'66 MKIII coupe

[andywarman]

Hi P5b people,

I have recently become interested in these fantastic cars. I remember my uncle buying one in the late sixties/early seventies and I think I got hooked then but have only recently become aware of this! I now have a pile of literature on the cars and have done a fair amount of research into thier history, spec etc. Whilst working over in Huddersfield recently I came across a strange P5 coupe parked in a street- strange because it was obviously a MKIII but had some P5b identifications such as rostlyes, double headlights etc. The admiralty blue bodywork looked good even on close inspection but the cream interior did not appear to be in good order, with tears etc and a part of an exhaust, old battery and other stuff dumped on the rear seat. I forgot about it for a few weeks but found myself back some time after inspecting the car once more. In short I have since been in contact with the owner and have some inofrmation on it. The old guy bought it from an Italian in London three years or so ago and has done some good work to it since. Sadly he has added the wheels and other P5b spec which really need taking off but he says he has the original wheel hubs and some other pieces. I did state to him that if he was wiling I'd like to discuss the sale of the car - but I really have little idea of its value. I realise that it is difficult to do without viewing but can anyone help? It is a MKIII, '66, 3 litre coupe automatic. (Reg PVB 886E) Bodywork solid needs colour restoration, chrome ok front bumper slight rust, 9 months mot and starts and runs very well. Only problem seems to be the interior - needs a lot of work and probably money! Any feed back very welcome, Thanks
Andy Warman

[Phil Nottingham]

MK111 Coupes are only just above the least desirable P5's saloons.

Those P5's without an MOT, poor interiors and none-original fitments are not worth much.

As this one has an MOT at least you cantest drive it too see how it performs and whether the oil pressure - the engine should be very quietand teh autobox smooth.

Check to what the D posts are like and all the other trouble spots such as below the windscreen. See thre P5 website for more. Has any "restoration" been done underneath

Without seeing it its difficult to give a value but £1000-£2000 perhaps but not any more. What is he expecting? If engine/welding etc required then it will be worth much less than £1000

You will need the P5 wheels and straight six wings are more difficult to get hold of

I suggest yo join the club and have a good read of this forum

[andywarman]

Hi Phil and thanks for your thoughts! It seems to me that I need to keep building my knowledge of the P5 and maybe just relax n learn a bit. I'll watch the debates and comments on this site and maybe get a better undertanding of what I am looking for. I am very impressed by the amount of information available on the P5 and the amount of spares and cars for sale have surprised me.

Andy Warman.

[David]

Take a look at
www.roverp5club.org.uk/buyers-g.htm

It's a buyer guide, which may help, though Phil has covered the main 'problems'....

...and I concur with Phil - join the club ;D

[darryl]

Sorry Phil,

The Mk 3 is arguably the best P5. End of the line with a fully developed engine that had been in production since the late 1940's and has less requests for help in these pages. On paper the V8 is faster but over a distance the difference in driving time is negligable... especially if a manual G/box.
And as we all know a straight 6 always sounds better than a V8.
Rgds

[Deleted]

It look liked a comment rather than an opinion - as you say the straight sixes are forgotten but look at any price guide and the prices are the lowest.

My opinion is that the Mk11c was the best P5 - the Mk111 being just a stopgap pending the V8 with its cheap autobox and flash interior but at least it did offer the old fashioned manual gearbox with overdrive and was far quieter and smoother that the V8's

[andy w]

TEXT

A very interesting differing opinion from people. I understand that the MKIII was a 'stop gap' - Rover were well into getting to grips with the Buick V8 by the time they were produced and it appears that a few cosmetics were added in order to attract buyers before the V8 went on sale. But as numbers sold of the MKIII were very low it seems that buyers were very aware of what was coming and were waiting. I can appreciate why the P5b coupe is the most sought after (reflected in the prices) but I think these other cars have a lot of history, interest and appeal for many people.
The amount of technical information on the net (inc the p5 club) is staggering and helps to support the continuation of the cars on the road.
Another issue that does surprise me is the prices of the top class examples and how quickly they are sold. When compared with many other classics P5 of all types are relatively inexpensive to acquire - jags and others are well beyond the £10,000 that would fetch a decent P5 of any make. Perhaps we should all just keep the secret!

Andy W.

[Phil Nottingham]

;)Actualy I prefer the straight sixes although I also like the sound of a V8 and it does have much better accelaration and economy. I have both though so I get the best of both worlds. Never have liked Rostyles either

The build quality of the P5's is far better than the V8's particularly those made after 69 when BL cost cutters started interfering

I am in the minority though and there seems to be more V8's around and in the club.

Even the club as I recall was formed originally for P5B owners