Classic Risers

Why this £32k result was actually a shrewd deal

Riley RMC

It went beyond its upper estimate – how can it be well bought?

The simple answer is condition, and the costs involved in restoring a car to this standard. Consider someone wanting a stunning order P5B Coupé, but opting for going the restoration route rather than a buying a wonderful-order, highly original example.

Why don’t I just buy a cheaper example?

Let’s say you buy a P5 that’s described as ‘good’, and you want to make it one of the best in the country. Who’s to say that the ‘good’ car is, well, good? These were immensely complicated cars, structurally, and didn’t enjoy great rust prevention. That good car might turn out to be an utter basket case, and putting right the structure before turning to the body panels will be very expensive. So as with models like the Jaguar MkX/420G and Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, the old adage of buying the best you can stands true.

The bodywork was a big factor in the price.

Condition is all-important with any P5/P5B and the big Rover can be a minefield for those not really versed in them. This was a notable exception in every respect, from the underside to the bodywork (first-class panel fit and shutlines) as well as a stupendously tidy engine bay. The Admiral Blue paint – dark enough to reveal the smallest dent – was wonderfully deep and lustrous, as was the expanse of chrome. And anyone thinking that the interior would be a letdown were in for a surprise because it was in very good, original condition – no costly rectification, then.

The history mattered here, too.

Let’s start with the warranted 53,748 miles from new. Okay, that wasn’t mega-low, but it was an instant draw and the market likes warranted mileage, whether high or low. And the service history was described as detailed – an indication of the care that this example had received over the years – and for those with a true eye for a car’s past, the original stamped Rover ‘Passport to Service’ was included.

The buyer played the long game.

It wasn’t cheap, and it went beyond its upper estimate, but here was a classic case of why it’s worth paying more in the first place, because it’ll work out cheaper in the long run.