Buying Guide

The much-loved ‘Auntie’ did much to forge Rover’s post-war reputation and yet it’s still one of the cheapest ways into a Fifties classic. Here’s what to look for when buying one

Rover P4

Timeless, well-built and dignified –if maybe a little bit upright and stuffy – the Rover P4 reflects post-war Britain better than most. It was a leather-wrapped, wood-clad riposte to the chrome-laden flash of America at the time and France’s austere avant-garde postmodernism. Best of all, they are still as usable as they are affordable and make a great classic for year-round use.

The original ‘Cyclops’ 75, with its distinctive central headlight set into the grille, ushered in a new era for Rover, replacing the pre-war P3. That central front light proved too radical and bit the dust in 1952, but the 90 and more affordable 60 arrived the following year. At the same time the gearchange was moved from the column to the floor and a conventional handbrake replaced the old ‘shepherd’s crook’. October 1954 brought further major changes – a new rear end with a larger boot and rear window, direction indicators replaced trafficators and the 75’s engine was enlarged by 100cc. Servoassisted brakes arrived the following year for the 90 and Laycock overdrive was offered in place of the previous freewheel system. The front wings were re-designed the same year, while 1957 saw the arrival of the 105R (for Roverdrive) and 105S (for synchromesh, denoting a manual gearbox), with twin carburettors and servo-assisted brakes.

Development slowed after that, with just a fettled radiator grille for 1958; the following year saw the introduction of the 80 and 100 models and disc front brakes fitted to all models, while the 95 and 110 first went on sale in 1962. Steel bonnet, doors and boot panel finally replaced the previous aluminium items in 1963, which suggested that the writing was on the wall. Sure enough, P4 production ended the following year – but only after 130,342 examples had been made.