Description

1976 Rover P6 3500S

Immaculately presented manual P6; rare Paprika colour; over £20k spent; the best we have seen; lots of history

Fondly refered to as 'The Tangerine Dream', this splendid 3500S was built in September 1975 and delivered to Julians Ltd in Reading, Berkshire according to the BMIHT factory record on file.

The vendor, a regular and historically successful entrant in long-distance rallies, purchased the car to continue his sport, although a recent house move and downsize has meant that the Rover is surplus to requirements.

It was purchased as a rust-free runner and has been painstakingly rebuilt as a long-distance touring car. He enlisted Rover experts Kingsdown Garage in Farringdon to do most of the work, which took place over a nine month period.

They removed and stripped the engine. It was rebored and completely rebuilt and balanced. SD1 heads were fitted along with a sportier cam profile. The engine was reinstalled with a new radiator and electronic ignition -  a rolling road printout on file shows 123bhp and a good dollop of torque at the bottom end of the rev range.

The gearbox was replaced with a later five-speed LT77 box, again from an SD1. The rear 'De Dion' axle was rebuilt with a new CWP and adjustable shock absorbers. The original springs were retained as they were fine.

The brakes were attended to, with new master cylinders and servo and continue to work well. Handling and ride were improved with an uprated anti-roll bar.

Quality Vredestein tyres come part of the package and a recent professional electrical check added a new alternator and lighting upgrades. Although exempt from such matters, it has been regularly MOTd, its current ticket running until May this year.

These P6s can be very heavy to steer if they are not fitted with factory PAS which is fortunately the case with this one. Further enhancements include an electric SU pump and before the car was back on the road, it was given a fresh coat of Paprika - an easy operation on a P6 as the panels simply unbolt. A new windscreen was fitted during the rebuild.

The car has been consistently voted best in category within the local Forest of Dean Car Club, scooping the award three times on the trot. It has covered some 15,000 fair weather miles since completion (mostly abroad) and has been fastidiously cared for throughout.

The vendor reports that he has spent some £20,000 getting the car to his liking and although not all bills are present, the car is easily the best 3500S we have offered and is ready to go. It was driven some 30 miles to the sale and runs happily on unleaded fuel - it even comes with a smart branded Rover car cover.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com