This isn’t the first Rover P5 we’ve covered on Barn Finds and it probably won’t be the last – it’s a very British saloon and represents a time when the U.K. still had a thriving domestic auto industry. Always worthy of a review, this fine-looking 1972 example is located near Portland, Oregon and is available, here on craigslist for $15,000.
Offered between 1958 and 1973, the Rover P5 series of cars were manufactured as a four-door only model, and this example, being from 1972, means that it was produced near the end of the run. It also means that it is technically a P5B and is powered by a 150 HP, 3.5 liter, aluminum V8 engine that traces its origins to GM’s Buick division. We’re getting the old, “Ran and drove when parked” and a follow-up of, “unsure of engine status currently“. It wouldn’t take much effort to eliminate the uncertainty…The seller then further adds, “and the engine appears to have been recently gone through (there’s that ‘gone through’ reference again), but have not fired it up (due to ruptured fuel hose)“. OK, I’m confused is it, or isn’t it a fuel line problem that is keeping this Rover from roving around? Attached to the situation-unknown powerplant is a Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission.
Referred to as a barn find that has been in climate-controlled storage for the last twenty years, it must have been forgotten about and then rediscovered, and thusly it’s now a found find? Whatever the case, it looks fantastic in spite of being photographed when wet. The finish (considered to be driver quality), chrome, trim, wheels all present beautifully for a car that has now crossed the half-century milestone. The wide-whites are a matter of taste and can easily be swapped if they’re not up to the next owner’s liking. Of note, this body style, what is generally known as a hardtop due to its lack of a B-pillar, was designated as a coupe by Rover. There was a traditional sedan, or saloon if you prefer, offered as well.
An English smoking room interior? You bet! And this one doesn’t look like it has been smoked in though the temptation has probably been overwhelming. Big, well-stuffed leather chairs, large, round, classically clear gauges, and fine genuine wood trim are the hallmarks of a royal automobile like this Rover P5.
The seller concludes with, “Great candidate for resurrection, or perhaps a great parts vehicle“. Yes, and WHAT? Ressurection? Sure to the extent that it needs that much attention; other than the “Wassup with the engine?” matter, resurrection seems unnecessary. Part it out? Oh, go on! The seller even opines, “these are quite hard to find, here in the states“. Agreed, and finding one in this condition is all the reason to dispense with that notion, wouldn’t you agree?
Proof that referring to a sleek-roofline 4-door as a “coupe” is not some newfangled marketing fad.
The word itself derives from the French for “cut”, so it simply refers to any “cut-down” variant of a sedan platform — most typically a 2-door with a shortened wheelbase, but can also refer to a 4-door with a lowered roofline.
This also illustrates the distinction between 2-door sedans vs. coupes. The sedan maintains the general length and profile of the 4-door, whereas the coupe is significantly reduced in some regard.
SubGothius,
The back section of the roof is lower, and the rear window is different.
as you mentioned, the French word Coupe is meant to indicate the body is cut down, and Rover used the term to distinguish this lower roofline from the standard P5 saloon body. One generally only notices the difference when the 2 body styles are parked side by side.
I had a P5b with lhd, sold it to one of my customers who had a P6 3500s, and really wanted my car. Both cars were low mileage cars, and made great interstate cruisers, as both had rear A/C.
The older body shape wass more upright, and also came with a six fitted. These are nice cars, and can make fairly brisk progress very comfortably.
Nice car but ad seems a little sketchy. I’ve owned Rovers and they are unique and nice road cars one doesn’t see all that much on this side of the pond. 15,000 for a car with a limited following seems an over reach. One thing for sure it will get attention at the next cars and coffee or British show.
The P5B is on my bucket list. Classic and classy reminder of days gone by.
What’s the emblem that’s on the bumpers and rear window? Didn’t know this old body style was made at the same time as the P6.
How does this desirable car end up in the hands of someone who photographs it wet with the hood partly open, knows and cares nothing of it’s condition, and states it could be a parts car…with an asking price that should reflect a driver in good condition?
It is not priced for an easy sale.
Reckon they’re selling for someone else, maybe an elderly or deceased family member who’d actually owned it.
This would be the second P5 coupe I am aware of in the Portland area. I had gone and looked at a Sterling years ago in Scappose Oregon and the fellow had an earlier P5 “coupe” with the 6 in it, it was a rather nice car but not as pretty as this car…..he also had a sedan as well….
Prices is “pie in the sky”
The P5 is a really nice looking car. This one looks to be in good shape and I have no idea what it is worth.
I think Rover was the middle class Jaguar, but it matches it on lines if not prestige.
Like I said, nice looking car.
Jag and Rover had the same market into the ’60s – bank managers and so on – and then, in the ’70s, Jag went for CEOs with XJs and Rover went for sales managers with the P6.
Beautiful car, known as the “poor man’s Rolls Royce” back in the day.
Only problem is, unless you work for the Postal Service , steering wheel is on the wrong side.
The steering wheel is on the right side, it’s just that you guys drive on the wrong side! Ha, Ha. The one that I owned back in the Noughties rode like a Rolls Royce once the auto transmission was engaged with a massive thump. The guy I sold it to had the ‘box repaired and brought it back to me for a test drive and it was then a beautiful car.
Why are people describing four door cars as coupes, even BMW are doing it in their advertising the convention had always been coupes have two entry doors not four
Rover themselves marketed this as a coupe; see my first comment above for why this is technically legit and not some newfangled marketing fad.
How many doors does a chicken coop have?……………………
2, if it had 4 it would be a chicken sedan. I know (Boo- Hiss) but I hadda say it
Reply to Geezerglide85 – Years ago I bought a quite decrepit Mark VI Bentley. It was a four-door and had been sitting beneath an oak tree in California for 20 years with all the deterioration that such implies. Anyway, I got it to run and drive. Listed it on eBay as a FOUR-DOOR COUPE and explained in my text: “How can it be a Coupe with FOUR DOORS? Easy – it looks like chickens lived in it!” And I sold it too, for a very good price – it just shows, much to the chagrin of most Ebay sellers, Honesty is the BEST Policy!!
The Queen drove a very nice one in Ardern Green. White wall tyres just will not do!
Beautiful car I’ve never seen before. I can see why it was called the “poor man’s Rolls-Royce.
I spent a little time in China a few years back and had a blast looking at all the different cars to be seen in Shanghai. I kept seeing one car in particular I thought was the prettiest car I’d ever seen. Turns out it was a Roewe, which is what the original Rover production in China became over time. I can see why it was so pretty considering having roots like this car.
The coupe makes good money in the UK, the saloon less so.
If it’s as rust-free as it looks here – original listing has gone – it would be worth £15k and then some.
The interior looks in remarkable condition – in the USA, leather & wood interiors generally seem either to bake or moulder.
Quite feeble that the seller can’t be bothered to get it going.
The original P5 six pot had a higher roof line at the back-the V8 (for the UK!) saw it as a coupe as in this car.
Often known here in the UK as the fastest drawing room on wheels….used by Prime Ministers incl Thatcher….and the Queen had several including one of the last
This need saving-many destroyed on the oval track here as so strong
Either engine was available in either roofline style.
Not too sure about that as the whole reason for the name Rover P5b was because the “B” indicated that the car had a Buick derived engine. I can’t find any mention of the 6 cylinder engine being available in the P5b but stand to be corrected.
Both the 3 litre (P5) and 3.5 litre (P5B) were available as saloon or coupe.
And both rusted equally well :{
At 82 years of age I still learn something new EVERY DAY. Thank you V8 roller and Subgothuis. I was very sure the the V8 only came out with the V5b model and all V5’s with a straight six. What would we do without the comments on Barn Finds to keep us on our toes?