‘The kids say my Rovers are real cars!’
I‘ve never used a garage to service my cars. I am in my eighties now and still get out the tool kit and trolley jack! Having begun driving agricultural tractors and trailers at the age of 10 back in 1952, I began repairing cars and cut my teeth on a Morris 8 van. My first Rover P6 came in 1969 – an SC model. Then, in 1974, I bought a 3500 V8 P6.
I currently own three classics. The 1968 P6 is 10:1 compression ratio and now on 30,000 miles, with just two previous owners. I rebuilt the HS8 carburettors s to manufacturer’s specification, set the correct fuel level in the float chambers, balanced both banks, tuned both carb. I also replaced all rubbers, dampers, and fitted original spec Pirelli tyres, so it now drives as new.
I bought the 1979 SD1 2600 this year with just 35,000 miles on the clock. Somebody had been playing mix and match with the SU carbs (which you mustn’t do!), so I fixed all that and took the car for a spin. All was great until I turned into my driveway – the car died. The points had closed and, on further inspection, I discovered that 4mm screw that held the points and base plate threads had been mullered. Drill, tap and new 5mm screw cured the problem.
My Range Rover P38 was a Japanese import.
It is a 50th anniversary model and one of the last Range Rovers made before Ford took over.
All the cars are rust free and the children and grandchildren love them – they call them ‘real cars’. Especially my granddaughter Lauren. She is a classic fan and comes with me to all our monthly local classic car meetings.
Richard Cutter, Norwich