Description

1972 Rover P5B Saloon

From a deceased estate; reputedly in the Royal Household from new until 1976 and two owners since; only 2,000 miles on rebuilt engine; very smart indeed

First registered in February 1972, this impressive Rover P5B reputedly spent its first four years in service with the Royal Household, a fact that was relayed to the previous owner when he acquired it in 1976 (with 31,000 miles on the clock) and was subsequently confirmed by a Rover Club official who checked the chassis number against records in his possession. While there is no documentary proof of this, it is certainly plausible because not only is the car black, but the V5C recorded no previous keepers when the last owner acquired it, both features being typical of any P5B that was first used on state business.
The last owner kept the car for 40 years and used it regularly, adding 100,000 miles to the odometer including many show appearances and numerous continental trips. A vast history file documents meticulous upkeep throughout that time and it will take the new owner a long time to wade through all the bills, although the key points were summarised on five closely typed A4 sheets in 2001. Rest assured, the maintenance over this period was exemplary and included regular attention to the mechanical parts, the bodywork and the interior, including new seat covers in 1980 at 59,500 miles, new rear wings in 1982, new sills in 1993 and an engine overhaul in 1999 at 124,000 miles.
The current owner acquired the car via Brightwells in 2016 at which point it had been in storage since 2012. He promptly sent it to Newent Auto Centre for a full service and a thorough recommissioning which included many new parts and waxoil treatment to the underside at a cost of over £2,700. In 2018 it was sent to RetroMarques of Strensham for a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings, camshaft and followers, timing chain, reground crankshaft etc. They also carried out various other jobs to prepare it for a touring holiday, the total bill for this lot coming to £6,973. Since the engine rebuild the car has only covered 2,000 miles, the odometer currently showing 135,217 miles.
On offer here from a deceased estate, the car has been in storage since 2019, the last MOT having expired in January 2020 with no advisories recorded. Starting easily with a jump pack and driving nicely as we have moved it around for the photos, it will doubtless benefit from a precautionary check-over before being pressed into use once more – we did notice a water leak once it got up to temperature and there is also a slight knocking noise from the engine which would merit further investigation.

Documents: V5C; 25 old MOTs; vast file of invoices.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com