1972 Rover P5B

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £8,000, then £400 is added, making the total amount payable of £8,400.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

This 1972 RHD auto Rover P5B 3.5-litre was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2015.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with very little history and no service records. It does however, come with a photocopy of part of an old V5 and it has a tax disc on the windscreen.

It also comes with a sales description by Chelsea Cars, from whom it was bought by the vendor in 2015.

That description reads as follows.

“This car is in its original very desirable colour combination of dove grey coachwork with red leather interior. It has automatic gearbox and power steering. It was subjected to a photographic restoration and is showing an incredible 29,000 miles. There is an extensive file with many previous MoTs etc and evidence suggesting that this mileage is correct.”

Although we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic status, we are of the opinion that this is a very well-preserved Rover P5B.

The car’s mileage today is 30,000.

In 2006, on the occasion of its MoT, the mileage was 28,014 miles.

The chassis number is: 84007559D.

From several metres away, this grand old P5B with its Dove Grey paintwork is a vision of shiny, glossy loveliness.

Get closer and that first impression is pretty much confirmed and amplified.

The panels are straight and true. The shut lines and panel gaps are consistent and even.

The paint work has a depth of lustre that would shame most modern cars, let alone one that’s 50 years old.

The chrome work, in general, is in first-class condition, as are the wheels.

All lights, lenses, badging and glass seem to be in fine fettle.

There are a couple of paint chips on the front passenger door.

The paint has cracked around the front of the o/s/f wheel arch and a little bubbling has taken up residence beneath the cracks.

There’s also a small patch of bubbling at the base of the n/s/f wheel arch.

The rubber seal around the rear screen has deteriorated somewhat.

These rather minor flaws aside, there’s really very little to fault on the exterior of this splendid vehicle.

The interior is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart in terms of quality, condition and authenticity.

It really is very impressive, if rather dusty and in need of being shown a damp cloth and some decent cleaning products.

The dark red leather upholstery looks remarkably fresh and un-creased even for the car’s mileage, let alone its age.

The front seats are supportive, comfortable and functional, as are the rear seats.

There are a couple of scuffs to the leather on the rear bench seat cushion.

The door cards are very good, as is the headlining.

The carpets are OK in some areas and rather threadbare and moth-eaten in others.

The lacquer on the wood veneers on the door cappings has faded, cracked and peeled away. It’s fared a little better on the dashboard, where most the instruments and dials look to be in good order.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot, unsurprisingly, is in equally good condition.

Everything in the engine bay looks clean, fresh and dry. All visible components seem to be in their right and proper place.

The undersides of the car show some rust here and there. You’ll want to take a look for yourself to assess its extent and significance.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any records of work done beyond what is shown in the gallery. There is a photocopy of an old UK V5 which is tantalising, plus some tax old UK discs.

It is not registered anywhere, the buyer will have to do this.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

This car is a very good reminder of just how grand, stately and solid together these big old Rover P5Bs were, back in the day.

Provided that the engine and mechanicals prove to be in good working order, we think you’ll be a long time waiting to find a much better example than this.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £8,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.