I've ended up acquiring a new Rover project, this time slightly bigger than the P6. Basically, I was just browsing around the Rover P5 forum, when I spotted a thread entitled 'FREE Rover P5'. Well, being one from North of the border, anything free had to be worth a shot. After thinking for a couple of hours, I thought I'd have nothing to lose by sending the person an email about the car. Within a day, I had a reply, saying that there had already been a couple of people seriously interested in it, but he said he'd bear me in mind, and that was that. On Thursday, I got a phonecall saying the other two people felt the car was too far away for them to look at, so it was mine if I wanted it! :shock: I told Rob, the chap who was dealing with getting rid of the car that I was definitely interested, and arranged to see it on Monday this week. I looked the car over pretty thoroughly, after doing some indepth reading, and speaking to a P5 owner who's done a lot of work on his car.
It's a Rover P5 3 litre coupe automatic mark 2 from 1965.
Anyway, seeing the car, I was pleasantly surprised. The owner of the car died in November, and as a result, his son is dealing with getting rid of it. On close inspection, the car came across as being grubby, and neglected in recent months, but, aside from the sill on the driver's side being quite rotten, it was a very solid car, which showed signs that it had been very well cared for until fairly recently.
The interior had various maps in it, from the car's numerous European trips, including a plaque saying it had attended the Le Mans Classic in 2006, and it's been to Germany several times! It had a high quality restoration about ten years ago, including new front wings, and a pair of new bumpers, which don't come cheap! :shock: It's currently admiralty blue, having originally been charcoal, with the original red leather interior, which is covered in mildew, and stinks, but the leather seems to be in remarkably good condition! Even under the bonnet looks pretty fantastic. It's been in the same family since 1974 which is remarkable, and there's certainly plenty of evidence of it being enjoyed to the full!
So, basically, I've managed to obtain my dream car, at the age of 20, for nothing. 8)
It's going to be a pretty big project, but, it's a car I've always wanted, so it's going to be well worth it, but it's not going to happen overnight. Ideally I want to get it MOT'd fairly soon, so I can get out and enjoy it, and from then on, slowly improve it where required. The car should be down here with me within a few weeks.
So, am I bonkers? YES.
8)
I suppose that you may want to see some photos.
Any advice on the project will be most welcome!
