Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

Did anybody watch Wheeler Dealers last night?

Returning to "affordable classics", Brewer and China turned their attention to an Admiralty Blue/Silver Birch "L" registration Rover P5B Coupe.
It will be repeated later this week but I thought it was quite enjoyable.

Beautiful cars but I prefer the standard 4 door to the coupe.

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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[badhuis]

[Ashley]

I enjoyed the program despite squawking Brewer and I really love old Rovers. The only thing I didn't understand is why they didn't use the Woolies-Trim Leather Restoration kit to give the Oxblood Leather its colour back. It's not expensive and it really works well.

[clan chieftain]

I agree a good programme. I prefer the saloon as well. Woolies usually have a stand at all major classic shows and I have bought plenty from them over the years.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Ray White]

I guess I am on my own here. I much prefer the "coupe" - although with 4 doors it isn't really a proper coupe is it? More a sports saloon. However, I have always preferred the coupe over the saloon which, in my opinion, has a rather staid look.

I expect the head room is better in the saloon but it would be nice to own a good example of either. I saw the programme and remember thinking out loud that they should have restored the leather. I didn't think the performance would have needed improvement; the one I drove had plenty of "GO" from what I remember.

[Ashley]

I agree Ray and I doubt those expensive exhaust manifolds would make any difference anyway.

There are companies who specialise in building 4.9litre engines with 220 bhp that some have fitted to the P5B, but I'm guessing a stronger box would be needed.

They're a lovely and undervalued car IMO, it seems daft that Healeys and TRs are so valuable when they're noisy, uncomfortable and have poor weather protection and a car like a Rover, which is perfect for touring Europe or whatever, has relatively little value.

[Ray White]

Well said, Ashley. I think Rover made great strides when they replaced the old six cylinder engine in terms of performance, but I wouldn't dismiss the 3 litre out of hand. They were a lovely smooth engine and very quiet. Also, I don't know if it's just me but I have never found a Rover V8 that doesn't make the car "rock" at a slow tick over. The 3 litre may not have the grunt of the V8 but for the most part the power is adequate.

I wonder what Phil has to say about them?

[Ashley]

This sixes, especially the one on the early 100s is one of my favourite engines of all time. They were almost silent and ran for ever, nearly 200,000 was possible before they got a bit rattly. I had quite a few over the years, usually when I was broke because I knew they'd be utterly reliable.

[Ray White]