1969 Rover P5B

Built on the 17th of February 1969, this fabulous example of the ultimate P5 saloon was supplied by T.T. Motors on the 19th of March 1969 to a Mr. Lawrence Hurt of E. Hurt and Son Ltd., who then kept it for the next 36 years. 

Only sold following his death, it then passed on to a Mr. Clive Green. 

Mr. Green sold it on almost immediately, making the second recorded keeper a Mr. Anthony Coyne. He acquired the P5B in 2005 with around 56,000 miles on the clock before adding another 4,500 of his own. 

The car’s third owner purchased it on the 26th of March 2009. He drove it 200 miles home to the South Coast, and said it performed “outstandingly, a true testament to the maintenance and servicing this car has received during its lifetime.” 

He then set about restoring and refurbishing it, recording the work in photos, invoices, receipts, bills, letters, a hand-written checklist, and other miscellany. 

The car featured in the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip programme between August-October 2019, where it was driven by James Braxton and Catherine Southon. 

Apparently, they loved the car and found it comfortable, reliable and easy to drive.  

And so they should.

We have driven this car and can report that it possesses all the quality, power, smoothness and comfort that endeared it to critics and buyers alike, back in the day.

It is a reminder to people of a certain vintage, your author being one of them, that Rovers of this vintage were very well-built, well-engineered and well-thought-out cars, and that the demise of the brand and everything it stood for is truly to be regretted.

The current vendor bought the car through one of our online auctions back in 2020.

He has quite sizeable collection of covetable classics and, as he has rightly pointed out to us, he can’t drive them all at once. 

This PB5 is part of the rationalisation of his collection.

The bodywork is in very reasonable condition, although it is not without one or two largely cosmetic issues. 

The panel gaps and shut-lines are crisp, consistent and even, and the doors close with a heft and weight that speaks to quality workmanship.

The ‘Burnt Grey’ paintwork has a good depth of shine and lustre in most parts.

There is some flaking to be found at the rear base of the o/s/f wheel-arch and a paint chip at the top of it.

There is also some nascent bubbling and blistering in evidence at the base of both nearside doors, the base of the o/s/f door, the sills, the base of the o/s/r wing, and around the n/s/r wheel-arch.

There are some patches of hazy paint on both ‘C’ pillars

The lights, lenses, badging and trim have held up well, although some of the rubber trim has perished in a few places.

This car truly enters time-warp territory when you get inside, where the utterly sumptuous interior is a feast for the senses.

The soft burgundy leather is a haptic treat to touch and the seats, front and rear, are perfectly comfortable, supportive and functional.

It has all the subtle good taste and classy ambience of a cocktail lounge on a 1930s ocean liner.

The beige carpets and burgundy mats provide a splendidly sophisticated and well-balanced contrast.

Everything is in first-class condition, from the headlining and the door cards to the wooden door cappings and dashboard inserts.

It even smells good.

We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or twiddle every knob, but those we did press, flick and twiddle responded in a timely, faithful and predictable fashion.

There’s a patch of paint missing from the passenger seat incline/recline lever.

The boot is in impressive order. 

The engine bay is clean, dry and tidy, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. 

There is some flaking and rust to be seen underneath, but the undersides appear to have a decent amount of structural integrity. 

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself.

This car comes with a big, thick file of paperwork and a well-documented service, maintenance, care and repair history.

There are photos of the car during restoration, bills and checklists covering expenditure on parts and labour over the years, and all manner of correspondence, features, articles and other bits and pieces.

It comes with a V5, a clear HPI report, and a set of workshop manuals, guides and handbooks. 

It also comes with Heritage certificates attesting to its provenance and authenticity.

The inside of this car really needs nothing doing to it and is a splendid place to spend some quality time.

The engine and mechanicals appear to be in excellent condition and the car drives very well indeed.

The exterior needs a few relatively minor issues attending to sooner rather than later….and when those are taken care of this car will, we think, be one of the very best out there. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £14,000 - £19,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. 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’.