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smudger

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1968 Rover P6 for Sale | Classic Cars for Sale UK

Hmm, not sure what has happened here, purists probably best look away. However, if you look past the boxpleat seats, circular instruments, Series 2 front armrests and quarterlight winders, Series 2 rear wing reflectors, PAS steering wheel and vinyl roof and rear quarters.......

.......there is a Series 1 switch panel, steering column cowl without screws, bonnet and grille and that reg. no. according to DVLA was registered on 6/5/68. If it isn't a registration transfer job and the number is one of the few bits genuinely remaining from how it started life, it would possibly make it the second oldest known surviving 3500? I seem to remember FEK xxxF which has been on here being the oldest known from 2/5/68.

If it really is the second oldest 3500 then it surely deserves to lose all the Series 2 adornments and be seen for what it is.
 
Yes definitely, and the chassis number which should be decisive. The usual giveaway with Series 1 replicas created from Series 2's is the dash and switches. And the reg. no. unless its a J plate which is the only crossover suffix. I don't think I've ever seen Series 1 switches on a Series 2 to 1 creation although that's not to say it can't be done although it would be a bit involved. But then why not go the whole hog and do the speedo/gauges aswell? One of those where you wish you could see the car for real.
 
My bet is that it's a series 1 with series 2 bits added, which is rather common.
After all it seems that the owner liked to add his "personnal touch".
 
The later gear selector knob (ie: not the round one) together with the anti-burst bracket on the b-post would indicate a series 2 in disguise....;) They would be unlikely to be fitted on a series 1 updating exercise.
 
Phil Robson said:
The later gear selector knob (ie: not the round one) together with the anti-burst bracket on the b-post would indicate a series 2 in disguise....;) They would be unlikely to be fitted on a series 1 updating exercise.
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The gear selector could well be part of a gearbox upgrade, while the anti-burst lock on the doors were introduced well before the end of the series 1 models, as early as 1966-67 IIRC.
 
In that case, it's quite likely to be an updated series 1, as has been said the central switch panel (& ignition barrel) would be unlikely to be retro fitted...
 
Since updating Series 1's into Series 2's was a reasonably common pastime in the late 70s and early 80s as these cars passed on to their 3rd and 4th owners, it is possible that it has spent more of its life like this than in its original form, if it is indeed a 1968 car as advertised. If it is a Series 2 with Series 1 bits and a reg transfer then it would be a bit naughty to say the least to advertise it as a 1968 car. My bet is it is all honest and somewehere under there the second oldest surviving Series 1 3500 is struggling to get out.
 
I know the car, and have spoken with the owner in the past. It is a very early series 1 P6B, with a confirmed chassis number and a lot of series 2 bits.
 
What kind of cost would be involved in converting back to Series 1?

I would imagine that most parts are made of unobtainium now

Tempted to buy the car but alway suspicious of something that has been seriously messed with
 
Phil Robson said:
The later gear selector knob (ie: not the round one) together with the anti-burst bracket on the b-post would indicate a series 2 in disguise....;) They would be unlikely to be fitted on a series 1 updating exercise.
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I have a 1970 S1 and it has the later gearknob so has the only other one I've seen. I don't know when the changeover was but I'm think it's not indicative of s1/s2 but would be correct for 1968. I've fitted the S2 dash because I prefer the instruments. I do however keep everything I remove so it can be changed back. I even made and adaptor wiring loom out of the S2 multiplug so none of the original wiring was cut.

I think I could definitely live with boxpleat that good.
 
Richard Edwards said:
What kind of cost would be involved in converting back to Series 1?

I would imagine that most parts are made of unobtainium now

Tempted to buy the car but alway suspicious of something that has been seriously messed with
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Wouldn't be so difficult speaking to the right people. Changing the look of a P6 is easy. Most of the bits being common with any S1 car. Seats in anywhere near that good condition being the main problem. That interior stripped and sold has to be worth £500+. I might be wrong but I think you'd need to swap the front door frames if you wanted the early type quarterlights and obviously painting when you stripped the vinyl on the panels and roof.
 
As soon as you deviate much from standard then your problem becomes finding someone who shares your taste, so as well as condition, the value is a function of how much smaller that already small pool of customers is vs. how urgently you wan to get rid of it.

I don't think this will affect the value much because what is changed is in exceptional condition and is (relatively) easy to reverse. Also the non-standard colour would be more of a worry if it wasn't for the fact it is black; a colour a lot of people on this forum have regretted wasn't available (well I remember "taxi black" being a cheap option or for hearses back then). The interior plus a set of good rostyles must be worth a grand before considering the car proper.

Remember the highest price recently was for an utterly hideous (other opinions are available) travesty of a 3500 VIP - that was £24,000 and had bits from 1950s hubcaps to a 1990s style interior and practically no VIP bits. I'd take this car over that and do something else with the remaining £20k.

If the car is as good as described then it seems OK to me. If you can live with the changes or fancy a bit of work. It'll likely be more a question of time and effort sourcing good parts than actual money to "change back".
 
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Is the spare wheel cover correct, it looks a bit odd?

Very tempted to buy this and return it to it`s former glory but would I leave it black?
 
Richard Edwards said:
Is the spare wheel cover correct, it looks a bit odd?

Very tempted to buy this and return it to it`s former glory but would I leave it black?
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Spare wheel cover looks naff but you can get one no problem. Black looks good depends how original you want to go. Sounds like it needs a repaint anyway. I live in wgc but I haven't seen the car out and about.
 
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