Sensible Secondhand Classics: 1961 Rover 100 (P4) - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting
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Welcome to Sensible Secondhand Classics, the series where we take a sensible classic car worth between £1000 and £5000 and put it through its paces in a very straightforward manner! This time we test a 1961 Rover 100 (P4), have an overload of distinctive features, keep putting the gearlever in the wrong ratio and deal with no synchromesh on first, struggle with no power steering and 3.8 turns lock to lock, use a shepherd's crook for a handbrake and generally experience little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
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Excellent review Joseph and there is no denying that she's a wonderfully grand old lady - but a rather staid looking one compared to the (far more valuable) Mk 2 Jaguar of the same era. Much the same could perhaps be said about P5 Rover that followed - but that car was driven by the late great Roger Moore in "The Man Who Haunted Himself' - which makes it unutterably cool of course!
The Mark I and Mark II Jaguars are much more expensive these days, sir, would you say that this was a rival for one of those? I would say probably the P5 would have been. I know that film, I have visited the place which was used as his house in North London a couple of times.
What a lovely old car, it takes me back to my child days when my fathers elderly MD had a grey one when he used to visit their engineering factory. I remember that he had grey hair, wore a grey suit and smoked a cigar which just all suited his car. Even at that age I remember how different the gearlever looked from my dads Mk2 Jag, and I remember the characteristic whine as the car pulled off. They were just full of character these old cars,
Oh sir, this car probably has the most character of any I have featured on Sensible Secondhand Classics, and that includes a lot of quirky cars... This would certainly suit an gentleman of advancing years in such a profession at that time.
Great review Joseph. I have a P4 80. I've had her for thirteen years never let me down once. Best of British engineering. Brilliant car to drive.
Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting! I eventually got the hang of driving this, but I would most certainly need the new aftermarket power steering system from a Corsa C that some owners have now developed, along with perhaps an all-synchromesh gearbox, if I were to use one all the time.
Lovely old bus ! The man who lived opposite had one ( 1970 to 1972 ) I was fascinated by it and those rear doors .
Glad you enjoyed the video, sir! Not many of them left now.
Those rear doors were well liked by young ladies in short skirts back in the 60's and 70's because they could enter and exit gracefully without giving the hoi-poloi a grandstand view of their underwear
@@duncanmacpherson2013 , yes, I suppose that is one use for them....
Beautiful looking car is the Rover P4 I am really impressed with the push pull steering method on that roundabout, it certainly gave you a workout!!
Somehow, sir, despite 3.8 turns lock to lock and a turning circle the size of a supertanker, we made it round! I don't intend to exhibit my steering expertise to this extent in the future, though, as Mr Coleman will start telling me off.
Had a P4 100 between 1980 and 2014 plus a P5B Coupe and a P6B 3500S. All very different cars. You gave a very good review being new to the model. A couple of items you may find interesting. When new the steering was actually quite light. The key as someone commented is keeping the kingpins topped up with oil, plus crossply tyres made a hell of a difference which were standard when new. The 6 cylinder engines were almost inaudible even from outside, but put a considerable weight penalty on the front tyres to the obvious detriment in handling. The handbrake when set up correctly would easily hold a 1 in 3 hill but you had to understand how it worked to set it up properly. The gears were never difficult to change so there may be a problem with the car, you only had to respect that first gear was crash. The overdrive in top made a huge difference to cruising. They were never equipped with mirrors from new, and back in the 70s and 80s you many driving around with none. Mine had a heated rear window from the factory and the elements were so tiny you could barely see them but worked perfectly. The sunvisors are standard fitting, why can't manufacturers fit them today? Mine had an hmv radio set that sat in the centre, if none specified aanother wooden glovebox lid was fitted. With these cars it's the detail and engineering that always impressed as current owners will echo. Remember the newest of these now are 60 years old, but back when they were current there was nothing like them. Factory said they would last at least 16 years in service, the fact that a good many were still on the road giving daily service in double that time says it all. Anyway great review.....thanks so much I really enjoyed it. Have subscribed. Best wishes Marco
Thank you for subscribing! With really old cars, they are just much harder to drive than newer ones. They often have non-synchromesh on first gearboxes (like this one), no brake servo (like a Morris Minor), really heavy unassisted steering (like some of the 1.6 Maestros), all round drum brakes (like some Vauxhall Vivas), gearboxes with unconventional patterns (like a Citroen DS) and in some cases quite limited performance (like a Fiat Panda). This means that you have to think a lot more about what you are doing when driving, especially when some of these things are combined together, such as in a P4. I was a bit scared having a go in this, but I managed it, and now I don't have to terrify Alex by driving it again!
You may see that so far this year I have done a 1972 Jaguar E-Type, 1970 Morris Minor Traveller, a 1976 Vanden Plas 1500, a 1973 Peugeot 504 and a 1972 MGB GT on the channel, with more to come soon, so I am not averse to driving older cars, it just takes a lot more effort to take them out on the road and talk to the camera without looking utterly terrified and making mistakes...
Thank you ever so much indeed for watching, commenting and subscribing!
I actually saw a two time blue P4 100 at a classic car show in the summer and was rather taken by it.
My Dream Rover is a P5B in dark blue but as you know I do love the P6, SD1, SD3 and R8. Early post war cars are generally too close to pre war designs for my liking but this is something very special.
To think that in the 1950's we still had rationing in Great Britain. We lead the world with no money and a posh accent. In such times of austerity this majestic car must have really been a symbol of national pride.
The design was extremely modern for 1949, but it did look very dated when production ended fifteen years later. They aren't the easiest to drive, unless you fit an electric power steering conversion from a Corsa and perhaps go for the 105R automatic, but they are very comfortable and charming. There is some serious engineering behind it with things like the Inlet Over Exhaust engine, in this case a modified P5 unit, the Birmabright doors, the gear linkage and the oil level gauge.
I do fancy one of these. Very stately, sensible and classy.
They are a bit of a handful to drive, but you can get an automatic, and there is a power steering conversion available. That would be my preference, as so much else about the car is fascinating....
@@lloydvehicleconsulting My very first car was a 105S. Just passed my test (age 21) and with borrowed money bought it second hand. Never had any problems with steering it or gear changes, probably because all other vehicles I had driven were similar. Never had any problems attrracting young ladies into it either - far better than the sporty jobs my opposition drove. Admittedly they did attract different females!
19:35 to see Joseph get the car fully round a roundabout 😆👍🏻 . Impressive 👍🏻 Like an oil tanker 🤣 .
Brilliant P4 review . Sums it up really well.
Confusing amount of models to choose from, very comfy with leather and wood, massive steering wheel thats hard work, gears that are very..... erm.... precise and an awkward boot 😆 .
Loved seeing you laugh 😄 .
It all got so shambolic at one stage that I had to laugh. Somehow I tried to hold it all together, but predictably it went a bit wrong. It was extremely comfortable with a lovely interior, the steering and gearchange were somewhat challenging...
Alex o watched a few of Joseph's reviews of you collection. You seem to have an eye for some fantastic cars.
@@markonmotoring , we haven't even covered half of the collection yet! I don't know how many more I will be allowed to film, but definitely one of the other ones I would like to do when it is ready.
I meant to say thank you for saving my friend in the boot 👍🏻
We aim to please, my friend! Thank you again for letting me review your car.
What a lovely car. When I saw Rover 100 I was initially expecting a Metro with a blinged grill, then I saw the year.
Good to see you getting a workout with the steering there too sir. You'll be like Popeye soon
3.8 turns lock to lock, no power assistance and a massive turning circle. You did not get what you expected sir, but I hope that you are pleased nevertheless!
What a MAGNIFICENT looking engine compartment! Not just that the top of the radiator has been painted GOLD, but the layout of the exhaust manifold in silver is exquisite - and a dream to show off at car shows! Best I've seen!
When I went to Roverfest in 2022, there was a huge collection of these all in a row, many of them showing off the engine bays.
I have just bought a 1962 Rover 100 and the two things that are challenging about it are changing gears and the heavy steering. These, along with other details like the window wipers and small rear view mirrors have made driving it the first couple of days a bit of a challenge. But I got a nice old car for a low price and it's really just something for fun drives in the country. But as in this video, it takes one by surprise first time around.
Yes, the gearbox and steering are not easy to deal with. I managed it, but it was hard. I can't believe how cheap they are! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.
Great review Mr Lloyd, yes a true Rover from the 50’s(even though that’s a ‘61), it does have an ambiance of middle class about it and I’m thinking that people at the time who could afford to own a car would be well aware what the cars would be like to drive, but even so as you say would need some practice to get used to it.
It’s in very good condition and a credit to Alex and it’s previous owners.
I remember during my teen years in the 90’s a family used one of these as their daily driving family car as the owner preferred cars from the 50’s and 60’s to use on a daily basis.
Thanks again Mr Lloyd and Alex for your review.
Yes, Alex uses this on a daily basis, and so I understand why the people you knew used to do the same thing. She loves it, although I prefer driving the Allegro and Micra. It certainly is a very middle class car, even today. I won't really make a habit of driving cars like this, but it is good to try them on an occasional basis, as it actually requires skill to do it well.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes the Allegro and Micra are probably less of a challenge to drive as they’re not much different to drive than a modern car except no “toys” or “bells and whistles”.
@@willswheels283 , the Micra feels the most similar due to the end-on gearbox, although the steering is very heavy in comparison with a modern car, although the Allegro wasn't bad either.
Great video Joseph. A video from you is a highlight of my day. Thanks. Pete. 🇬🇧
Well sir, we have done a lot of videos recently, so hopefully there is plenty to keep you occupied this week! The P4 was quite something.
Wow, so many memories for me. Travelling on so many long journeys from London to Northumberland and on holiday to Devon in convoy with another P4, all sitting in the back (my Dad never mentioned the suicide door). I remember seeing the Gas Turbine Rover in the science museum, which had a very similar body shape and thinking that our car was the same. Watching your video I could even recall the smell of the leather and the furniture polish.
Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting! The comfort is something I will always remember about this car, and Alex does take this on long journeys. If you can deal with the gearbox and steering, then these can make rather agreeable motorway companions. You are right about the gas turbine JET 1! It does indeed smell of polish and leather...
I have a P4 and I agree that the wing mirrors are a waste of space but I like the internal cabin mirror and find it most useful
The wing mirrors are conversation starter nothing more. Greetings from Poland from a 95 owner
Yes, we may have more actual wing mirrors coming up on a car which will appear in the 5,000 Subscriber Special.
What an experience Sir, British engineering at its best. Alex maintains the Rover beautifully
She does, sir, but she also is used to massive steering wheels, gearboxes with funny layouts and no synchromesh on first gear, all of which I found mildly challenging, shall we say.... An amazing car nevertheless, though!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting You had a go Sir. I have never driven a car of that age, only a Grey Ferguson tractor, probably similar size steering wheel, but it didn’t do above 10mph, so not quite in the same league . The Rover has a beautiful steering wheel though
@@badbooks476 , I did have a go, sir, and now it is safely back in Alex's hands...
Owned a Rover 90 fitted with a Rover 100 engine when I worked in Slough back in the early 70’s. Many happy memories, including polishing the beautiful red leather seats to a high shine using Mansion Polish. Gave the car a beautiful lavender odour. Unfortunately, came to a roundabout at Iver Heath. The car was turned to the right but my backside followed the laws either of gravity or inertia and decided it was going to the left!. On another occasion I called into a filling station, bought fuel then the car refused to start. (battery). Just then their recovery vehicle returned from a call and offered to tow me and bump start it. Great!... until I found that the servo brakes only worked when the engine was running!. Engine started and as I practically stood upright on the brake I stopped about a millimetre from the back of the truck! Only other problem was the 11 gallons to get back home to SouthWales and another 11 gallons to return to Slough. Good old YBP30!
Thanks for watching, Phil! I know that roundabout at Iver Heath very well. We weren't massively far away for this test in Bracknell. Fortunately, the brake servo was working in this one, otherwise stopping it would have been interesting.
I'm sure the braking incident took two or three years off my life!
@@phildavies6020 , it must have been terrifying! Should see plenty more of these P4s over the next couple of days at Roverfest.
Good afternoon Joseph,
Well done on reviewing Alex's P4 Rover 100. I would say your review is a fair one. I have been following Alex for quite a long while now and the the work skills together with her knowledge is to be admired. She restored the seats and door cards herself changing everything from original light blue over to the red interior you see today. All of the wood dash was cleaned and revarnished by her to an excellent standard. She is planning on doing the window wood surrounds as well. In my opinion I think you handled the car well considering you were unfamiliar with it. One little additional piece of information for you about these Rovers and the P5s is that the also had an affectionate nickname in the 50s and 60s, being known as "a poor man's Rolls Royce" due to their build quality level. Overall an enjoyable watch.
A Happy New Year to you.
Cheers, Jon Barnes.
Thank you, John! Happy New Year to you as well. Yes, I normally drive cars with all synchromesh five or speed gearboxes in a conventional pattern, power steering, dual mass flywheels and servo-assisted brakes with ABS, so something like this is quite an adventure. The brake were actually pretty good, although the turning circle really is absolutely huge. Having driven the Allegro and a 1981 Vauxhall Astra on Sensible Secondhand Classics recently too, I am trying to get hold a few more of these older cars, as they are quite interesting. Alex has worked really hard on this car, and it is testament to her skills that the car has come out as well as it has. We are hoping to get some more filming done again soon.
We as a family had a 110 last year of production that my grandfather bought then had to stop driving due to ill health so was given to my father and we used as a family car for about 5-6 years in the mid 70s, really fun as a kid to sit in the back and we used to holiday in Wales from London, was great for longer journeys 5 up with the bench seats
Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting! Yes, I am starting to understand now just how fondly remembered these are. The seats are really, really comfortable! The engine is characterful and has lots of torque, but they are a bit of a handful to drive if you aren't used to old cars.
Excellent job in driving this classic Joseph! You did well, especially since it was unfamiliar to you!
You looked quite handsome whilst driving as I could see you driving a classic like this.
It is rather exceptional, thanks to Alex, as I subscribed to her channel as well as yours.
Another excellent review! Thank you very much Joseph!
Yes, Alex uses this car on a daily basis and she can drive it much, much better than me. It was hard work, I don't intend to make a habit of it... Thank you for subscribing to both our channels!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I will say that you did a very good job driving an unfamiliar car, especially this classic!
And I enjoy both of your channels Joseph!
@@frothe42 , we aim to please, sir!
Joseph you may well be right about having a reversing lamp fitted. Even if it's to warn following drivers that 1 at gear isn't where you may expect it to be. 😅
Well done Sir, must be challenging to relay all that model information and history while driving a car of this vintage.
It was a massive challenge, sir, and I am not sure that I did a very good job, but at least you got to see my push/pull steering technique (don't show Mr Coleman)! There is a reversing light, but it is tiny and does not currently work. I would prefer separate fog and reversing lights.
The Reversing light is incorporated centrally in the rear number plate light and there is super fitted toolkit beneath the facia. P4's were often regarded as the Poor Man's Rolls-Royce! But there weren't cheap when new!!
Yes, you are absolutely right! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.
Hi, I owned a p4 100 back in 1970 , never had trouble with the gears . I did once have the the gear stick come off in my hand once , while at traffic lights on the A40 Denham . I remember the engine was so quiet at tickover , you would think it had stalled . As an eighteen year old I had no problem with steering either . The car you were driving would probably benefit from being greased , makes a big difference . My car had individual seats with separate arm rests , also had overdrive . The reg number on mine was 8307 UR , wonder if it's still out there . Thanks for the video brought back a lot of memories .
Yes, I know the A40 at Denham! I think these days we are used to easier gearchanges, and power steering, and this car has neither. I have driven cars with even heavier steering than this (one of them was a Mark II Volkswagen Polo, funnily enough), at least the brakes are good. The owner does admit that the steering is heavy, but she is just used to it and uses the car all the time anyway! Glad you enjoyed the video.
I had one of these for 20 years . Great car . Like you my grearlever snapped off . Happened twice so I always carried a spare in the boot !!
Great video 👍
I thought that you might enjoy this one!
The rover 80 used the newer series 2A two and a quarter litre landrover engine, while the 60 used the later series one two litre landrover engine, which itself was a development of the P3 1600cc engine.
The gearbox is quite sweet actually once you learn to give it time rather than hustle it, unless you come to a complete halt the engine torque will happily pull away in second so you dont need to worry about 1st gear.
Seventy mph is quite relaxing in overdrive and she will cruise at that all day with a full contingent of passengers. Downside is 24 mpg and 18 running to the shops, although the sixty was slightly better.
Finally I was delighted to see such a lovely car tested. Good choice!
Thank you for watching! It was very difficult to remember all the facts as I was driving, as I don't normally drive cars without an all synchromesh gearbox, and the gearshift pattern is entirely different from everything else I have every driven too... I have now tested three cars from the 1960s on the channel (a 1966 E-Type, a 1968 Midget and this P4) and I am looking forward to testing a 1967 Rover 2000 Automatic in 2022. We have a lot more classics to come on this series that I have already filmed this month, although none quite this old.
I've never had a Rover but love both P4 and P5 and would love either on the drive.
We do like Rovers on this channel, sir! I would like to try a P5 myself too.
Thanks for such a good look at Alex's P4. My goodness though, you're a bit of a babe in the woods re old cars! I hope you're getting better at them thesedays!
Don't drive lots of cars this old, really, as it's not really necessary most of the time. Generally, the cars from the 1970s are a bit easier to drive (although many still have all drum brakes and not even a servo), and then from the late 1980s onwards, they feel much more modern.
These and other classic Rovers were a very big part of my childhood my father use to break them for parts.
Oh really? Yes, I imagine a lot of these must have been scrapped back in the day.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting
It would make cry nowaday,
All those Rovers you mentioned in the video, with really early numbers plates worth a fortune today, plus Rover P5s and the V8 coupes, every kind of P6 and SD1 you could think of. In those days they weren't worth the money or the cost of repairs.
@@paulie-Gualtieri. , yes, a bit like Jaguars from the 1990s and early 2000s these days, I suppose! Don't cry, sir...
A very nice review on a survivor car Joseph.
We aim to please, sir!
Good review. Thank you
Thank you, Rob! Glad you enjoyed it. More Sensible Second Classics coming up soon.
Great review Joseph, some car for 60 years old, built to last. Alex has the engine bay spotless. I wouldn't have bothered with rear window demister, don't use them on modern cars, mist helps block the ugly faces of tail gaters 😄
Yes, Alex's professional expertise shines through when looking at the engine bay of this P4! I get very disturbed if my heated rear window does not work properly for some reason.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I have to agree if my rear window isn't working ..I must be anal retentive.
@@planestrainsdogsncars4336 , the one in our Rover has a couple of lines which do not work. It does irritate me.
Honestly mother what did people do on bench seats especially when on the turn
I don't know, sir, you tell me!
With a little more practice you would get the feel of the gearbox and enjoy. The key is not to rush the changes and match your revs as near as possible to your speed on downchanges. Simpler still, simply stop and move down into 1st while stationary. As for the big steering wheel that is designed to help reduce the effort required for the non assisted steering.
In 1980 our local Education Board Field Centre ran a 1979 Pinto engined LWB Ford Transit minibus and a LWB Land Rover Series 3 crew bus with a 2.6 litre 6 cylinder in the yellow and white colours of the bus that I emailed you. I wonder if that engine has any relationship with the P4 6 cylinder.
Yes sir, I did stop and move into first when stationary! It was still a right hassle, especially as first is where third normally is, and reverse is where first normally is, the steering is four turns lock to lock and is about the size of a tractor tyre, and the power assistance is a distant dream. I don't think I will be making a career of driving cars like this...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting you want to try a Bedford TK. You will learn to love 5 turns lock to lock and mastering a crash gearbox is a wonderful feeling. Once you get the revs right you can even forget about the clutch pedal like you have to do when your clutch needs replacing.
@@seancooke7332 , I won't be attempting any lorry driving, sir, don't you worry!
What a beautiful car
It's aged very well, hasn't it?
A rare bit of nostalgia for me. I had a drive in my late father in lawa Rover 75 back in the late 60s, and also found that gearchange somewhat awkward. Speaking of gear selection, did you find out what the issue was with getting fifth gear on the Stanzas? Keep up the great work!
That gearchange was a bit crazy, sir, and I have not been rushing to ask Alex to have another go! I still don't know what the problem was on the Stanzas, I will have to try a Bluebird and then I will know what the issue was, as they share the same gearbox.
I've had two 100s but that was many moons ago now but they are still my wife's favourite car (she passed her driving test 1st time on a Riley RME). Flat battery? What's 24:16 wrong with using the starting handle?
My goodness me, this was filmed so long that I can't remember even talking about the starting handle... It was very comfortable, although a bit tricky to drive. Thank you for watching!
I love it.
Alex uses it on a daily basis, I am not that brave...
The early modern Japanese cars from the mid 1950's must have thought mudguard mirrors were a good idea from all the British imported models coming in ..They became prolific on their cars until somebody thought there was a better way of doing things.
Well, if you want to see some older Japanese cars with the funny wing mirrors, then there may be something interesting coming up on the channel very soon!
Good video.
Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!
My pleasure! I love P4's. I had a 105 S 20 years ago - wonderful!
Interesting profile👍
2:36 😳 🤣
I don't like gearboxes without synchromesh on first gear....
@@lloydvehicleconsulting they certainly take some getting used to. Best to mainly use 2nd where possible.
@@jrbs , that's one way of dealing with it!
First gear was for towing caravans up 1 in 3 hills so it was seldom used and no point fitting syncromesh lol
Fortunately, these days, you can retro fit electric power steering to make them easier to handle.. The gearbox, however...
Please do not distress yourself regarding not being a "worthy" gearchanger on these lovely cars! In 1960 I was a frightened 10 year old schoolboy - taken to school my classmate's dad's black one like this. The Dad had the "helpful" idea of "educating his son and myself, by doing the gears, while HE did the clutch.( i just did the "crunching")! Every time my otherwise nice journey was tempered by my "cruelty" to the gears, no matter how my non- professional "driving instructor" tried to educate me! Fast forward to learning to drive with a DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, (on a Volkswagen Beetle), when I was 17. PASSED FIRST TIME!
That sounds like just the sort of thing I was interested in at that sort of age! Gearchanges in modern cars do tend to be a bit easier to operate than in this P4.
wow them gears you were really struggling with sir!
It was a proper challenge, sir?
I don't for a minute doubt the professionalism of these interviews. BUT my cynical mind, however, does lead me to suspect that your said " secret documents" might just really be your SHOPPING LIST!
I can neither confirm or deny the contents of the secret mission documents as you know, sir.
Just subscribed to Alex's channel as well...My youtube is full of classic car fans and cheap cars ...Email you soon about my 45
Thank you, ever so much indeed, I look forward to hearing from you via e-mail!
he can't drive.
How do I know that you can?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Excellent, very good!
I owned a 1955 90 back in the 70s and I have to say I never had any troubles at all with the gear change. I might add that the engine had so much torque that I could turn into a road in fourth at 10 MPH and still move off without any hunting or shaking at all. I could travel on the freeways at 70 MPH without any dramas at all even without overdrive. I absolutely loved that car but at just 18 or 19 I was always looking for the next car to buy so I traded it in on something much less desirable. I wish I had kept the old girl. I had only two scary moments during my ownership. Once when coming to a stop at an intersection where the road had gravel on the side I applied the brakes and the steering wheel spun completely out of my hands as the left wheel was on the gravel and the right was on the tar. The other was when I had the car in freewheel (controlled by a large knob on the bottom of the dash where the badge is on the one you showed) and I started a long and steep piece of road and realised that after a couple of strong applications of braking I had serious brake fade (drum brakes on the front of that model year). Being in free wheel I had zero engine braking so it was a scary ride down the mountain road. No wonder they dropped the free wheel design in 1956. But she was a totally reliable daily driver that never let me down. If I was to have one today from that period I would definitely convert it to a later disc brake front end because the drums could let you down if your concentration was not on the money at an important moment. I would HIGHLY recommend the P4 to anyone looking to get an entry level classic car. Nice video mate. Just get your manual gear changes right. :)
To be fair, I don't normally drive cars with no power steering, no synchromesh on first gear, and with first where third normally is and reverse where first normally is, so I don't think I did that badly. It is quite difficult driving cars like this if you aren't used to it. If you are someone like Alex, though, who drives this all the time, then it's not really much of a problem.
Glad I didn't have to deal with a freewheel, all round drum brakes and other complications which some of the earlier models had, it was hard enough dealing with this as it was, although I am exceptionally glad that I was able to have a go in it, and these are amazing cars if you can live with the fact that they are nothing like a modern car to drive. For a lot of people, I think that is the point, and Alex has proven that you can still drive one of these every day over sixty years after it was made if you want to, and I do understand why someone would want to do that. Just had a go in one of her other cars today...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Mate, here in Australia we say: "I was just jerking your chain" with regards to your manual gear change skills. No insult was intended. It's just our sense of humour here in Oz. Oh and as for the steering wheel turning, I wouldn't suggest the push pull method. The steering is far too heavy, especially at parking speeds. Just turn it like you would a truck and she'll be apples, just heavy apples. :) I used the right hand on the outside of the wheel rim and the left hand under the rim. But in any case, I thought your video was really clear about the advantages and disadvantages of the car.