All year use

[Deleted]

Does anyone use their P5 all year round and if so what -if any are the problems(apart from the petrol usage).
I would imagine that the car would start to deteriorate from the word go- more so in the winter-is this the case?

[Richard '69 Saloon]

Hi Dave,
I have been using my P5B saloon all year but not as a main car. Free road tax means I don't have to lay it up over the winter. I try to avoid the worst of the weather but have used it to commute to work through busy traffic as well as longer more pleasurable trips. I haven't noticed any deterioration but then mine is a kind of on-going running restoration, so I'm always titivating. It isn't mint, never will be!
It's a good question you've asked and it'll be interesting to hear people's views. I think Phil uses his everyday and I have heard that others do too.
When I do use it, whatever the weather I always find myself pondering the question of whether I could practically use it every day. They are so comfortable and competent that I forget I'm driving a 38 year old car.
Fuel consumption aside (I'm averaging 22/23mpg) the car is a joy to use everyday. I've fitted electronic ignition and a decent stereo and might invest in one of those intermittent wiper things as getting caught in slow rain outwits the ancient wiper system, but otherwise they were clearly built to be used everyday whereas a Ferarri or more exotic, fragile classic perhaps was not (arguably).
Why don't you try it through the summer months and review the situation in the autumn?
Good question, it'll be interesting to see how you get on.
Cheers,
Richard

[Phil Nottingham]

Yes I have mentioned this several times and the problems that ensue - I use both mine daily as a commute of 24 miles round trip + occasional business use of short and long trips as I have no modern cars unless really bad weather then I use one of the Land Rover's

Others owners do as well and as long as you do not want a concours car they are far more practical and cheaper than any modern car - if you can look after them yourself. If that's not possible provided you have access to a reliable mechanic then its still they best option.

Not using causes problems after all they were designed to be driven not live in a garage most of the year.

Like Richard above the comfort/driving position/gearbox of a P5 (as does a Land Rover strangely) suits my medical problem and make the chore of driving and getting stuck in endless traffic hold-ups more bearable.

So go for it or buy another P5 for the purpose

[mancamefirst]

Bought ours in September last year. Can't claim to use it everyday, but i use it most days. I commute Surrey to Middlesex (Wembley) weekdays (North and South Circulars) I use the Rover one to three times per week, depending on weather (it didn't go out in the snow, but was on the road again before the grit/salt had all washed away) and how much money I've spent on fuel so far that month. Other days I commute in a Smart Fortwo. Weekend journeys are all in the Rover. (Interestingly I've spotted two P5B's on the move since we bought ours and both were whilst i was in the Smart)
We bought the car to use, it lives on our drive as we don't have a garage. I don't really know any classic car owners so difficult to assess its relative condition, I guess its far from mint, it looks nice from a distance, albeit that distance has grown a little since we bought it. In terms of reliability (I'm typing whilst clutching an oak dining table) so far so good, a puncture and some very minor electrical gremlins. Through the winter the car started fine, ran well, didn't mist up particularly badly considering no aircon. Overheating is my current worry, not that its done that yet but i like to have something to stress about. (Not forgetting the MOT due next month)

[Phil Nottingham]

Sort your radiator out and this will be no worry - for a while at least

[mancamefirst]

Phil

Yes I understand from what I've read ideally I should get a three core rad or get mine 'done' so its three core. This would mean I probably don't need an electric fan, although if I fit one that would improve MPG.

Thats what i think I've read, I do make notes as I research so I can refer back when the time is right.

[Phil Nottingham]

Quite correct - a 3 rad + electric AND remove the original fan is the sensible option.

However my 3 core is wearing out and I will soon have to have it recored!! No overheating though and still have old fan blades

[Richard '69 Saloon]

I've also been worried about overheating as can be read from previous threads. My car runs hot, and gives the impression that it will overheat and boil over as soon as I get stuck in traffic on a hot day. However, it hasn't done this, the temp remains steady although right at the top of the N on the gauge. So, I'm getting used to its rather high running temp and growing more confident, slowly.
I have had my radiator refurbished with three cores fitted. I also fitted an expansion tank for the radiator as it was using a bit of water after a run. The expansion tank (plastic bottle actually) works a treat and it no longer uses water and the temp is rock steady.
If the running hot problem had persisted, then I would have probably invested in a Kenlowe fan next, but at the moment this looks unnecessary. (touch wood!)
Richard

[Phil Nottingham]

Yes I would wait and see - my gauge records too low - why do you not recalibrate it if you are certain you are not overheating. The stability of the reading is more important so if you are not loosing excessive water and its not smelling of hot engine oil etc and/or running on and/or faltering through fuel vaporisation then its likely to be the gauge

[Richard '69 Saloon]

That's a good idea Phil.
My car shows none of those symptoms, so I'm sure that it's not overheating. Even when stuck in traffic the gauge barely moves. When I lift the bonnet after a run, it's no hotter than my dad's whose gauge reads a lot lower than mine.
So how do I go about recalibrating the gauge Phil, is there an adjustment on the back?
Cheers,
Richard.

(While I'm at it, could I recalibrate the fuel gauge as well so it looks like I'm doing 35 to the gallon?!)

[Phil Nottingham]

You slightly tweak the needle to alter its position but if you fual guage is overeading teh voltage regulator/stabiliser on the back of the console could be faulty - try another

[carelsantman]

Hi all,
I use my P5b coupe 1972 allmost every day in Holland for two years now.
The car is not mint, but looks fine.
The technical part is modernised bit by bit.
Have put on electronic ignition and to prevent overheating in modern Dutch traffic I did put on a Kenlow heavy duty fan wich works perfectly.
Besides that I did put on LPG to drive more economically.
It realy is a joy to drive, prefer it over my Dodge Ram Van, which drives comfortable but lacks the real character.
The only thing that needs attention sometimes are the spark plugs and ignition system during the wet and cold winter times.
At work there are allways people that ask in wich car I did come, and they like it when I did come in my Rover.
I also had lots of people coming to me for a chat when I park the car or when I am at a petrol station.
The only disatvantage is that people allways know where I went or was.
I can never say I was not somewhere when they spotted the car because I am the only one wich such a car in this area.

Greetings, Carel

[Allan NZ P5b]

I have had my Rover p5b for 4 years and it was purchased as a non runner to be my daily driver.
It had always been in use until it was parked up for about 6 months because of a gearbox problem. I purchased it and had gearbox and torque converter reconditioned then did a WOF (Warrant of fitness) it failed as expected and that pin pointed the areas to work on first. Did a lot of work on suspension, new shocks, nylothan bushes, new tyres and work on brakes, Since then it has been in daily use except for 2 months to do the panel and paint and 10 days to do the top end of the engine. I did put in a new battery and electronic ignition and electric fan. I park it outside all day at the office and in a carport at night. It has never failed to get me to work and I service very diligently every 6 months.

It is so much nicer to drive than a modern car and get comments everywhere I go. But I can't hide from anyone as the cars are rare on the road here in New Zealand.

Regards

[theroveringmember]

Bought mine 22 years ago & used her every day for a few years but she went home a bit so we restored her over 2 years & shes just about to be returned to the road after another (5 year) sojourn & subframe swap. Since the resto she hasn't been an everyday car due to the insurance clause saying she has to be garaged at night & we live in a terraced house so can't park outside. We use our P4 110 & P6's daily though & I would have no hesitation in using a P5 daily if we had or get another one. Not much difference between any classic cars as regards being used everyday, I should think....except price.

[Deleted]

allannz said:

I have had my Rover p5b for 4 years and it was purchased as a non runner to be my daily driver.
It had always been in use until it was parked up for about 6 months because of a gearbox problem. I purchased it and had gearbox and torque converter reconditioned then did a WOF (Warrant of fitness) it failed as expected and that pin pointed the areas to work on first. Did a lot of work on suspension, new shocks, nylothan bushes, new tyres and work on brakes, Since then it has been in daily use except for 2 months to do the panel and paint and 10 days to do the top end of the engine. I did put in a new battery and electronic ignition and electric fan. I park it outside all day at the office and in a carport at night. It has never failed to get me to work and I service very diligently every 6 months.

It is so much nicer to drive than a modern car and get comments everywhere I go. But I can't hide from anyone as the cars are rare on the road here in New Zealand.

Regards

[Deleted]

Hello Allan, was interested to read you have nylothane suspension bushed your P5b. Do you have details of the bushes (I wonder if they are available here in Melbourne?) and where to obtain in NZ
Thanks Mike Petryszyn RCCA.

[Allan NZ P5b]

I went to the shock shop in Penrose Auckland. they are all franchised so it depends on the operator but these guys found the bushes from other cars, and also they have people who can machine them up as the stuff is easy to turn up.
Try here also www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au/Rover%20P5%20P5B%203litre%203.5litre.htm
Scots may tell you his supplier or help you.
the suspension was not cheep $2700.00 for 4 new shocks nylothane bushes re temper 1 set of rear springs. plus 1 new ball joint. with new tyres car handles surprisingly well but it is a bit harsher than originally designed but body roll is lots less and car feels happier when pushed.

I would go and see a specialist suspension shop or a classic workshop that targas classics for rally use and talk to them. that was how I found the guy I used.

Regards

[Deleted]

Thanks for the suspension bushes info.
Mike P. RCCA

[John Stacey]

I was beginning to think that I was a voice in the wilderness with my endless pleadings to members to use their cars. Lynne`s P5b XEU 101k is now celibrating 10 years on the road as the family car. A 100 mile round trip to Taunton from Bristol at least twice a month in all winds and weather.
Yesterday a 100 mile round trip to a village fete and car event.
I agree with most of the points made above with regard to modification for daily use. Remove the belt driven fan and replace with a good electric one would be my number one tip. The main point being that in the inevitable summer traffic jam the belt fan moves at idling speed just when extra air is required.
Taking all costs, including petrol, ours has been the cheapest motoring we have ever enjoyed.
For those intent on use in excess of 10,000 miles a year, LPG is a well established option for the Rover V8.
"Use it or loose it"
John Stacey , Bristol Rep.

[Deleted]

Mine gets used as often as I can,I'm no big fan of wrapping a car up in cotton wool in a de-humidified garage all year.
Hey,on Sunday I was trundling down the M25 in the pouring rain looking in my rear-view mirror thinking "I must invest in some rear mudflaps sometime"...poor sods behind,fair bit of spray
Modification wise it has a 3-core rad,Kenlowe electric fan and electronic ignition...as well as having my original Radiomobile unit converted to FM and a discreet 3.5mm jack plug for my i-pod.
I have no problems using her everyday,my only gripe being the tiny size of the fuel tank,making fill-ups a regular occurence
I do clean/wax it thoroughly though and get underneath with a low-pressure jet wash to remove crud build up.
She's a fine,fine car suits a relaxed driving style,but able to bear her teeth when needs be (as the owner of an Audi A4 will testify on Sunday )

[Deleted]

Prove it's no trailer Queen...loaded and ready for work! ;D

[Peter Mueller]

It is interesting to see, and encouraging to read, that so many owners do use their cars on a regular basis. Ours was bought 9 years ago after our return from New Zealand and our daily driver, i.e. only car, for 2 1/2 years. During that time it saw - and coped with - pretty much anything we threw at it, from motorway journeys including standing traffic in mid-summer to 3 inches of snow in Edinburgh.

Over time we have done a few things with the aim to improve or safeguard her usability, such as a Lumenition, better coil and leads, Kenlow, overhauled gearbox + gearbox oil cooler and better tyres. When it is not laid up because of a technical problem it is used for recreation, business and commuting besides our 'modern' car.

I can't imagine a more pleasurable way to travel by car and my wife often says it is the ONLY way (and I wouldn't dream of disagreeing with her!).

[Phil Nottingham]

Just got back from our annual trip to Ireland in our P5B saloon - great no p[rtoblems except it rained every day (heavily) and teh rear screen seal has sprung a leak.

Only saw three other classic cars and one was actually a smart 2 tone green P5 Mk2 manual/od saloon parked in the hotel car park we were actually staying in Rosscarbery. It was on Eire reg plates but suspect it was originally a recent UK impoart as was missing its rear nimber plate carrier plate, otherwise very nice indeed. Had a P5 OC Club sticker

Hung around around for a while but had to go - any owners up

On Passage East car ferry C Waterford last Saturday - it was not raining for a change

[Colin McA]

Just wanted to chip into this thread.

Since my old P5b has passed the MOT I have been using it as much as possible in all weathers. I am seriously considering running it instead of buying a modern car which I have been looking at doing recently.

I took this photo the other day.

Colin

[Phil Nottingham]

Action - picture nice, is Admiralty Blue or black?

Go for it - We've been running P5's as daily drivers since 1993, no modern cars since and have never regretted it