Rover P6 V.I.P (information sought)

[grifterkid]

Just recently I have become increasingly intrigued about this special 'end-of-line' P6... I would like to know the exact specifications of the cars if possible... The thing that intrigues me the most is how they were sold. If there was no literature produced for them (which is what I've been led to believe) how did the dealers advertise them to customers? Was it a "come round the back and see this special P6" nudge nudge wink wink type affair...?! I just think it's a shame we do not know an awful lot about this model when it is so rare and significant...

 

[NickDunning]

Just recently I have become increasingly intrigued about this special 'end-of-line' P6... I would like to know the exact specifications of the cars if possible... The thing that intrigues me the most is how they were sold. If there was no literature produced for them (which is what I've been led to believe) how did the dealers advertise them to customers? Was it a "come round the back and see this special P6" nudge nudge wink wink type affair...?! I just think it's a shame we do not know an awful lot about this model when it is so rare and significant...

Ash
I wrote a serious article on these cars in the RP6C magazine 'Driving Force' in 2007, using as much info as I could find about them.

I'll probably have a copy of this which you can have tomorrow.

I'd like to be able to put a scanned copy up on the Forum, but have no scanning facility.

I have researched the cars in depth at Gaydon, and the James Taylor book is correct in stating there was a total of 77 cars built. However he is wrong concerning build dates - the last VIP was actually produced in early January 1977. The main bulk of production was in May 1976, which is why most of the cars are 'P' registration. The well known car which carries a plaque on it stating 'last of line' is actually the last one of the May 1976 batch, and the plaque is, unfortunately, a fake.

The cars built in October - November 1976 are very unusual in that they do not have perforations in the back shelf for the rear speaker, as they were built with radio cassette players and speakers in the front doors - the only P6's to carry this.

The VIP was actually built, we think, because Rover had a number of unused NADA base units (with the cut-outs for air conditioning etc.) sitting around, which were left when NADA production stopped in 1971. Thus the cars have air conditioning. The base units of the VIP's were actually at least five years old when the cars were put together, and had been stored somewhere at Solihull (hopefully not in the open air, as sadly so many were, often with carpets in them).

Tony Oxley's car (since sold on) came with an apparent Rover specification sheet, which also appears full of errors, and again is likely to be fake.

Some of the VIP's are shown as being different colours to the famous 'Platignum' silver and Brazilia...according the records there were a couple of green examples.

I have more info at home, speak tomorrow.

Cheers
Nick

 

[NickDunning]

Just recently I have become increasingly intrigued about this special 'end-of-line' P6... I would like to know the exact specifications of the cars if possible... The thing that intrigues me the most is how they were sold. If there was no literature produced for them (which is what I've been led to believe) how did the dealers advertise them to customers? Was it a "come round the back and see this special P6" nudge nudge wink wink type affair...?! I just think it's a shame we do not know an awful lot about this model when it is so rare and significant...

Just noticed your first line there Ash.

VIP's are not special 'end-of-line' cars. They were produced during normal 3500 production, and production of standard cars continued for two months after the last VIP was built.

 

[Pilkie]

The VIP was actually built, we think, because Rover had a number of unused NADA base units (with the cut-outs for air conditioning etc.) sitting around, which were left when NADA production stopped in 1971.
Cheers
Nick

Interesting!!
When re-doing mine I found some slots,cutouts on the base unit bulkhead area
behind the dash/radio area,and I could not work out what they were for!
I was checking out a draft I noticed coming from that area!!
I am aware that mine was bought new by a sea captain,based in Southampton,and he kept it in a warehouse for use when at home.
Its an early 1971 and was originally in mexico,with cream flat pleat leather seats,front ET and rear headrests,irvin static belts,dash grab handle,boot mount,pas,and 14" rostyles.
Maybe due to his position and contacts it was a nada/export that never made it?

 

[NickDunning]

The VIP was actually built, we think, because Rover had a number of unused NADA base units (with the cut-outs for air conditioning etc.) sitting around, which were left when NADA production stopped in 1971.
Cheers
Nick

Interesting!!
When re-doing mine I found some slots,cutouts on the base unit bulkhead area
behind the dash/radio area,and I could not work out what they were for!
I was checking out a draft I noticed coming from that area!!
I am aware that mine was bought new by a sea captain,based in Southampton,and he kept it in a warehouse for use when at home.
Its an early 1971 and was originally in mexico,with cream flat pleat leather seats,front ET and rear headrests,irvin static belts,dash grab handle,boot mount,pas,and 14" rostyles.
Maybe due to his position and contacts it was a nada/export that never made it?

That's interesting Mr. Pilkie sir. Has it got a standard UK Chassis number???

 

[Pilkie]

PM SENT!