1972 Rover P5B Saloon

Fitted with the Rover V8 engine under the bonnet, this lovely old Rover P5 is finished in what we think is Zircon Blue with a Silver Birch roof and a cream leather interior. Unlike the coupé, two-tone colours like this weren’t available as an official option for the saloon but Rover were known to produce them for favoured clients, so who knows?

With just three previous keepers, it’s been in the seller’s care for the past seven years, a period he says he’s “really enjoyed!” Correctly recorded on the V5 registration document as a historic vehicle for MoT and tax purposes, it was registered in April 1972.

Always garaged in his care, a sad combination of ill-health and the loss of his storage forces this reluctant sale.

If you look in the dictionary under ‘stately’ you’ll find nothing but a photo of the Rover P5 Saloon.

But, it’s not just about the design because this silver-over-blue example presents very well indeed, as you can see. With good panels and a lovely gloss to the paintwork, everything aligns as it should and the car exudes a sense of well-being and rude good health.

The chrome – and the old girl does have plenty of it – is also very good, with a nice shine and finish to it.

The Rostyle wheels are fitted with Kumho Power Star tyres on the front axle and King Star on the rear. All have plenty of tread left on them.

There are plenty of stickers in the window showing attendance at various classic car events from an enthusiastic owner, which can only be a good thing.

There are some flaws but only a few. The rubber bumpers on the front overriders are starting to perish, as are the seals around the front indicators and the rear light surrounds are pitted.

The cream leather interior is wonderfully patinated and all the better for having been allowed to age so gracefully; not that we object to restored cars, you understand, it’s more that we do appreciate it when an owner lets their classic’s history shine through like this.

This means you’ll find some softening of the structure plus some cracking to the leather facings. They still look good in our eyes, and they’re certainly comfortable enough for you to be able to continue to use them as they are.

And this relaxed attitude to the toll the years have taken continues throughout the cabin. It’s still a very lovely place to be but it is showing its age here and there.

But not everywhere because the headlining is still taut and undamaged and clean. It’s the same story with the carpets; in fine fettle and protected by modern overmats, we can’t see anything here that would worry us.

There’s plenty of chrome in the cabin plus some beautifully fashioned and labelled switches and controls. There are also some hefty chunks of real wood in the cabin, the rear seats have plenty of legroom, the front-seat passenger has access to not one but two gloveboxes, and there’s even a lovely slide-out picnic table in the front: Rover really was right up there with the very best of them when it came to luxury and build quality, back in the day.

The boot is decent and it contains the tool kit, a period Lucas Handilite, and what looks to be a new battery plus some spare parts including a set of door seals and glue; please see the photos for details.

The door cards are good, although we do note some damage to the bottom edge of the one on the driver’s door. The wood trim is generally in good shape too, although some of it would benefit from being sanded and re-varnished.

Also, a vanity mirror is heavily foxed and there is some mildew on the sunvisors.

NB: There is an isolator in passenger footwell and a toggle for fuel pump when cold starting.

As you can see, it starts well but we have to admit it does runs a little rough. It drives well though, and was driven here. We think it would benefit from a service and tune-up – but there’s no arguing with the quality of the exhaust note, is there?

The engine bay looks pretty good, and there’s evidence of care over the years. For example, a waterpump and new hoses were fitted in 2019.

The invoices suggest damping is courtesy of a pair of Spax dampers that were fitted in 2017, the same year the braking system seems to have been overhauled.

The underside looks strong, although there is evidence of oil leaks. These have been professionally assessed as coming from the power-assisted steering pump and the rear main oil seal.

There is also a vibration from the rear axle to track down and repair, and you could spend a couple of profitable hours under there with a wire brush and some underseal.

Oh, and our assessor notes “the fuel cap is sometimes fiddly to close but does eventually.”

The P5’s history file comprises not only a bunch of old MoT certificates but also invoices dating all the way back to 1975. There’s even a handwritten log of maintenance work and expenditure from then through to 2002.

It also still has its Passport to Service with stamps from 1972 up to 1975, plus the rest of the book pack and a Castrol logbook. Taken together, they give an indication of the Rover’s rich history.

The Rover doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

The Rover P5 is the epitome of the sort of gentle middle-class motoring we all enjoyed watching on British TV as children; if you wanted to show a character was reliable and sober and of good judgement, then you just stuck ‘em behind the wheel of a P5 and considered the job done.

This still holds true, even half-a-century later. If cads and wannabe bank robbers drive Jaguars, Old Money drives a Rover.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, Abingdon. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.