19th Aug 2008, 22:52
A good car 30 odd years ago, but looking very dated now especially the Series 1 models.
I have owned many P6s over the years of all variants, but would not go back. I think they have been relegated to the flat cap brigade status as most people I see driving them are well over 50
I now own a mint SD1 VDP EFi; ageless looks, speed, economy and hatchback practicality. Yes I know they can rust badly and have a few electrical niggles, but they're easy sorted if kept on top of.
In my opinion the SD1 is the last of the real Rovers ie Mr Baches babies, and has quite a few years before it ever reaches the flat cap status, if ever it does that is?
19th May 2009, 21:52
I don't think the SD1 will ever be a flat-cap car. The drop dead gorgeous styling and that thumping V8 means it will always have a much broader appeal, even being used as a serious contender on track days. I must have owned about 8 SD1s over the years.
By the way, I'm 35, don't wear a flat cap and have just bought a '72 P6 3500s to play with. I just like them. Tax exempt, thumping great V8 engine, big squashy seats, what's not to like?
1st Nov 2009, 07:11
Had a mint 2.2 TC when I was a student in the late '90's and absolutely loved it. Had been bought and restored by my father as a project. Still have very fond memories of the car, and I am a very long way from buying my first flat cap.
6th Aug 2014, 11:33
It's quite simple: Some were built well and maintained correctly; others were built badly and neglected. The unlucky ones were built well but neglected, and went the same way as the badly built ones.
I've heard a lot of people rant on about the build quality of British cars (of the 1970s in particular), comments like "never buy one it'll fall apart 'cos it's a piece of junk, blah blah." Truth is, all those badly built/neglected cars have been scrapped by now. The ones which were built well, and taken care of by however many owners they've had, are still around today and will likely serve you well if you choose to buy one.
Much like the reviewer's P6!
28th Jun 2006, 10:30
Emhmm. I remember my dad's P6 2000 as a stylish comfortable car with a bit of class. But I also remember that it slowly, but surely disintegrated over a period as short of 10 years. It was a 1972 car, and was completely dead by 82.
Now I am 40 something, and I am strongly considering a P6 3500 as a hobby car (that's if I can't find a 72/76 Ford Granada 3.0L - and at this stage there seems to be a lot more old Rovers around than old Fords.)
Q. How come my old-mans car fell apart in 10 years, yet there are still 35 year old models hanging around out there?