Rover P5/P5B (1958 - 1973)
P5B Coupe

The poor man's Rolls-Royce.

Introduced in 1967, the Rover 3.5 Litre (P5B) was a development of the 3 Litre (P5).
The B suffix stood for Buick. Under the bonnet a light alloy V8 of Buick origin replaced the ageing Rover straight six, giving increased performance and better handling with less weight on the front end. Automatic transmission and power steering were standard.
Like the P5, the P5B was available as a saloon or a fixed head coupe. The more expensive coupe had a lower roof line, individual rear seats, additional stainless steel trim and more instrumentation.
My 1970 P5B Coupe belonged to a retired garage proprietor friend. I had admired it for years before I was able to purchase it when he bought a Bentley. The body had been restored at vast expense and the rebuilt engine had been assembled with low compression pistons, enabling it to run on basic unleaded petrol without adjustment.
Already fitted with electronic ignition by the previous owner, I added an electronic fuel pump and an electric radiator fan as precautions against overheating on our overcrowded roads.
On the road the P5B easily keeps up with the traffic, at the expense of an 18/20 mpg thirst. This does not concern me as the car is mainly used for rallies and shows.
I have now owned the car for ten years and have no plans to change it. In my 78th year, it's light controls and great comfort are exactly what I require. Not for nothing has the P5B been nicknamed the poor man's Rolls-Royce.

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