1969 Rover P5B 3.5 Saloon
Highly original with low mileage and ownership

Registration No: RON 569G
Chassis No: 84004268C
MOT: March 2024

• Just 60,500 miles from new (at the time of consignment)
• Three owners from new with known ownership history
• Highly original and notably nice example that still boasts its rare original Ebony interior
• Offered with a large history file including the original book pack
• In the ownership of a well-renowned Rover aficionado for the past seven years

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.

Chassis ‘84004268C’ was manufactured in 1969 and supplied new by R. H. Collier & Co. Ltd of Birmingham, being registered new on the 4^th of July that year, with the Pre-Delivery Check having been completed by them the day before. Finished in Bordeaux Red paintwork from new, the P5B Saloon pleasingly still retains its original rare Ebony leather interior upholstery and Beige carpeting. Well maintained while in the first ownership, the accompanying history file displays regular servicing through their custodianship, which lasted twenty-three years. Purchased by the second owner in 1992, it was driven on the day of acquisition from Birmingham to Coventry, when white smoke began to appear during the journey and the new owner decided the head gaskets had failed.

Starting to dismantle the Rover’s engine, a stroke sadly stopped progress almost immediately and the P5B remained stored in a dry garage with progress unable to continue for the subsequent twenty-four years. The vendor, a well-known and renowned classic car specialist and specifically Rover aficionado (especially in regard to P5s), was informed of the car in 2016 and upon inspection, purchased ‘RON 569G’ with some 52,000 miles from new at the time. Quickly discovering that a leaking brake servo was the actual cause of the smoke, the P5B was lavished with a full recommissioning, with ‘RON 569G’ returning to the road in the summer of 2016. Other than the required recommissioning, the Rover was only requiring improvement to the paintwork, with a full respray also provided shortly after purchase.

Notably original and unmolested, the P5B was retained and used regularly by the vendor, even after retirement from the trade, and is now offered having covered some 60,500 miles from new at the time of consignment. Only offered now due to lack of storage, this highly original P5B Saloon still retains its original dealer registration plates, boot and in-car tool kits, and interior. Offered with a large history file that contains the original book pack with the well-stamped service book; numerous servicing and maintenance records from the first owner’s custodianship, right back to the 1^st service document; numerous MOTs from 1975-1991 and since the vendor’s ownership; a no-advisory MOT certificate until March 2024; tax discs back to the 1980s; logbooks displaying the ownership history; and a current V5C document showing three former keepers (the vendor equating to two registered keepers – one business and one private).

Examples of the P5B with such originality come up rarely, so with very good provenance, low mileage, and just three owners from new, this is a fantastic opportunity.

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