1972 Rover P5B saloon 3500 V8 in Silver Birch c/w MOT

Reluctantly I'm selling my June 1972 P5B saloon. out of the blue something I've really wanted for ages has turned up. so I need the space for it.

Finished in Silver Birch. with black leather interior.

MOT runs until May 30th 2013. and the (free) tax runs 'til the end of May also. V5C in my name. comes with a few receipts and some old tax discs going back to 1985.

It benefits from a host of recently-fitted new parts. Previous owner early in 2012 fitted a full new stainless exhaust system. new radiator & coolant. new water pump. new ignition parts. and the Spax dampers all around look recent. as do the tyres. The car sits very well on the road. I purchased it last year. This year I have fitted a new brake master cylinder. and also a complete new exchange servo (not just a seals job!). for which I have the receipts from JRW (Rover spares) totalling £420+.

Starts on the button. hot or cold (AED works). and wafts along superbly. The car has been part-restored in the past. and still looks great bar the odd touched-up chip here and there. Receives a lot of positive comments wherever I've taken it. I've used it for local trips. and a longer run down to Gaydon in filthy weather without bother. Collection last year also required a 120 mile trip back. again no problems. Both sills have been replaced. as have (I'm told) the front wings. I've been underneath and I can't see any structural work required. jacking points etc all good and welded repairs have been done to a good standard. Doors click closed with only a light touch. the sign of a good structure. Tyres all good.

It has been used regularly since the last MOT. by both myself and the previous owner. the car having covered just under 2000 miles since May 2012 which has preventing things seizing etc.

The chromework isn't perfect but still looks very smart (please see photos). Interior too is a very nice place to sit (leather recently fed). headlining aok. one seam on the driver's squab is separating (photo) but other than that. it's very very tidy. the toolkit is present. Boot area also very clean. with original rubber mat and battery covers present.

No smoke or knocks from the engine. oil light goes out quickly on start-up and doesn't return during running. One of the hydraulic lifters taps a little. and there is a weep from one of the power steering hose connections (sealing washer needs replacing). I bought some washers from JRW but haven't yet fitted them. Overall though mechanically she's in good shape. The indicated mileage is 82770 approximately. and this could be the first time around on the clock. so well does it bowl along. The mileage may change slightly between now and the end of the auction. We took it out on Saturday (when most of the photos were taken. the engine was running at the time in all photos) and it was a real pleasure to drive around in (the weather helped!).

If the reserve isn't met by the end of the auction. I may offer it to the highest bidder if the bids get close. or else I'll keep it and find somewhere under-cover to store it. Therefore please bid what it's worth to you.

Please only bid if you're a genuine bidder and have the funds to pay for it.
If you have any questions please ask prior to bidding and not after.
I've tried to describe it as best I can. but please bear in mind this is a 41 year old car so will have ongoing maintenance work required. obvious really to any seasoned old-car owner but sometimes these things need mentioning. I'd happily jump in it now and drive it anywhere. regular use has kept it in good all-round order.

Collection within 7 days please unless alternative arrangements made first.
Car located close to Cheshire/Shropshire border. 12 miles from M6.
£££ on collection only. No p/pal or other methods please.

Valid insurance will need to have been arranged prior to collection.

On 09-Apr-13 at 19:54:09 BST. seller added the following information:

Additional info in response to questions received today Tue 09/04/2013 (I couldn't fit them into the eBay "ask seller" response box):
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"Is there evidence of much filler in the body?"
As for existence of filler. if there are areas then they don't leap out at me when I look at the car. For example. I hose out the wheel arch lips every time I wash it. and if I run my fingers around the arches they're all proper steel returned edges. no gloop. which I take as a good sign. The door bottoms don't have evidence of filler in them either. I cannot categorically say there's no filler anywhere. but I've not noticed any areas that look like they're built from the stuff. if that's what you're wondering about.

"Is the main structure solid and not a complete patchwork quilt like the last one I saw?"
I don't know anything of the car you saw. but regarding my car the structure is very solid yes. and underneath it is most definitely Not a patchwork quilt. There are signs of work having been done properly along the outer edges. probably from when the sills were done (eg near the jacking points). but basically it's all proper and solid under there. no red crusty surface rust. holes etc. it's a mix of black paint. dusty original underseal. and Waxoyl-type finish on the underside. (I wish its replacement was as solid). I forgot to mention that there are Ziebart yellow plugs dotted about. which. combined with the remains of a sticker on the rear window. suggest it was rust-proofed from new so that has probably helped its survival.

"Are there any overheating issues and does the gearbox change / kickdown as it should?"
No overheating issues. we were out in it on Saturday taking the photos and there was lots of stop-start driving in town. on a warm sunny day with the engine left running throughout. the gauge still read below halfway the entire time (thanks to the new rad and pump). There is no evidence under the bonnet of previous problems - ie brown coolant having sprayed about - none of that.
As for the gearbox. honestly. I've never used kickdown as I don't drive it that hard. However the previous owner demonstrated it working to me last year. so I assume that it still does. The auto box fluid is red. not smelly and brown by the way and gears work fine.

"Apart from the issues you have mentioned is there anything else that the car needs to improve presentation / reliability?"
I can't think of anything that would improve reliability. as I've had no issues with breakdowns etc during my ownership. Obviously the PAS drip will need fixing as already mentioned. The tyres for instance are hardly worn. the exhaust is like new. most of the ignition has been changed etc. I'd drive it anywhere. As for presentation. well I think it looks good anyway but if I were to improve it. I'd probably look at re-chroming the rear bumper. and perhaps doing the same to the wheels and touching in the black paint on them. The driver's footwell carpet is a bit grubby too. but still ok. It depends how far you want to go with improvements really. but most people I think would be satisfied with its current state. so long as concours wins aren't in mind.

"And finally so as not to waste yours or other bidders time could you please provide me with a rough idea what figure you are looking for the car although I understand you want to let the auction run?"
I'd prefer not to specify a hoped-for figure. and just let it run to see where others value it at. If it goes. it goes. but if it stays then I'll not be disappointed. I hope that's ok. and that these replies to all your queries are satisfactory. Time for a cup of tea as I've typed this out twice now :-)

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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