1966 Rover - Austin P5 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Clutch.

Seals on the diff and power steering pump.

My father bought this car when I was 16. He traded a Mini Countryman woody and a 1958 Chevrolet Belair in on it at a used car dealer. He loved this car from the second he looked at it.

It wasn't very quick with a heavy body and only 3 litres to push it along. Once it started cruising above 30 mph it started to fly. I remember it doing 100 mph easily with barely a noise from the engine and still more to go, but it was the effortlessness and the quietness of the whole thing that only modern cars today approach.

Not a great handling car due to the over assisted steering and the soft suspension, but it never got untidy.

The leather seats were in perfect condition and the car was in A1 condition for the whole of its life. Sadly it was involved in a head on accident only a short while after new rings, bearings seals etc. The doors still opened and nobody was hurt - just a bit bruised, however the other chap in a late seventies Holden was badly hurt and had to be cut out of the car. Six months in hospital.

I'm glad that my Dad bought a P5 Rover - arguably the last real Rover. My brothers Jag MK II was poorly made by comparison with cheap interior fittings and a delicate "ready to break" feel to the interior. Used more gas than the Rover as well.

Good review I can see why your dad loved this car. The Rover P5 is a legendary car, but... they make a beast of a banger I have seen loads of these raced all over the country and get destroyed they are good for following other cars into the fence as the front end is relatively strong, but when they get followed in them selves they seem to fold up a bit. They are fast aswell having the V8 that they did, but most banger drivers tend to fit a Ford V6 motor in them as it gives more hitting room in the front!!

How sad. I think there will come a day when these well-made Solihull chariots are properly valued.

I have heard of good P5B's being stolen from UK streets just to be smashed up in banger racing...

It reminds me of the days here in Australia when MG TC's were being wrecked just to get hold of the four speed gearbox. I know. I worked in a speed shop which sold converter plates to bolt the MG box onto Holden engines.