Classics
Rover P5B
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The P5B Coupé is recognised as the ultimate development of the Rover P5 series.
Styled by David Bache, the P5 first saw the road in 1958 as the 3 litre saloon, with a 2,995cc 6 cylinder engine. It was developed through Marks 1A to the Mark 2, which had a Weslake developed cylinder head to up the power from 115 bhp to 134 bhp. The coupé bodystyle became available for 1963 as part of the Mark 2 range and the Club's example was one of the last built in 1972.
Factory bodystyles were limited to the saloon and coupé, but a handful of drophead conversions were made by outside coachbuilders. One, maybe two, estate cars were also made in this manner, but the costs of conversion ruled these out of volume production. At least two cars were converted into hearses, and one into a motor caravan!
P5s were popular with the Government, with many saloons being used as ministerial cars, a very special version being built for Harold Wilson when he was Prime Minister. The Armed Forces also used them as official cars.
The British Royal family used P5s as well, with cars run by both the Queen and the Queen Mother. Drive this "poor man's Rolls Royce" and pretend to be a member of royalty here at CCC!
