1973 Rover P5B Coupe

In the vendor's ownership since 2022, this car has been known to him for the last two decades, “A friend of mine owned it 20 years ago and I remembered the car from back then, so I immediately recognised the numberplate when I saw it for sale online,” he explains.

The gent that he bought the P5B from had himself purchased it as a lockdown project and completed a lot of work on the car. This included fitment of a new fuel pump (£52.96), front seat belts (£121.50), bonnet release catch (£49.50), battery (£109.08), front brake caliper master kit (£117.50), underbonnet soundproofing (£34.99), spark plugs, distributor cap and 350 Powerspark electronic ignition kit (£64.99), and a carpet set (£272.00). He also had the automatic gearbox serviced and a reconditioned power-steering box fitted.

“It’s a lovely example and drives very, very well. The gearbox is smooth and oil pressure is excellent. I’m only selling as I’m moving house and must downsize my collection somewhat, as I don’t have the same storage space”.

The owner’s relocation means that this fine P5B, which benefits from having been treated to mechanical servicing and improvement in recent years, is now up for grabs.

There’s no doubt that the model’s lines still provide it with a redoubtable and suave character, and that’s further enhanced by the lovely Sable over Old English White colour scheme.

The paintwork itself remains very presentable with only a few minor blemishes, which are only visible when close-up and actively searching for them. These include slight bubbling on the lower edge of the boot, a small bubble on one edge of the roof and another small one on the base of one of the rear pillars. It’s also worth noting two small scratches on the offside front wing, but these have been touched in well.

Chrome trim remains in good nick with only slight pitting in places. The rear bumper is a replacement, as are some of the lamp lenses. The car is running on a set of brand new ‘Rostyle’ wheels (fitted in 2022), with matching Kelly Navigator Gold 105/70 R15 tyres (also fitted at the same time), which add a serious dollop of period pizzaz.

Wonderful.

With its majestic black leather seats with headrests front and rear, wood veneers and fawn carpets, the P5B’s cabin welcomes you with all the charm of an upmarket Westminster men’s barber shop. We can confidently state that it’s not a cabin that you will ever tire of entering.

The seats remain in excellent condition with wonderfully well-preserved leather that shows little sign of use and bolster their inhabitants resolutely. Wood veneers are in superb condition and the carpets (replaced in 2013) still present very well with impressive pile.

Up top, the headlining is clean and secure, whilst door cards remain tidy. There are a few scratches and scuffs here and there, but these simply add to the old girl’s considerable character. The rear windscreen is endowed with a heater.

You’ll find a fully stocked toolkit (all original) discreetly hidden in the dashboard, with separate rear speaker volume controls. Everything works on the well-stocked instrument cluster and is ready to provide the driver with all the information they require.

The spacious boot is fully lined with fitted rubber floor mat and a battery cover.

On hearing the term V8 one immediately summons forth images of tyre-smoking US muscle cars, burning up asphalt with ludicrous amounts of grunt. That isn’t the case here. Instead, the Rover’s V8, although still American in design, is a wonderfully discreet (quiet, smooth and powerful) purveyor of its wares.

The addition of electronic ignition helps to ensure electrical reliability, while the previous owner’s decisions to have the gearbox serviced and the steering box reconditioned means that the auto ‘box shifts perfectly, and the finger-light steering remains precise. The vendor says it drives superbly.

It is a relaxed, but decidedly capable, cruiser.

The engine bay presents very nicely, and the underside looks to be nice, clean and tidy with just some of the small patches of surface corrosion that we would expect of any car driven in Blighty.

You will find the original Rover 3.5-litre Workshop Manual Supplement (Saloon and Coupe), as well as a 3½ Litre Owner’s Maintenance Manual and Maintenance Schedules Continuation Book in the P5B’s history file. Also included is a copy of James Taylor’s book title, “Rover P5 and P5B – The Complete Story”.

The car’s V5c document notes its date of first UK registration as being the 6th of March 1973. Also included are a batch of expired MOT test certificates and a sheaf of invoices for recent work carried out, including recent fitment of new parts.

Also present are many invoices from the car’s earlier life, which further demonstrate the care and attention that it has received.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork that confirm that this vehicle has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you have never driven a Rover P5B then your world is a shade greyer than it otherwise would be. They hark from a time when Rover beautifully engineered its motor cars, produced interiors to die for, and are, quite simply superb to pilot.

This appears to be a wonderfully usable example of the breed. Known to the vendor for the last 20 years, it’s had recent fine fettling to ensure that it’s in tip-top condition for the road.

We think that this lovely Old English White lady will achieve somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000. For that, the next owner will receive a charming, old-world classic car that should provide years of faithful service.

Oh, and it has a V8.

Perfect.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at the vendor’s home in Brighton; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.