Rover 3 Litre / 3.5 Litre Saloon & Coupe (P5 / P5B)

Rover introduced their all new 3 litre saloon in 1958, and it was their first unitary construction car. Designed by stylist David Bache, it was a very large and distinguished looking vehicle, with a well appointed and luxurious interior. The engine was a 3 litre straight six, which was capable of propelling the car to a respectable 100 mph. In 1960, the car received front wheel disc brakes replacing the original all drum set up. A four door coupe version joined the saloon with the introduction of the Mk II and this featured more comprehensive instrumentation and a lowered roofline. By now both models had received an increase in engine power due to a redesigned cylinder head which had been developed by tuning guru Harry Weslake, this gave the car improved acceleration and a higher top speed. The Mark III version arrived in 1966 and this featured improved seats, and revisions to interior and exterior trim. The next major change occurred in 1967 when the six cylinder engine was replaced by the Buick derived 3.5 litre V8. This new P5B was still to be available in both saloon and coupe versions and in apart from the new Rostyle wheels it was in appearance very similar to the earlier models. The P5B became very popular within the governments of the time and it provided ministerial transport to quite a few well known faces throughout the 1960's & 70's including that of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who apparently had a special holder fitted to the rear compartment of the car for his favourite pipes! The P5B was discontinued 1973.