2 Responses to “'61 English Rover Questions”

1. admin says:

   February 10, 2010 at 1:22 am

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   In article <2tksgp$…@yeshua.marcam.com> dav…@marcam.com (David MacMahon) writes:
   >From: dav…@marcam.com (David MacMahon)
   >Subject: ’61 English Rover Questions
   >Date: 14 Jun 1994 18:22:17 GMT
   >I am considering acquiring a particular ’61 English Rover (really
   >English – the steering wheel is on the right).  It needs some work, but
   >at this point I’m not sure exactly what.  I imagine that it is next to
   >impossible to get parts here in the States, but how difficult would it
   >be to get parts shipped from England?  I have a ’76 VW camper and I
   >know there are organizations related to old VWs.  Are there any similar
   >groups for Rovers of this type?
   

   >NOTE: I’m pretty sure this is NOT a Land Rover.  This car
   >was/is a luxury sedan with leather seats and wooden panelling.

   >Any info would be greatly appreciated.

           What you are getting is either a Rover P5 (3 litre engine) or a
   Rover P4. Apart from certain specific sub-assemblies and components, they
   are two rather different cars.  The P4 traces itself back to the immediate
   post War period and was steadily revised until its removal from the market
   in 1964.  The P5 was launched in 1958 and was Rover’s first attempt to
   build a "modern" monocoque car — it left the stage in about 1973.
           I have examples of both cars and will gladly try to answer any
   specific questions.
           Parts for both are available ex-UK.  They are both very easy cars to
   work on.
           Your best bet is to get a copy of the UK monthly magazine "Practical
   Classics" — they have covered both of these cars prolifically. Its pages
   also give the contact addresses of the UK Rover car clubs and parts suppliers
   — almost mandatory knowledge for anyone seeking to build up a car of this
   age and type.
   Good luck!
   Keith Coman
2. admin says:

   February 10, 2010 at 1:22 am

   In article <2tksgp$…@yeshua.marcam.com> dav…@marcam.com (David MacMahon)
   writes:
   

   >I am considering acquiring a particular ’61 English Rover (really
   >English – the steering wheel is on the right).  It needs some work, but
   >at this point I’m not sure exactly what.  I imagine that it is next to
   >impossible to get parts here in the States, but how difficult would it
   >be to get parts shipped from England?  I have a ’76 VW camper and I
   >know there are organizations related to old VWs.  Are there any similar
   >groups for Rovers of this type?
   >NOTE: I’m pretty sure this is NOT a Land Rover.  This car
   >was/is a luxury sedan with leather seats and wooden panelling.
   >Any info would be greatly appreciated.

   Probably a Rover 90, often called a "Granny".  Very much the domain of fairly
   well-to-do little old ladies.  Heavy, posh, tight, smell like a shoe shop.  
   Excellent build quality.  They enjoyed limited distribution in the US, so they
   occasionally surface in a junkyard, but only rarely.  Look in the "R –parts
   and service" section of Hemmings Motor News (available at newsstands) to get
   an idea of commercial support for Rovers and pricing on same.

   As to whether you should pick the beast up or not — depends.  Properly
   restored and running, they are very elegant and smooth, but dull to drive.  If
   the cosmetics need work, hellish expensive to redo, if you care.  Consider it
   as a British version of a Volvo, with a bit more class.  Parts are plentiful
   in England (they built these things to one design for about a century), but
   you have to find a contact.
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