Rover P5

Rover P5
Rover
Production	1958–1973
Class	Luxury saloon
Body Style	4-door saloon, 4-door coupé
Length	186.5 in (4737 mm)
Width	70 in (1778 mm)
Height	61 in (1549 mm) Saloon, 58 in (1473 mm) Coupé
Wheelbase	110.5 in (2807 mm)
Weight	3,498 lb (1,587 kg) (3.5 litre saloon)
Transmission	Rear-wheel drive, Borg Warner Type 35 3-speed automatic gearbox
Engine	3.0L I6, 3.5L V8
Power	129, 134bhp (3-litre), 160 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 210 lbf @ 2600 rpm (V8)
Similar	Jaguar Mark 2, Jaguar Mark X, Jaguar XJ
Designer	David Bache

The Rover P5 is a large luxury saloon car, made by the Rover Company in Solihull from 1958 to 1973. Its pioneering use of monococque construction and the Rover V8 engine, together with its use by royalty and the British Government and Armed Forces, have earned it a lasting place in history. The superb build quality and the opulence of its interior gave it the nickname "the middle-class Rolls-Royce".

See Autopedia's comprehensive Rover P5 Review.

Recent Changes

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Styles and Major Options

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Pricing

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Gas Mileage

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Engine

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Performance

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Reliability

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Safety

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Colors

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Main Competitors

• Alfa Romeo Berlina
• BMW Bavaria
• Citroen DS
• Jaguar XJ
• Maserati Quattroporte
• Mercedes-Benz W108
• Volvo 164

Hybrid Models

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Unique Attributes

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Interior

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Resale Values

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Generations

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Development of the design (1958-1973)

First Generation/Origins (1958–1962)

The P5 appeared in 1958. Powered by a 2995cc inline six-cylinder engine, it quickly became known as the "3-Litre". This F-head 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 at the front. An automatic transmission, overdrive on the manual, and power steering were optional with overdrive becoming standard from May 1960.

The suspension was independent at the front using wishbones and torsion bars and at the rear had a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

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.

An automatic version tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 95mph and could accelerate from 0-60mph in 17.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.5 mpg was recorded. The test car cost £1864 including taxes.

Second generation (1962–1965)

The Mark II version of the P5 was introduced in 1962. It featured more power (129bhp) from the same 3.0L engine and improved suspension, but the most notable addition was the option of a so called coupé body style launched in autumn 1962. This 4-door version was of the same width and length as the saloon, but featured a roofline lowered by two and a half inches (6 cm) along with thinner b-pillars, giving it the look of a hardtop.

5,482 coupés and 15,676 saloons had been produced when it was replaced in 1965.

Third generation (1965–1967)

The more modern-looking Mark III was introduced in 1965. It was again available in two 4-door body styles, coupé 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 coupés were sold when production ended in 1967.

Fourth generation (1967–1973)

The final iteration of the P5 appeared in 1967. Now powered by the 3528cc 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. Rover did not have the budget or time to develop such engines hence they chose to redevelop the lightweight aluminium concept Buick could not make successful. They made it considerably stronger which added some weight but still maintained the engines light and compact features. The Borg Warner Type-35 automatic transmission and power steering were now standard.

The exterior was mostly unchanged, apart from bold '3.5 Litre' badging, a pair of fog lights which were added below the head lights, creating a striking 4 light array, additionally chrome Rostyle wheels with black painted inserts were fitted. The P5B existed as both the 4-door coupe and saloon body style until end of production. 9,099 coupés and 11,501 saloons had been built when the P5 series ended in 1973.

Worldwide

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Design quirks and oddities

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Awards

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