Expert Buyer
This magnificent old dowager comes with potentially expensive pitfalls for the unwary…
Rover P5B
CONCOURS
RESTORATIONS Full-scale restorations are not particularly common and don’t often come to the open market. Mint bodywork and interiors characterise the best. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Coupés fetch a premium of around £5k at the top end of the spectrum. Originality and provenance are what matter. A CUT ABOVE Cars with previous connections to famous figures (especially royalty) and those prepped for motor sport may fetch more (see the 1970 example for sale below).
GOOD
FAVOURED FEATURES Research rare features that make a good example stand out. Decent chrome bumpers – rather than stainless remakes – are rare. So too are tidy Rostyle wheels. GEARBOXES Quite a few Borg Warner 35 autos need rebuilds these days. Listen for unpleasant noises and budget £1500 (including fitting) at a specialist. QUALITY WORK Home maintenance is relatively easy compared to (for example) same-era Jaguars, so beware DIY bodges and poor quality parts. A thorough history is worth extra cash.
USABLE
TATTY INTERIORS Leather and wood mean that there’s a fine line between patina and shabbiness. Nothing is beyond repair, but a refurb is involved and potentially costly. TIRED V8s Listen for noisy tappets and timing chain and watch for signs of overheating or cylinder head gasket failure – all of which can indicate big costs ahead. LACK OF USE Heavy fuel consumption means that some P5Bs see infrequent use, leading to perishing seals and seized brakes. Makes sure that it stops straight, and check for hydraulic leaks.
PROJECT
FEASIBILITY Restorations are costly compared to the values of top examples. Buying a wellrestored car will be better value in the long run. AVAILABILITY Many of the rougher examples have already met a tragic and grisly end in the hands of banger racers, so there’s now a shortage of honest, salvageable cars for restoration. CORROSION This is the major factor determining the cost of a rebuild. Sills, pillars and rear suspension mounts are all awkward to weld. Account for Mazak and chrome refurbishment costs, too.