Highlights

Full restoration including engine and gearbox rebuild around 10,000 miles ago
Comprehensive brake system rebuild
New front and rear windscreen rubbers, door and boot seals
Five new Avon Turbosteel radial tyres
Judiciously maintained by its motor engineer owner

The Appeal

Used as official cars for four consecutive UK Prime Ministers and even the choice of personal transport for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Rover P5B is without doubt one of Britain's most historically important motor cars.,

To have politicians and royalty gallivanting about in Rolls-Royces or Bentleys would have been somewhat tone death, so the government needed to find a more understated equivalent that had the same capability. That's where the P5B came up trumps. Thanks to Rover's newly acquired Buick-derived V8 engine, it had ample performance should any evasive manoeuvres be required, and the Rover's cabin was as beautifully appointed as any luxury limousine of its day.

The P5B was such a good fit, the government purchased the last batch of the production line and placed them in storage for future use. That's why new-looking examples still turned up outside No.10 Downing Street well into the mid-1980s.

Thus 1968 Rover P5B Saloon has undergone extensive restoration work, making it one of the smartest examples left on the road. It's not just the bits you can see either. The Rover's mechanicals have been completely rebuilt, with the engine receiving new big ends, piston rings, mains, cam followers, camshaft and an uprated Edelbrock inlet manifold/carburettor combination. The gearbox was entrusted to a Borg-Warner specialist and just about everything else has been attended to by its motor engineer owner.

If you're looking for a well-sorted P5B that's ready to go, this would be a superb buy.

History and Paperwork

UK market RHD example registered on 02/05/1968
Just two former registered keepers according to DVLA records
6,733 miles indicated - true figure understood to be 106,733 miles
Full restoration including the engine around 10,000 miles ago
The owner was a motor engineer and did a lot of the work himself to a very high standard
Some service records and invoices present, but the paperwork is incomplete
The owner did not keep records of a lot of work since they never intended to sell the car - the vendor is selling it on their behalf
Exempt from road tax and MOT

The Condition

OEM Rostyle wheels with period-correct Avon Turbosteel tyres
Bodywork restored with any corrosion cut out and replaced with fresh steel
The vendor notes that this is a really solid example and the photographs certainly support this assertion
The Rover presents beautifully, with straight bodywork, well-fitting doors and a very clean-looking underside
While presentable and very usable, we're advised that the paintwork shows imperfections which the buyer may wish to attend to
Very smart brightwork and badging
No dents or corrosion visible however there is a small bit of corrosion on one of the inner arches
Highly original-looking interior
Some trim pieces are missing inside under the dash, but the vendor notes there's spare trim in the boot, some of which may correspond
Light age-commensurate wear to the upholstery and controls
We understand the various cabin electrics and instruments to be in good working order

The Mechanics

3.5-litre (3,498cc) Rover V8
Edelbrock inlet manifold and carburettor
Automatic transmission
Engine rebuild comprising big ends, new piston rings, mains, new cam followers and a new camshaft
Gearbox reconditioned by a Borg-Warner specialist
Brakes fully rebuilt including slave cylinders and servo unit
Recent battery
Complete new exhaust system
The vendor informs us that the engine runs very well and the Rover drives brilliantly
We're advised that the power steering is a bit squeaky at slow turns but otherwise works well
We're informed that the car accelerates smoothly through the gears with no untoward noises or apparent issues
Recent oil change carried out

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]