Lot details Registration No: JVS 989 Chassis No: 6110536 Mot Expiry: Oct 2010
Rover's new 12, launched in 1934, was part of the revamped range introduced by the Wilks brothers and built on the virtues of `discreet luxury' pioneered by the Pilot. It had a new 1496cc, four-cylinder engine, and its four-speed transmission featured a freewheel mechanism. The early cars had a 112-inch wheelbase but this was stretched by three inches for 1935 to give more rear legroom. A top speed of 70mph and economy of 24 mpg were claimed in contemporary advertisements. An updated and improved version with a stiffer chassis and better brakes, known as the P2, appeared in 1937 and was made until 1948, 11,786 being produced pre-WW2 and 4840 post-WW2.
This unique Rover 12 Special started life a 1946 P2 saloon but has since been reconfigured as a Lagonda-esque sports tourer. The coachbuilder and date of conversion are unknown but the main body has been skillfully constructed in fabric over a timber frame, the handsome louvered bonnet is in aluminium and the wings are steel. The four-seater is fronted by the distinctive Rover grille with Viking mascot and is topped off with a black mohair folding roof, plus a tonneau cover, while power to spare comes from the smooth six-cylinder Rover 100 engine. Thanks to details such as a side-mounted spare wheel and green leather-trimmed bucket seats, `JVS 989' manages to look the vintage part (though, there are discreet flashing indicators for safety on today's roads). The vendor grades the engine and transmission as "10 out of 10", while assessing the coachwork at "7/10", the paintwork "6/10", the interior trim "5/10" and the electrical equipment at "8/10", adding: "While it could benefit from some cosmetic improvement, this authentic-looking special offers exciting, affordable vintage-style motoring at a fraction of the cost of a true Lagonda".
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