Convince me! why wouldnt I want a P5B?

ghce

ghce

Well-Known Member
I dont know maybe it's an age thing but I increasingly like the thought of buying and owning a P5B coupe, should I lie down and let the moment pass? or is this someting one needs to experience. Many years ago my family had a P5 3 litre was OK but never really did it for me.
A couple of years ago I was going to buy a RR 1977 silver something or other but missed the auction by a few minutes went for less than NZ$5000.00( UK 1600.00 pounds)bloody good condition too grrr but in that instance laying down and thinking peacefull nice thoughts of dolphins and waves on the beach did the trick (oh I love repressed memory syndrome) should I do the same with the P5B idea?

PS every time I had to write P5B in this post I kept typing P6B took 5 or 6 goes each time to get the P5B typed, my fingers and brain may need retraining lol

Graeme
 
Here's a list of very good reasons for you not to want one:
1) Errrrrrrrrrr!
2) Mmmmmm!
No sorry it's hopeless I cant think of any so just get one bought. Over there you wont have the corrosion based nightmares associated with P5s over here.

So G.I.B.GET IT BOUGHT
Regards Colin
 
Same as Colin.

I cannot think of a good reason either.

The only reason I bought the P6 instead of a P5 is because I drove and maintained P6s for many years and know plenty enough about them to keep it on the road, nice and safe. I am too old for a steep learning curve now.

The only other car which gets me going is those Coke bottle Vauxhalls. Then I have to lie down and let the moment pass or I would buy one :?

Richard
 
When you say Coke bottle Vauxhalls do you mean FD Victor, Ventora & VX4/90? Cos they're one of my favourites aswell
 
Coke bottle Vauxhall is that the wyvern with the scollop either side of the top bonnet edge north to south?, used to own an FB Victor boy did that have some issues lol always wanted the VX4/90 version of the FB.

Graeme
 
Do it Graeme!! If they're good enough for the Prime Minister and the Queen what more can I say.

I would have bought one over my P6 but they seemed a lot more expensive at the time.

So, no I can't think of a reason why you shouldn't buy one.
 
2Diesels said:
When you say Coke bottle Vauxhalls do you mean FD Victor, Ventora & VX4/90? Cos they're one of my favourites aswell
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I think so - my brother had a VX 4/90 and spent more time under the bonnet scartching his head than driving it, but I do love the looks.

I saw a Ventora fitted with a 289 ford lump once. Scared me a little :shock:
 
I would like a p5b coupe too, but don't have the money. :( But then I do also want a S1 E type flat floor.

I got a P6 because 1) I had one in my early 20's and loved it and B) it was cheaper than a Jag 240, the P6 is a very affordable classic and very undervalued.

Thinking about it I would love a selection of the Rover range and would probably buy them before getting my dream Jag, if I won the lottery. :D
 
I must admit to likeing the jag 240, I had the oppotunity of buying one quite cheap a few years (25 or more)ago but instead opted for a MKIV Zodiac, probably on reflection was a good choice as I had a lot of fun with the Zodiac and by the time I finished with the car it was a real fast and reliable car, miss that car but I would never buy another.
P5B's seem to be relativly cheap here in NZ at the moment, there was a time when they were very expensive local story was that many of them had been bought up by UK people and had pushed the price up excessivly, I may have to start searching for a nice pristine example, with the current recession and an ageing group of current owners plus the rising cost of fuel I think that a few nice tidy cheap ones may appear for sale.

Graeme
 
ghce said:
I may have to start searching for a nice pristine example, with the current recession and an ageing group of current owners plus the rising cost of fuel I think that a few nice tidy cheap ones may appear for sale.
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Well you've just answered your own question :LOL:
Now all that remains is to G.I.B.

Regards Colin
 
Here's a good reason not to buy one.
Because you should buy TWO.

ZEmilytowing3Litre1.jpg


Admittedly they're Saloons & one is a 3 litre (MK1a) though unfortunately she met her demise in '97. On a happier note, this year is Great Aunt Emily's 24th in my custodianship.
They're friends of ours in her.
 
Contemporary roadtests pitched the P5B against the Jag 420. The Rover won hands down on everything that matters, especially handling and roadholding!! There are some snags. That BW35 really hamstrings the available performance and especially ruins quiet cruising and fuel economy - just as in the P6B. The solution is the same - a ZF HP22/24. More seriously drum brakes on the back are a bit lacking in motorway speed performance - but the disc braked Jensen Interceptor axle fits!

I used to rate the Coupe. With long consideration I've now changed my mind and think the saloon suits the car better - less flashy and ostentatious. On the saloons you had a choice of rear seats - a bench for three people as in a P4, or the same georgeous bucket seats and drinks trays as the coupe. So you can get the best interior ever fitted short of a Roller without the ostentation of the coupe roofline. Saloons are cheaper as well!

Go for it!

Chris
 
Can't think of any reasons why shouldn't either Graeme.

Buy this to contemplate while you have your lie down...and you'll probably find the moment hasn't passed! Even if it is a 3-litre! :D
 
chrisyork said:
I used to rate the Coupe. With long consideration I've now changed my mind and think the saloon suits the car better - less flashy and ostentatious. On the saloons you had a choice of rear seats - a bench for three people as in a P4, or the same georgeous bucket seats and drinks trays as the coupe. So you can get the best interior ever fitted short of a Roller without the ostentation of the coupe roofline. Saloons are cheaper as well!
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Yes, with the Coupe's you get less car for more money. Less headroom, less wood, less seat (the rear bases are thinner & smaller). More gauges but you can fit the Coupe' clocks in the Saloon as I have & I have the rear bench seat. It's a case of style over practicality. Her Majesty & Her Government never used Coupe's AFAIK. Saying that I'll admit there are a couple of angles of view of the Saloon that aren't flattering but I think this is true of most cars. I'd have a 3 litre Coupe' if the right one came along. I can't see how a Coupe' is worth £2000 more than a Saloon but the market dictates.
 
The P5s are lovely cars, the things that put me off them were (in my experience) the wipers are feeble and the turning circle is vast which makes them seem kind of cumbersome around town. I'm also not a fan of the 1950's construction techniques but they are beautifully built and one of the most comfortable cars I've driven. They'd be a great weekend car...
On the subject of Vauxhalls, years ago I almost bought an FD Ventora fitted with a Jag V12, Corvette 4 speed and Dodge 8 3/4" diff, sitting on Vauxhall 13" Rostyles and looking completely standard! Wonder where it is now?
 
KiwiRover said:
The P5s are lovely cars, the things that put me off them were (in my experience) the wipers are feeble and the turning circle is vast which makes them seem kind of cumbersome around town.
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Thats a very tiny 'cons' list. Not enough to put anyone off owning one surely. You could uprate the wipers & apart from the occasional monsoon you don't get rain that often down there anyway, do you? :)
 
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