|
|
Post by neochan on Apr 8, 2015 11:58:28 GMT
Hello,
First time on this site but I thought I’d share this with some other P5 fans, my Rover P5 (Mark III, Automatic, 1966) was my parents for many years most of which was hardly used. My father had his P5 restored for my sisters wedding in 98 and was used again for my brothers wedding in 02. But sadly since its been left in the garage and hasn’t been touched for 13 years.
I think its quite a special P5 as it has a factory fitted limousine conversion. After my brothers wedding my dad was trying to sell it but after I begged him not to it was given to me as a 21st birthday present. It was an amazing present to receive but I did not have any means to do anything with it and it’s not moved since. :-(
Now I’m engaged and getting married in 2017 I would love to be able to get the P5 ready for the big day and have the same car as my sister and brother had. It’s not going to be easy, apart from bodywork and anything mechanical a mouse has been in and east some of the back seat and who knows what else.
Whether or not I can do anything with it will depend on budget so I don’t know what will happen. But either way it’s time I sorted it out or it will have to move on to another home. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Apr 8, 2015 14:01:21 GMT
Hi Welcome to the forum  You have a bit of a dilemma  you are probably going to spend quite a bit of cash to get it sorted but as it has quite a few memories it may be worthwhile? If it's running take it to a friendly garage for a pre MOT inspection and that will give you a good idea of what to do for a start. Good luck in whatever you decide! |
|
|
|
Post by Multi-Tech on Apr 8, 2015 17:01:43 GMT
It's always a problem with these cars when they become such a condition but understand where your coming from, I've had my dads 3.5 arrive at my workshop for work (needs a lot) and now all I want to do is try and buy it back and carry out a full restoration..... The cost doesn't make it worth it but the history to the car does so I'm going to be one to say go for it but take Johns advise and get the car checked first before you end up in to deep, I'm ok as I do this for a living but for someone that doesn't you could end up spending so much more then the value of the car just because of what the car means to you.
Good luck and keep us posted
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Apr 8, 2015 17:50:12 GMT
Go-head - you will live to regret if not but do not underestimate time and cost. It is not an investment either just a family heirloom
|
|
|
|
Post by davidg on Apr 8, 2015 19:41:22 GMT
Where are you based, we have a Rover specialist in Suffolk whose work is reasonably priced and he does a really good job, I have just started using him, Jason Moore, I expect you are the other side of the country?
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Apr 8, 2015 20:40:46 GMT
I'm in Merseyside, I have someone in mind to take a look at it. Someone we've used a few times and works on a number of old cars but doesn't specialise in Rovers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Warwick on Apr 9, 2015 2:55:51 GMT
What did the limousine conversion entail?
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 9, 2015 13:51:41 GMT
Sorry not been here for a while. I'm got some help and the P5 is going to be dug out of the garage this Sunday.
As for the limousine conversion am not sure about all of the differences. The main difference is there is a glass sliding screen between the driver and the rear passengers and the seats are bench seats in front and back.
I've been searching online and I've not been able to find any information on the limousine conversion. I'm not sure of the source but my Dad once told me that there was only 2 built with this specification so would be good to know if that's true.
|
|
|
|
Post by PeterMadden on Oct 9, 2015 15:31:08 GMT
If I remember correctly a company called Radford produced a removable divider screen to separate the riff raff chauffeur from the passengers in the back. I don't think I've ever seen one fitted to a car and I don't know how many were manufactured.
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 9, 2015 15:49:01 GMT
Here is a dusty photo access is very limited in the lockup but once its out I'll be able to get some better ones. You can see the front bench seats and the screen. |
|
tonys
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 419
|
Post by tonys on Oct 9, 2015 18:23:28 GMT
It would seem that the limousine conversion is very rare. There is reference in James Taylor's book, but it doesn't state much more than the fact that it was made by Harold Radford and was only for use with a bench front seat. It was trimmed to match the upholstery and was removeable.
It was available on the MK1, and I can't imagine many MK111s were converted, as I don't think a bench front seat was listed as an option on the MK111. It's always possible it was transferred from an earlier car.
There's also a reference in Brookland's book, states introduced for 1961 year, 2 sliding glass panels, 4-point fixing, easily removed. Spring loaded plunger fits in hole in a plate attached to top of door pillar, and a thumb screw working in a slotted bracket on each door pillar just above the too of the seat squab.
Slacken thumb screws, division pivots around top spring loaded plungers, allowing seat to move forward/back. Idea was that it could be left in for use during the week and removed to become a normal saloon at weekends.It would be interesting to know if any others survive.
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 12, 2015 8:18:01 GMT
Thank you for that info, unfortunately the person who was going to help me dig it out of the garage couldn't help on Sunday. He's helping now on Tuesday evening so we'll see how much we can get done while it's light out.
I'm trying to remember now the interior and from what I can remember the screen looks quite permanent and if it is removable it's not been out while its been in our family.
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 15, 2015 12:29:09 GMT
Right I've dug it out of the garage now, I don't think its looking too bad. Got a mechanic coming next week to have a look. :-)   |
|
|
|
Post by GlennR on Oct 16, 2015 7:09:48 GMT
It actually looks quite decent |
|
|
|
Post by Colin McA on Oct 16, 2015 18:50:43 GMT
very smart and works with the bench seat.
Chauffuers must have been slim and short back in the sixties....
|
|
|
|
Post by djm16 on Oct 17, 2015 2:04:59 GMT
The intact leather seats are worth thousands of pounds to protect. So assuming they really are leather, get yoursefl a litre of this: www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Revive.phpand start putting it on before you sit on the seats and split and crack the leather. |
|
|
|
Post by GlennR on Oct 17, 2015 6:52:43 GMT
very smart and works with the bench seat. Chauffuers must have been slim and short back in the sixties.... That would have been me out then. |
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Oct 17, 2015 9:02:07 GMT
Would suit me as I am now skinny and always had short legs!
It would be interesting to find out whether the division was Radford one or another one-off by another coachbuilder subcontracted by the factory?. It does not look like the one in James Taylor's book either which was made for Mk1a's
The bench seat looks to be out a Mk1/Mk2 but cannot be as no centre armrest so the upholstery will not match the Mk3 rear seat
IMHO the P5 is not big enough for such a conversion anyway - they should have gone for the cheaper Humber Super Snipe or Imperial which is eminently suitable and far more spacious and has the length and style to carry it
More pics would be nice as its certainly a very interesting interesting car and probably unique
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 19, 2015 10:41:40 GMT
I'm a little sort but not slim and I fit in OK. The mechanic is coming this afternoon to have a look. I've got a can of petrol and a new battery so hopefully we'll be able to get it going.
I've been talking to my Dad about the screen. He is sure it was there from new but doesn't know who by, when he bought the car in the 80's he was told that there was only 3 produced with the same screen. Could this kind of information be available on a heritage certificate?
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 19, 2015 10:49:13 GMT
The intact leather seats are worth thousands of pounds to protect. So assuming they really are leather, get yoursefl a litre of this: www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Revive.phpand start putting it on before you sit on the seats and split and crack the leather. Thanks for the tip, I've ordered a bottle. :-) |
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Oct 19, 2015 12:08:43 GMT
Doubt it about the Heritage certificate but Rover were better at recording than BLMC were when they took over in 1968
|
|
|
|
Post by Warwick on Oct 20, 2015 2:08:22 GMT
... I've got a can of petrol and a new battery so hopefully we'll be able to get it going. ... It's probably too late by the time you read this. Make sure that the reserve tap is turned off so you aren't drawing petrol from the bottom of the tank, and pour the petrol in well before you intend to attempt to start the car. That will give any old loose sediment that gets stirred up a chance to settle again before being pulled through to the pump and filter. Good luck. |
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 20, 2015 9:20:33 GMT
Hello,
The guys I've got working on it are classic specialist although of the VW variety. They said they were trying to pump the new fuel directly to the engine, they said they will drain the old tank. However the engine failed to even turn over, and they weren't sure what the problem is. They said they will be back today.
In the mean time my dad has dug out a pile of old documents for the car, and some old photos of the car that my dad took in the mid 90's when it was looking at its best. I'll get them on here soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 20, 2015 10:49:09 GMT
Yes the first thing they did was strip out all the plugs, they don't seem to be going gung ho at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by neochan on Oct 20, 2015 10:59:06 GMT
|
|
you are probably going to spend quite a bit of cash to get it sorted but as it has quite a few memories it may be worthwhile?
