The Rover P5 was launched in 1958 as an alternative to the expensive Jaguars and Daimlers. From the very start, the P5 sold well in this segment, and Rover was hardly able to cope with the demand. The Rover P5 was immensely popular in England among members of the government, and among other dignitaries. Even Queen Elisabeth had one, and rumor has it that the Rover P5 was her favorite car in which she loved to drive herself.

The P5 had a 3-litre six-cylinder in-line engine. In 1962, the P5 Mk II came onto the market as a sedan and a 4-door coupe variant. The latter had a lowered roof, which gave the car a more sporty and rather indomitable look.

In 1967, the P5B was on the market with a 3.5-litre V8 engine. The design of this engine was bought from the American Buick Company, which used the engine in the Buick Special and the Oldsmobile F85. In a developed form, this unbreakable aluminium V8 engine is still used in the Range Rover, the Morgan Plus Eight and other British sports cars.

The production of the P5 was stopped in 1973. However, the car was so popular with the British government that in 1973 a great number of the last produced P5Bs were bought up to provide delight for years to come. The P5 thus served the British government well until the end of the 1980s.…

Technical data

V8 engine
2 S.U. carburettors
cylinder capacity: 3900 cc.
Capacity: approx. 190 bhp. at 5500 rpm.
gearbox: 3-speed, automatic.