1975 | Rover 3500

Launched in the early sixties the new P6 was very, very modern and many traditional Rover owners were dismayed with the new arrival when they first encountered her in their local showroom

More over, the 2000cc 4 cylinder motor was not really that sassy - fortunately the chaps in Rover management soon purchased the rights to the Buick small block V8 aluminium engine, which they then shoe horned into the P6 in 1968 - now you had in essence a 1960's version of the M5 BMW, and 20 years ahead of the German product

Was there a faster saloon car in Europe at that time, from a respected manufacturer, especially for the money ........ ???

Such a pity that the British automotive industry would be driven into the ground, respectively by consistent Union disruption, ineffectual Management, who at that time had to work with their hands being tied by the non sympathetic Labour Government

Anyway, enough of my ramblings and lets talk about this gem, for we have one of the last 3500's and our version was purchased new in 1975

The first owner kept her for over 30 years and even now she has amassed only 14.500 miles

As a series 2 version she has Sundym glass, updated instrumentation and power steering, whilst ours had a set of Minilite wheels and a recent repaint in the delightful Olive Green was carried out by leading and most respected Nigel Cooper Coachwork's (original she was Almond - a yellow colour)

She was only painted as a previous owner (who owns many other cars - (R Type Continental, Park Ward Continental S1 DHC, La Ferrari, Daytona and etc) loved the car, but not so much the original colour - hence the choice of Olive Green to match the original brown leather interior, the matching vinyl roof and D posts

Everything is on the button with the panel fit to the bodywork, the chrome, the interior and even the engine bay are most appealing in their 1970' showroom appearance

We sold her to the last owner 3 years ago, and sitting amongst various super classic cars where she has covetted rather than used - hence as her mileage has been minimal

Having said that he V8 is super smooth, as is gear change, braking and suspension

She accelerates hard and potters along the motorway in almost silence - 'purrrrfection'