collection of invoices. One of only 1,320 home-market cars understood to have been built in 1971 and recently valued at £35,000 by Classic Car Weekly, this is a rare opportunity to obtain a highly original, unrestored P5B. Rated as excellent throughout by the vendor.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: 'Excellent’
Engine: 'Excellent'
Electrical Equipment: 'Excellent'
Paintwork: ‘Excellent'
Gearbox: 'Excellent'
Interior Trim: 'Excellent'

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452

Click here to book a viewing

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 26th May, 2021

AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR

About Imperial War Museum    

AUCTION VIEWING

Tuesday 25th May from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 26th May 2021 from 9am

BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)

Click here to view the Catalogue

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

             

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Football legend Kevin Keegan’s unique Harley-Davidson to be auctioned
Time warp one-owner 1970s Rolls-Royce with just 600 miles up for auction
Brace of rare and low mileage classic Ferraris to be auctioned in wonderful surroundings
Impressive performance by homegrown classics at H&H’s first Millbrook weekend auction
Notable British classics going under the hammer at iconic UK motoring venue
H&H’s Buxton auction enjoys strong results
Homecoming auction for historic UK land speed record holding car
Ready to be enjoyed classics line up for H&H’s Buxton auction
Roaring twenties add pizazz to H&H’s upcoming Buxton auction
H&H Classics toasts its most successful motorcycle auction ever
Eye-catching results and impressive sales rate at H&H’s first auction of 2026
H&H Classics unveils 300-lot line-up for UK’s biggest classic motorcycle auction
Rare 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 embodies elegance at H&H’s first sale of 2026
‘Magic’ opportunity to own cinematic Rolls-Royce
Just 124 miles from new: Barn stored 2015 Defender set for sale
H&H Classics announces 2026 auction dates including the introduction of weekend sales
Strong sales at Millbrook round off a successful 2025 for H&H Classics
H&H Classics finishes 2025 in style with final auction of the year
Homegrown entries set high benchmark at upcoming Millbrook auction
Historic motorsport entries make tracks to Millbrook auction
H&H continues 2025’s impressively high sales rate at its final motorcycle auction of the year
Barry Sheene’s race bike among amazing entries for H&H’s motorbike and scooter auction
Fantastic results and strong performance for H&H’s largest ever Buxton auction
Trio of Harley-Davidsons and iconic ‘Captain America’ chopper to star at H&H Classics auction
‘Reassuringly desirable’ scooters going under the hammer with H&H Classics
H&H reveals full lot list for its largest ever Buxton auction
First entries for H&H’s October motorcycle auction highlight impressive standard
British, German and American classics from one collection heading to auction
One-owner icons and low mileage survivors among early entries for H&H’s Buxton auction
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster achieves over £750k
Exquisite line up for H&H’s first ever Kelham Hall auction
Low-mileage Jaguar with royal connection heads to auction
Hammer time for iconic piece of 1960s movie history
Motor City icons bring American thunder to Kelham Hall auction
Competition eligible 1937 Aston Martin ‘Team Car’ Evocation takes to auction’s starting grid
Special opportunity to own highly desirable late-production 300SL Roadster
Continental classics shine at H&H’s Buxton auction
Motoring milestones set for H&H’s July Buxton auction
Charity auction for century-old pioneering hybrid car
Immaculate concours Jaguars among prized lots at H&H Classics’ Buxton auction
High demand from classic motorcycle and vintage scooter enthusiasts at H&H auction •	More than 210 l
Historic, rare and celebrity motorbikes line up for H&H auction
British icons lead the way at H&H’s first ever Millbrook
Early entries set high bar for The Classic Motorcycle Auction
High society… rare, low mileage 1960 Mercedes-Benz with aristocratic pedigree up for auction
H&H’s inaugural Classics & Coffee is one to savour
Best of British classics from significant collection being auctioned at Millbrook
Jaguar MkII leads stand out results at Buxton auction