Rover P5
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| Rover P5 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | The Rover Co. Ltd. then British Leyland |
| Production: | 1958–1973 |
| Successor: | Rover SD1 |
| Class: | FR full-size car |
| Mark I "3-Litre" | |
| Production: | 1958–1962 20,963 produced |
| Body styles: | 4-door saloon |
| Engines: | 3.0 L I6 |
| Mark II "3-Litre" | |
| Production: | 1962–1965 21,158 produced |
| Body styles: | 4-door saloon 4-door Coupe |
| Engines: | 3.0 L I6 |
| Mark III "3-Litre" | |
| Production: | 1965–1967 6,420 produced |
| Body styles: | 4-door saloon 4-door Coupe |
| Engines: | 3.0 L I6 |
| P5B "3.5-Litre" | |
| Production: | 1967–1973 20,600 produced |
| Body styles: | 4-door saloon 4-door Coupe |
| Engines: | 3.5 L Rover V8 |
The Rover P5 series (commonly called 3-Litre and 3½ Litre for the engine displacement) was a group of large saloon and coupe automobiles produced from 1958 through 1973. Sometimes called a "middle-class Rolls-Royce", the P5 was extremely popular with United Kingdom government officials. Even the Queen is said to have favored driving her P5.
Mark I
The P5 appeared in 1958. Powered by a 3.0 L (2995 cc/182 in³), it quickly became known as the "3-Litre". This straight-6 engine used an overhead intake valve and side exhaust valve, an unusual arrangement inherited from the Rover P4. Some early P5s had drum brakes, but most had power discs in front. An automatic transmission and power steering were optional. A Mark I-A line, introduced for 1961, featured a minor restyle with added front quarter windows. 20,963 had been produced when production of the original series ended in 1962.
Mark II
The Mark II version of the P5 was introduced in 1962. It featured more power (129 hp/96 kW) from the same 3.0 L engine and an improved suspension, but the most notable addition was a coupe body style. This 4-door version featured a lowered roofline and thinner b-pillars, giving it the look of a hardtop. 5,482 coupes and 15,676 saloons had been produced when it was replaced in 1965.
Mark III
The more modern-looking Mark III was introduced in 1965. It was again available in two 4-door body styles, coupe and saloon. The Mark III used the same engine as its predecessor, but it now produced 134 hp (99 kW). 3,919 saloons and 2,501 coupes were sold when production ended in 1967.
P5B
The final iteration of the P5 appeared in 1967. Now powered by the 3.5 L (3528 cc/215 in³) Rover V8 engine also used in the 3500, the car was commonly known as the 3½ Litre. The final letter in the "P5B" model name came from Buick, the engine's originator. The automatic transmission and power steering were now standard. The exterior was mostly unchanged, apart from bold '3.5 Litre' badging, a set of driving lights were added below the head lights, creating a striking 4 light array. The P5B existed as both the 4-door coupe and saloon body style until end of production. 9,099 coupes and 11,501 saloons had been built when the P5 series ended in 1973.
The last batch of P5Bs to roll off the Rover line were reserved for government use. Indeed, they were often seen at Westminster for more than a decade. These days the P5 series is becoming a sought after collector car. Generating most interest are the more sporty and rarer coupes.
A Burgundy coloured example is seen in the biographical film, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers" ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352520/ ).
| Automobiles made by BMC, BL and Rover Group companies | ||
| Austin | Austin-Healey | British Leyland | Jaguar | MG | Morris | Riley | Rover | MG Rover | Triumph | Vanden Plas | Wolseley
| ||
| Austin models: A40 | Cambridge | Westminster | A35 | Mini | Mini Moke | 1100/1300 | 1800 | Allegro | Maxi | 3-Litre | Mini Metro | Maestro | Montego | ||
| Austin-Healey models: 100 | 3000 | Sprite | ||
| British Leyland models: Princess | P76 (Australia only) | ||
| Jaguar models: XJ6 | XJ12 | XJS | ||
| Morris models: Minor | Oxford | Cowley | Mini | 1100/1300 | 1800 | Marina/Ital | ||
| MG models: MG A | Magnette | Midget | Montego | MG B | MG C | 1100/1300 | MG RV8 | MG F/TF | MG ZT | MG ZR | MG ZS | MG SV | ||
| Riley models: Pathfinder | 2.6 | 1.5 | 4/68 | Elf | Kestrel | ||
| Rover models: P4 | P5 | P6 | SD1 | 25 | 75 | 45 | 400 | 200 | 100 | 800 | 600 | CityRover | Estoura | ||
| Triumph models: Herald | Spitfire | Vitesse | GT6 | Stag | TR7 | Toledo | 1300 |1500 | 2000 | 2.5 & 2500 |Dolomite | Acclaim | ||
| Vanden Plas models: Princess | 3-Litre | 1100/1300 | ||
| Wolseley models: 4/44 | 6/90 | 15/50 | 1500 | 16/60 | 6/99 | 6/110 | Hornet | 1100/1300 | 18/85 | ||
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