1972 Rover P5B 3.5 Coupe
An exceptional example with low mileage and owners

Registration No: GCR 58L
Chassis No: 84507421D
MOT: May 2024

• Only 21,665 miles from new (at the time of consignment)
• Two owners from new, being retained in its first ownership for some forty-eight years
• Excellent condition throughout and surely one of, if not, the best examples extant
• Highly original including boasting a totally original interior
• Offered with a history file and the original tool kit and jack
• Over £4,300 worth of expenditure in the vendor's ownership (since 2019)

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 from the likes of Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. Available in Saloon and Coupe guises - both of which employed four doors - the big Rover was equipped with independent torsion-bar front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and disc/drum brakes. Fitted with three-speed automatic transmission and power-assisted steering as standard, it proved a relaxing drive. Though, with some 161bhp and 210lbft of torque on tap, it also boasted a 115mph top speed. Well-appointed in the best Rover tradition, the P5B’s 'gentlemen's club' interior made it a firm favourite with businessmen, politicians (Harold Wilson's car was reputed to have a pipe rack in the back) and even Her Late Majesty The Queen, who owned an Arden Green Saloon. Production lasted until 1973 by which time 9,099 Coupes and 11,501 Saloons had been built.

Manufactured new in 1972, the P5B offered was acquired by the first owner from Lex Mead Ltd of Southampton on the 8^th of December 1972. Finished from new in Zircon Blue with a Silver Birch roof, the Rover features a complementary Buckskin hide interior upholstery. Covering 13,136 miles by the time of its third service in 1974, the Rover covered another 7,000 miles before being placed into dry storage, which was understood to be the following year (1975). Understood to have been fitted with a manual choke by the first owner, it was retained in said first ownership until 2019. Subsequently, the Rover was carefully recommissioned and serviced, with the recommissioning works comprising re-cored radiator and new cooling hoses; new water pump; overhauled brakes; new alternator and power steering belts; carburettor refresh; overhauled rear leaf springs; servicing and filters; and extensive anti-rust protection, Waxoyl, and undersealing.

Acquiring by the vendor (the second owner) in 2019 from the classic car trader who recommissioned the car, ‘GCR 58L’ had covered a mere 20,403 miles from new, the P5B has been coveted in the vendor's possession, and at the time of consignment has covered 21,655 miles from new. A highly original example, the P5B presents excellently throughout with gleaming paintwork and chrome, and pleasingly retains its totally original interior including varnished woodwork, headlining and trim. The original and complete toolkit is accompanying, as well as the jack, and the P5 features its original armoured ignition system. Benefitting from approximately £4,300 worth of expenditure while in the current ownership, the new master cylinder, overhauled brake servo, front brake refresh with new discs, four-pot caliper kit and pads, refreshed starting equipment, and five Brockley tyres.

Supplied with a history file that contains the original book pack with the Passport to Service, distributors and dealer’s book, instruction manual, workshop manual, and accompanying literature, an original sales literature, summary of the previous work completed, previous MOT certificates, a no advisory MOT certificate until the end of May,2024, and a current V5C document. With very low mileage and ownership and condition to match, ‘GCR 58L’ is surely one of, if not the best example extant.

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