1960 Rover 100

Lot details
Registration No: 1919 HX
Chassis No: 650002755
Mot Expiry: None

Launched in 1949, the distinctive Phil Armstrong-designed Rover P4 family of four-door saloons remained in production until 1964. Over 130,000 were produced in that time, many of which continue to provide sterling service to this day. The cars featured a separate chassis, all but the last of which were clothed in aluminium body panels made by the Pressed Steel company. The front suspension was by coil springs, while the rear comprised a live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The early cars had drum brakes all round, with Girling discs becoming standard on the front from 1959 onwards. With the exception of the P4 '80' models, all versions were powered by either a four- or six-cylinder version of the overhead inlet/side exhaust valve (F-head) unit that first saw the light of day in the P3. The first derivative of the P4, dubbed the '75', was undoubtedly the most distinctive, thanks to a centrally mounted third headlight - or 'Cyclops Eye'. It featured the six-cylinder engine in 2.1-litre form, which was coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox with column-mounted lever and remained in production until 1954. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder '60', 2.6-litre six cylinder '90', 2.1-litre/2.2-litre '75 Mark II' and 2.6-litre '105R' and '105S' were all offered prior to 1959, at which point the P4 range was rationalised to two models - the four-cylinder '80' (with Land Rover-derived OHV engine) and six-cylinder '100' (with 2625cc short-stroke version of the 3-litre P5 unit).

The P4 offered is a 100 model manufactured in 1960. It is a right-hand drive manual example with overdrive, finished in two-tone Grey and trimmed in Red leather. The vendor informs us that the venerable Rover has been in his care since 2005. He regards the bodywork, paintwork, engine and gearbox to be "good" but says the trim "requires some work". '1919 HX' is being sold without tax or MOT.