thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on Jan 7, 2023 19:13:24 GMT
Hi, as always I like to find out about my 64 P5's history. I have been refitting the exhaust and am interested to find out about Bell exhausts. Bell is printed on both stainless silencers, the pipes are steel. They seem to be good quality and the exhaust on the car, though rusty, is functional. I see they make full stainless systems but for MG, Jaguar, Triumph etc but not Rover. From a thread on this forum 2020, Brendon69 says that Bell "tell me they used to supply Rover with all their exhausts many years ago". Looking at the history of Rover and it's collaborations with other manufacturers is worth recording for posterity. Does anyone have any info on when Bell supplied Rover P5's with exhausts and when did they stop? Attachments:
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Post by Eric R on Jan 7, 2023 20:29:54 GMT
talks of Jaguars only but if its the same supplier they might be able to advise news.sngbarratt.com/category/retail/The Heritage Building, Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth, WV15 6AP, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)1746 765 432 E: sales.uk@sngbarratt.com
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Jan 7, 2023 23:01:27 GMT
Until the mergers of the British car manufacturers which started in the 1930s and finished in the 1970s collaborations were extensive. They were merely car assemblers using parts made by independent manufacturers who either had off the shelf generic parts or worked with the car manufacturers to make a specific part. Rover trimmed and finished the bodywork which required careful skill which diminished under BLMC cost cutting days but in 3 Litre days was second to Rolls Royce standards (Rolls Royce & Bentley body shells were pressed and welded up by Pressed Steel Co then an independent company from any car maker and who built the Rover P5 shells)
Most engine and gearbox components were bought in and Rover merely machined them to fit and assembled them
Exhausts were certainly bought-in to Rover's spec. Bell is a longstanding aftermarket supplier and stainless systems were not part of Rover's vision as too expensive, noisy, heavy and expensive
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Post by MK IA Norway Viking on Jan 8, 2023 7:57:04 GMT
The vendor that will have suitable parts for you is JR Wadhams. Their exhaust systems work very well. It is recommended to take mild steel, for this is closest to the original design. Stainless steel will last much longer, though.
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Post by Sam Bee on Jan 8, 2023 16:12:15 GMT
Bell were indeed the supplier of exhausts to Rover, although I do not know the dates they were thus involved, I know they did both P5 and P6 exhausts. I have recently fitted my P5B with their stainless system; fitted perfectly. Lifetime guarantee. They were in Swindon but now trade as 'Bell Steel Fabrications Ltd' at Cricklade.
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thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on Jan 8, 2023 19:13:28 GMT
Hi I was wondering if anyone has contacted ' Bell ' exhausts about their history with Rover in the past? I was thinking of contacting them and seeing if they can tell us anything. Is it OK to use the Rover P5 club as wanting to know or should I just keep it as an individual query?
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Post by Sam Bee on Jan 9, 2023 10:20:32 GMT
As an individual query, please. But you could mention that you are an active owner and member of the P5 Club.
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thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on Jan 10, 2023 19:46:05 GMT
Hi I did a quick search and "Holden" say that Bell have been making exhausts for over 40 years. There was a very similar query to mine on the Triumph Sports Six Club site with pictures. Also they say Mr Bell retired over ten years ago from the date of the post. I will contact Bell as an individual to gather info. On another note when removing my radiator there was a sticker saying "A?on Radiators 435210". It looks like it's an original Rad. Was there a collaborator who supplied Rover's with Radiators and what were they called. Just think of me as an archaeologist who knows that if details about how Rover P5's where built are gone and not recorded they are gone for ever. I always record any numbers I find on parts I take off. I have read all I can find on Rover P5's there does not seem to be a detailed historical archive on how they were constructed.
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Jan 11, 2023 9:12:13 GMT
Serck supplied the rads. During industrial action in the 60s and 70s components had to be sourced from wherever possible
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