Lot 445: 1970 Rover 3.5-Litre P5B Coupé

Introduced in 1967, the V8-engined P5B was considerably quicker than its 3-Litre six-cylinder predecessor, the V8’s 140-plus horsepower boosting top speed to 110mph and chopping 7 seconds off the 0-60mph time. Automatic transmission and power-assisted steering were standard features of a car combining much-improved performance with the luxury and refinement customers had long since come to expect in a Rover. The low-roofline Coupé version proved almost as popular as the saloon and today is the most collectible of the 3-Litre/3.5-series Rovers.
This Rover Coupé has enjoyed just two previous owners from new, the second of whom was proprietor of BL agents Oxford Road Garage, Guiseley where it was maintained between 1977 and 1989. Dry stored between 1989 and 2004, the vehicle has covered a genuine 89,000 miles from new and comes with its original service book stamped up to 39,729 miles. Refurbishment undertaken in 2004 included bodywork repairs - new inner/outer sills and ‘D’ posts - and a re-spray in (non-original) copperleaf metallic with silver-grey roof, while new parts fitted include rear shock absorbers, brake pads/shoes, fuel pipes, carburettor jets, rear spring bushes, carpets and battery at a cost of £1,230 (invoices available). However, the presence of a misfire would seem to indicate that further work is required. Equipped with a rare optional steel sunroof and Lumenition electronic ignition, the car is offered with owner’s manual, road fund licence/MoT to September 2006 and Swansea V5.