1964 Rover P5 3 Litre Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: EWC443B
Chassis No: 74000965C
Mot Expiry: May 2007

Following on from the success of the 1949 launched 75 'P4' model, during the 1950s Spencer Wilks considered how to expand the Rover car range with both larger and smaller models as the P4 catered for only one segment of the market. Although a smaller model was quickly rejected, work started on a larger model which was launched in October 1958 as the 3-Litre, or 'P5' in Rover design parlance. The first Rover to feature unitary construction, the 3-litre used a 2995cc version of the existing P4 unit. It quickly found favour not only with the traditional Rover clientele but also with officialdom for whom the car projected the correct sober, upmarket but not too extravagant image - in contrast to the rather 'flash' image of contemporary Jaguar rivals.
In usual Rover fashion the 3-Litre was carefully developed over a long production run and improvements in the early years included the quick adoption of disc front brakes in place of drums, optional automatic transmission and standard overdrive on manuals from 1960 and optional (and very worthwhile!) power steering of legendary lightness in the same year. Passing through a transitionary Mk 1A model in October 1961, a Mark II version was launched in October 1962. Most important differences were a more powerful 134bhp engine (129bhp on automatics), lowered suspension and the option of a Coupe bodyshell. Featuring a lowered roofline, a sharper rake to the front and rear screens and two-tone paintwork as well as standard power steering, the Coupe typified the sober but elegant Rover heritage. Much rarer than the saloon, only 7983 Coupes were made as opposed to 40,558 Saloons. A Mark III followed in October 1965 and lasted until October 1967 when it was replaced by the 3.5-Litre which although it used the same bodyshell was a very different animal.
The 1964 3-Litre Coupe Mk II Automatic which we are pleased to offer for sale today is particularly special as it has covered only 19,950 miles from new, a figure guaranteed correct by the vendor who is only the second family owner of the car. Finished in a very attractive burgundy with a stone roof and a grey leather interior we are told that the car was dry stored by the first owner from 1967 to 1995 when it was bought by the vendor. Described as having 'excellent' engine and bodywork, 'very good' paintwork and 'good' transmission, interior trim, chassis and wheels/tyres, this 3-Litre comes with service history (including all MOTs from 1995 onwards), a rarely found full original tool kit and the original buff logbook. MOT'd until May 2007 and with free road tax until April 2007 this 3-litre is very possibly one of the best examples of this famous marque left today.