CHAT WITH A ROVER P4 OWNER

Duncan Hurst bought his 110 after falling for its charms at a Gaydon car show

1 How does a 24-yearold end up in a P4?

‘Well, I have no connection to cars of this era, so it isn’t a case of nostalgia. There’s renewed interest in older classics like the P4 and I think it’s about how the car makes you feel. It’s the character, the quality and the fantastic way it drives.

I bought it because I fell for its charms as a car, not because it’s from a particular decade.’

2 What is it you like best about the P4?

‘I feel wowed every time I see it. Step inside and the quality and craftsmanship is on par with any Rolls-royce. The Rover P4 is a very usable classic, too. I had an Austin Somerset for a while, but found it hard to use as a daily driver, yet I can just hop in the Rover and go. The 110 has plenty of power, too – it has the Westlake head, so the extra grunt makes it more capable modern traffic.’

3 Where did you find it?

‘My dad and I parked next to a P4 at last year’s BMC/BL event at Gaydon, where I was able to view it at close range for the first time. I then joined the Rover P4 Drivers’ Guild and put out a request to anyone selling theirs. Sure enough, a gent from Ipswich offered his, having enjoyed the car for the past ten years. It was exactly what I was after!’

4 What’s it like to own?

‘The P4 isn’t hard to keep and parts aren’t expensive. Club support is brilliant, especially from the Rover P4 Drivers’ Guild. I am an active member, on the Facebook page a lot and I recently set up an Instagram page for fellow members. There’s also a discount scheme for members, who all help each other, whatever question you might have.’

5 Is it your only car?

‘We have five Maxis in our family, including an early cable-changer. The P4 gets a great reaction at shows, but I’ve noticed appreciation of the Maxi is growing. Both cars are perfect examples of exceptional British design.’