Unique and historically significant Rover P6 3500S could be yours

Sold new to BP, this Rover P6 3500S began life as a fuel development car, acting as a test bed for new blends of four-star. Now it could be yours

ARover 3500S described by its vendor as having ‘national significance’ could soon be yours. The 1970 car, with Solihull registration KXC 391H, was one of around 2006 P6s built to American NADA (North American Dollar Area) specification but Rover sold it new to petroleum company BP for fuel testing – specifically the development of four-star. The Rover is featured in a BAFTA award-winning 1971 BP film on the environment where it appears during footage shot on a rolling road.

The car was sold to a BP employee following its test career, before passing to Rover authority, Chris Wickham – of Rover Parts Service fame – in the Seventies. It spent the following decade languishing in a London lock-up after suffering engine problems.

Richard Jones, who runs Devon specialist, Road Rally Race, and owns four other NADA Rover P6s, bought the car about five years ago. He said: ‘I had been keeping an eye on this particular car for a long time and eventually Chris decided that he would sell it.

‘To be honest, though, I’ve got several other projects and this one needs someone who will definitely carry out the restoration properly.

‘This is a very significant car – of national significance I would say, considering its part in the development of four-star – and must go to a good home.’

The left-hand-drive Rover is said to be complete and in very good condition, though the engine is out of the car and needs reassembling. £3000 would take it home.

07551 707070, roadrallyrace.com