Lot Ended
Description
Professionally restored in the late 1980s including full engine
rebuild and only 20k miles since; in single family ownership from 1964 -
2017; lots of history; advisory-free MOT; a cracking example of
this refined and beautifully built saloon
Considered by
many to be the ultimate development of the P4, the Rover 100 was produced from
1960 until 1962. A replacement for the Rover 90 and 105, it incorporated a
number of improvements inspired by the introduction of the new Rover P5, the
engine being a seven-bearing, short-stroke version of the P5’s 3-litre unit.
Displacing 2,625cc, the uncannily smooth straight-six developed 104bhp
and in conjunction with the four-speed overdrive manual gearbox gave a 95mph top
speed. To handle this extra pace, Rover fitted Girling
servo-assisted disc brakes to the front wheels as a standard feature, a
significant safety upgrade for the era.
A
masterclass in understated luxury, the 100 was the car of choice for the
middle-class British motorist, delivering a remarkably quiet, insulated and
refined ride that made all its rivals seem coarse by comparison.
First registered in Birmingham in September
1959, this handsome P4 100 comes with a large history file extending back many
years. The V5C records six former keepers but from 1964 – 2017 it was owned by
the Cook family of Newent, passing from father to son in 1992.
In 1989 it was treated to a £10k restoration by
Ely Service of Cambridgeshire, a very considerable sum which equates to over
£31k in today’s money. This included localised bodywork repairs, all chromework
replated and a bare metal repaint in the original Shadow Green.
Brakes,
steering and suspension were all overhauled as required and the engine was fully
rebuilt with new pistons, bearings etc. The interior was sympathetically
refurbished and remains pleasingly original, all the work being recorded in
copious work sheets and invoices on file.
The
mileage at this point was just under 28,148 and the odometer now shows 48,915
miles which is believed to be genuine, as mentioned in documents on file. There
are lots of bills for subsequent maintenance and servicing along with 17 old
MOTs from 1990 – 2012.
Our vendor acquired the
Rover from a dealer in March this year for £8,000 and has continued to look
after it well, including an engine service, rebuilt carburettor, new front brake
calipers and period front seat belts. He did point out to us a slight dink in
the right-hand side chassis rail which was caused when he jacked the car up in
the wrong place and will need attention (see last photo).
We
are told that the car drives well with the overdrive working as it should, and
it has certainly been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it
around on site. Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until October
2026 with no advisories recorded.
Overall this is
a very smart looking P4 which has only covered some 20k miles
since the engine was rebuilt. Gamely on offer here at no reserve, the best bid
takes it home.
Consigned by James Dennison –
07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com