Description

1940 Rover Ten P2 Saloon

Just two owners for the last 30 years; well-maintained and in regular use; a lovely old Rover with bags of character

The Rover Ten was a classic example of Rover's design philosophy – to supply quality cars at a medium price to respectable folk who wanted something superior to a Ford or an Austin. Beautifully made and trimmed, the Ten fulfilled its brief admirably and remained in production from 1927 to 1947.

The final iteration was the P2 which came out in 1939 with a new Pressed Steel body to bring the styling into line with the larger models in the Rover range. A new cylinder head increased the power of the 1,389cc engine from 44 to 48bhp while the gearbox gained synchromesh on the top two ratios.

First registered in London in January 1940, this charming Rover Ten was to remain in the capital right up until 1992, owners from 1946 onwards being detailed in a buff logbook and an old V5 which shows that it was resident in Soho throughout the 1980s.

A large file of invoices indicate that the car was sympathetically restored in the mid-1980s, including a rebuilt engine, the mileage at this point being c.76,500.

From 1992 – 2008 it was owned by a Mr Gingell of Swansea who clearly maintained it well, fitting many new parts and taking it to various shows. Our vendor, a long-standing member of the Rover Sports Register, acquired the car from Mr Gingell in 2008 and has also continued to look after it well, doing several weddings in the car for friends and family.

In light regular use, 13 old MOTs show that the car has covered some 5,600 miles since 1996, the odometer currently showing 82,732 miles. The vendor states that it has proved very reliable during his 14-year ownership and has been a pleasure to drive, although he points out that the fuel gauge is not currently working. He is only reluctantly parting with the car due to illness.

As you can see in the photos, FYT 744 looks most attractive with bags of character and a pleasing patina. It has been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 30psi oil pressure. A useful quantity of spares and tools are stored in the boot and there are two sets of keys.

We get to drive a huge variety of cars in this job but it is always a pleasure to slip behind the wheel of an old Rover – smooth and refined, they just exude quality and this one is no exception.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com