IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Rover P5B
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Today's video is on the Rover P5B! The Queen has two, so there must be something in it! Watch for more info on the V8 powered, Rover P5B.
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It’s sometimes called the Poor Man’s Rolls Royce, but as you’ll see on this test, it’s not the poor man’s anything. This car in many ways has aged better than a Rolls, the quality is comparable and the ride is just as charming.
Over 20,000 were sold in less than a decade and for a car that was far from the cheapest on the market, that’s pretty good going!
Kicking off with engine chatter, The P5 had packed what at the time appeared to be plenty of power with the six cylinder engine, but the P5B went a leap further with the introduction to the car of the Buick-supplied Rover V8 engine.
The reason Rover decided to go for Buick engine and not go to the chalkboard and design their own was down to cost: the money just wasn’t there to design something new and the Buick unit was well known and tried and tested; so essentially there wasn’t a gamble putting it into the new P5B giving it 160hp.
The car did zero to 60 in around 12 and a half seconds and the top speed was 110mph. This might seem positively lethargic in today’s modern world, but at the time it was respectable and put it ahead of many other cars. The MK3 3 litre auto of old had peaked at 104mph and took 17 seconds to reach 60, which meant buyers saw a real uptick in performance.
Performance wise within the range, the car was almost bang on with the 2000TC, which at the time was Rover’s fastest car on sale.
It wasn’t only the performance which improved, the MPG saw a slight improvement with an increase in around 3 to 4 miles per gallon. Hardly amazing, but for Rover, it showed improvement.
The engine was paired with the three speed auto with torque converter and brakes were discs all round with a servo to front.
We look at these cars today and they’re majestic and head turners, but at the time the production volumes were never intended to be massive. Although sales peaked very quickly, the early days were good, with 85 cars a week planned and production volume doubling to meet demand.
By the end of production, the average weekly number produced was around 50; hardly much to shout about.
Despite this, the P5B was never intended to set the world alight, Rover just wanted to keep the target audience warm whilst they came up with something new.
If you’re watching from abroad and this isn’t a Rover you’re familiar with, it might be because it never reached you! America for example never got these cars because the American Rover division felt the focus should be on the P6.
However if you’re watching in the Netherlands, this might be a familiar car due to the fact it was the most popular European export destination.
This is a brief overview, but I used a book for research called Rover P5 and P5B by James Taylor, which I’d heartily recommend if you’re wanting to buy one of these cars or learn more.
One of the most beautifully styled cars ever. I’d rather own a P5B than a classic Aston, Ferrari or Roller! Great video, throughly enjoyed watching it.
Thanks David!
Agreed. There were one or two very sleek Rolls Royce models but this P5 is a great looking car.
@@idriveaclassic😢
My late father had a P5 coupe
Beautiful motor
Built like a tank
He also ran a haulage company
When one of his fully freighted artics
Broke down his P5 coupe pulled back to our yard although only a mile away. It was up hill most of the way
It never showed any struggle
What a car..
My favourite Rover,especially the coupe version.
YESSSSS!
Now you drove a real CLASSIC , not just an old car .
One of Brittain's best cars ever , unforgetable!
A great car and much better build quality and easier to work on than the P6.
The P5 and P5B were sold in Canada, coldwarmotors is currently restoring one from the ground up
Currently watching that Coldwar Motors videos along with the Plymouth Furry.
Nov 6 2022 - It's back on its wheels! Front subframe and rear axle are installed.
One of your best videos for quite a long time. The camera position inside the car was just right and really showed off the stately proportions and lines of the dashboard layout. When the camera moved to the exhaust my cat who was stretched out enjoying a nice nap shot up in alarm in reaction to the burble of that 'intimidating' V8! It sounded awesome. Massively enjoyable video Steph, thanks for doing such a great job with it. Your enthusiasm for the car was so endearing actually.
Beautiful car with an excellent engine. Someone was living the life back in the day.
I'll never forget one of my Dad's friends back in the 70s describing the Rover P5B as looking a bit like an English gentleman's butler wearing a dinner jacket and running shoes! Great cars. But in fairness the mid 1950s styling was very dated by the 1970s. I personally preferred the coupe.
I owned one of these ,same colour too, enjoyed it every time I got in with that heady aroma of wood and leather, nice video thanks for helping rekindle those old memories.
I lived in England for 14 years and owned a P5B a P5B coupe and a P6B over the years i spent there and actually brought the P5B coupe back to Canada in 2014
My brother had one in the 70s. Admiralty Blue with a cream leather interior. absolutely beautiful car.
So nice a car ! Beautifully styled and built. So sad Rover passed away 😩😓
They’d only make rubbish SUVs now. I’m glad we left on a decentish note x
My dad had one of these in two tone grey. It was the first car I ever went in as he brought me and my mum home from the hospital in it.
One of my favourites cars ever. No style like that in modern cars.
Thankyou so much Steph. I think it is fantastic seeing a young lady behind the wheel of this beautiful, elegant car. It says classic style and doesn't need to be anything but what it is, a Sedan of great dignity and charm. Elegance never dates , so it doesnt need to be anything else but the ' Elegant Class ' it is. I enjoy your 'naturalness' and freindliness. I think the owner was great to make his car available for us all via you. I enjoyed his conversation as to how he missed his first Rover, but it is such a great thing he got another , even the same colour. He obviously deserves it. I have always owned early British cars as they have a wonderful dignity mixed with charm about them. It is a beautiful vehicle and I am glad you both appreciate it. Fantastic job Steph. Beautiful cars dont have to be perfect in their condition. They have a right to show some of their years and wear and it can even add to the attractiveness.Cheers from John (Australia)
Welcome back Steph - lovely to see you again! The P5b has to be one of the most over engineered and beautifully well built cars of all time - I’m amazed that Rover made any profits on them! But, they are gorgeous cars!
Welcome back Steph, always enjoy your vids and this is a great review of a gorgeous car. The P5b is my fantasy classic car - maybe one day......
Deffo. Aim for it x
Such an elegant car, sounds really quiet and hardly a squeak to be heard.must be so well built.
This car really moves... My dad had 2 of them when I was growing up in. They were his pride and joy... beautiful cars. Love your content!!!
First time viewer from America. Of course I instantly had to subscribe. I love these old British cars. It's a shame we never got them over here. They're just wonderful
back in the day i worked on these vehicles, always remember the customers 8 track blasting out Frank Sinatra wow super top of the range. I drove these regularly, they were a dream machine, can still smell that leather.. what a vehicle
These are such a beautiful car.. Timeless classic, I'd have one of these over any modern car of today
I ran a 1970 P5B saloon in Silver Birch as my everyday car in the 1980/90’s here in Australia. Lovely cars. I also had a P4 100 that I bought a little after the P5B.
Steph’s back, yeah, it’s a wonderful old car for sure, not my thing, but it’s wonderful to see it kept in such fine form.
Great to see some more content from you Steph. As much as I love the P5, and I do, I have a real soft spot for the P4. If I were to go old school Rover, it would have to be a P4.
Yes, there is something extra special when you get into a nice P4, no other car like it. 1957 105S was my favourite.
Steph I'm so pleased to see the.P5B on the channel.
I can think of no other car more majestic as a figurehead of Britain.
I was looking at these about 15 years ago when a runner with scabby rear doors were still about £5k. Sadly I wouldn't likely get one for anything like that now.
These were the choice of people with power and I'd take one over any prestige car of any period.
The P6 represented Rovers forward thinking, engineering led ethos with DeDion suspension and an engine bay built for a gas turbine, the SD1 was the stunning futuristic car built with no money under BL but the P5 was the one with real class.
A friend who was involved in my advanced driver training many years ago drove all of the above throughout his career.
Oh and by the way Steph that tea shelf also contains the tool kit for these cars.
Rover really did think of everything.
Possibly the best car Rover ever made. Very good video Steph, so glad you got to ejoy one of these great cars. What's happening to your own cars? It would be great to have an update please.
Good shout. Give me two weeks and I’ll give you guys an update x
Nah. :) The SD1 in 3.5 litre form. Get a New Zealand assembled one (as opposed to the crappily assembled UK ones) and you'll see what I mean: best Rover ever.
Always a pleasure to see a new video from IDAC. Thanks for sharing Steph. Welcome back. 👍
I believe the Chrysler 300c is a parallel to this car , I had rovers here in Oz , and the p5b is still a holy grail car , both designers of these cars were related I'm told .
yes the 300c is on the lines with the small windows and deep body style and that car still looks good along witha 3.5 rover.
I read that the P5 inspired the Chrysler. M.
There’s a surprising number of them still left in New Zealand. I think the toolkit is contained within the pull out tea shelf, Steph.
Oh really?! Useful to know xx
It is indeed
And, the NZ built ones were put together properly, unlike most of the UK ones. Looking at the waka kotahi website, it seems there are ~200 still registered in NZ. Maybe more given the record keeping is more than slightly hit & miss
Good to see you back what a great car the Rover 5B is great review also a true luxury car it has wood and leather equals luxury
I saw the 1972 P5B on The Indian Doctor, and am really glad to see this review! We never had them in the states, and I was SO curious. THANKS!
One of my first memories is sitting on the centre arm rest and being driven around by my Grandfather who had a 3.0 model in the 60s. He used it to tow a Cheltenham caravan, which like the car were top of the range. I know my dad wasn't used to cars which drank fuel quicker than the Queen Mary and he ran out of fuel. The one gallon refill didn't get close to starting the car.
I have ridden in one in the 70s. Very smooth and quiet. 20mpg is not so bad, I had a Humber Pullman limousine that only did 8mpg
Great video as always ! I love these old Rovers. when I was 13 years old, I drove one of these round my best friends dads factory yard.
We pinched the keys while he was out shopping.😊He never did find out !. Really enjoy your videos Steph. Best wises from Bournemouth.
My uncle had the P5B coupe in the late 60’s
Beautiful stylish car - his was a dark blue which made the chrome work on the front stand out.
I have owned 2 of these. The second one was a very late 73 and was my daily driver for about 4 years until I got a company car. The blanking plate was used for a 2nd key on government owned cars, mine had one. You missed out that there is a full toolkit in the pull out coffee table.
Loved the P5b saloon & coupe!
It was not mention that during the 1960's the queen owned a number of the earlier versions of the P5, the 3 Litre, a very fine car too, probably even more refined if slower.
Refined with a smashing v8 - lovely stuff !!
Oh, that relay box for all the light toggles is just wonderful. Much smaller engine bay than it looks like it could be! I’ve always had a soft spot for wafty saloons, even when I was tiny and that wasn’t Cool!
Amazing car. Sad to see what rover once was and how it ended up... Congrats on your classic
They don't do cars like this anymore
The tea tray in the centre console also houses a tool kit underneath the wooden top
Thanks for this upload. I love the P5B; it's got that imposing and yet stylish look. ❤
So true!
Beautiful Steph. One of my favourite colours in these too, Zircon Blue. 😍
Glad to see you back Steph, as for the P5B it's just a cool car it's the cost of fuel that's the killer of big 3.5s now.
The Rover P5B is an absolute class car with a beautiful presence and dignity. Customers that recognised this type of quality were the ones that bought them. The Radiomobile 1070 radio is of the time when the car was new. I've owned them and have fitted many which were of excellent quality. The switches used on the dash panel were again known for their excellent quality and reliability. I believe they are still made by Lucas.
Went to Wembley in one of these with a family friend and his son to watch England back in 1978. I was 9 and it had a lasting impression. What luxury as we wafted along the M3 at 80+, and oh the deep thrum of that V8. I didn’t know what a V8 was up until then.
I remember looking at that 3.5 badge on the back in awe.
England beat Wales 1-0 too.
The clock on the P5 3-litre was mounted centrally in a pod on the padded facia top. I imagine they moved it from there due to crash-safety concerns (during the 3-ltre Mk.3 run). So it was once in a better place.
I had a 1970 in zircon blue exactly like this one in 1995 when i was 21. It nearly bankrupted me filling it up with 4 star costing 59.9ppl and doing about 20mpg
My mother refused to let me park it on tne drive, my girlfriends father nicknamed it Sherman (as in the tank,)
Great cars. Love them.
**** I seem to think that mine had two horns fitted, a high tone and a low tone which gave a much more appropriate sound. Could be the low one not working?
Great clip of a truly beautiful machine. If I'm not wrong, the location of the clock was change to the left corner wood fillet for safety, on my old 1960 P5 Mk1 it was located in the padded roll above the radio closer to the driver but not good if you sconned yourself on it if you were unfortunate enough to have a prang!
Greetings from Hong Kong. Many thanks Steph. always look forward to your reviews! cool car.
Also, the front, door-mounted arm rests are height adjustable. I wish they were on my current W108 Mercedes.
Thank you Steph for the auto tour with a P5B! It is a very nice car, with a beautiful interior, good instrumentation, a sweet sounding horn, and a good strong Buick engine! For a once in a blue moon 🔵 fun drive, I'd keep the engine too.
A cigar lighter and a retractable tea shelf....Fab! They had the right priorities at that time 🙂.
Yay! Glad to see Steph back and with another amazing classic, one that is very stylish and so quiet! Thanks for taking us all along for another enjoyable drive!
Nice profile, Steph! I was wondering how you were doing, and you look very well indeed, and see that you now work in the industry in a professional capacity as a writer! Well done! I am so happy to see your progress, and of course the eclectic choice of cars!
Thank you! I’m doing all sorts nowadays x
Always enjoy your videos Steph keep up the great work!
Thank you! X
I do love a P5b. That Buick V8 is a marvellous engine; and if it's fed by a Carter 2 barrel carburettor as originally intended, it will return 35mpg on a motorway with ease. (I know this because I've fitted many of these to Rovers). Whoever decided to fit the cumbersome SU set-up really got it wrong!
I'm due to go to see a P5b for sale later today; if it's worth buying, the first job will be to fit the right carburettor. Great review of a fabulous car. Thank you Steph.
I agree this would be a stylish ride to own. I would love it too. Great car for this channel.
Great video about a fabulous car, Steff. I've always loved these cars. Really love the 3.5 litre V8. At 215 cubic inches, is was decidedly on the small side. Back when the engine was being developed, GM divisions worked as independent marques and quite often found their biggest competitors were other GM divisions. There were 2 different, albeit related, 215 engines; one by Buick, in the new compact Special, one by Oldsmobile in the F-85. Both along with the Pontiac Tempest were considered "Senior Compacts". GM sold the tooling to Rover who did some reengineering. Being an alloy engine, it had the distinct advantage of being very light with a good amount of torque fairly low in the revs. Buick engines were usually designed and tuned for maximum torque rather than horsepower.
You were mentioning fuel consumption. There are a few ways it could be increased, and quite significantly. First, bin the single exhaust when it needs doing. Go to a custom made 2¼ inch pipe with H crossover, and low restriction mufflers. Second is to swap out the intake and side draught carburetors. Edelbrock will supply a Performer intake with matching 4bbl carb. Both of these will increase performance as well as decreasing the thirst. The last thing that will make a difference is to get the 3 speed auto box out and replace it with a good 700R4 4 speed overdrive unit. Doing all those things, and making sure the timing and everything is spot on, an I bet the gas mileage increases by between 80 and 100%. Yes, 35 miles to the English gallon is possible while upping horsepower by a solid 30 or so.
A great video. Totally agree about how nice the P5B is to drive - very different to modern cars, but that's why classics are so interesting. Thanks.
Cant see one of these without imagining Roger Moore going Grand Theft Auto in the Man Who Haunted Himself.His best film.
It's a car with great character. Don't compare it to anything. It's got style and luxury, with just that right balance of sport/cruiser balance. We had the 3litre version and it was a lumbering great tank. But it was transformed after they put the V8 in... lovely car. And oh so British...
Where are you driving Steph? There have been no houses to your left for miles ! Love the Rover P5B, its gorgeous, and a V8 ! Love it !
Great video Steph. This car is right at the top of my wish list. It was 48 years ago I was first aquatinted with a P5B in this exact same colour, when as a 13 year old Saturday boy one of my jobs was to wash the managers car, his one had the deep brown interior. From that day on I was hooked. I thought I recognised the location when the video started, I am also a Martin and live in Kent, the same as the owner. Will keep an eye out at future car meets.
What a beautiful car the P5 is, such a quality motorcar❤️💕 thanks for yet another excellent video Steph.
Great video Steph. My Dad bought his back in 1974 (secondhand) and I still have it on the road. The Rover two tone horn actually makes a lovely sound very much in keeping with the car so I guess your review car has had it changed. I do have a recording of it somewhere and of the engine starting as they are so sonorous.
I had one in 1971. Lovely car but an old man’s car. I was 26 at the time. Better for me now that I am 78. A very comfortable car but very thirsty, 21 mpg.
I have driven many of these and I do love them but my only gripe with them as a luxury car is that they never had electric windows. Great video.
Great video. I had a burgundy 1959 3litre manual saloon. Most comfortable car I ever owned. Lovely. That horn isn't the right one, youre right, the horn on mine was a rich, low tone. Mine had a starting handle too. Was brilliant in the winter. You're right about the steering. Only need one finger on the wheel.
LOVE, LOVE, how you ALWAYS are dressed to match the colours of the car you are driving. lol, absolutely beautiful.
I'm going to go with you on that Steph. I think that WAS a tea tray, not a tea shelf!
we had the 3 litre - loved the tactile feel of the dash flick switches and micro face vents :)
I like both the p5 and P6 they represent two eras of english style thanks Steph
Great film Steph - I have never had a P5B but have always liked them - seems like a pretty practical classic - a bit thirsty but great for more modest runs. Sadly a lot of these met their end with banger racing back in the day. Keep up the good work.
Very nice Rover! 1970s VW bus came by you at 9:18 ✌💖☮
Thank you for showing this. Wonderful. The P5B had such great styling. It somehow mixed gentleman's club with a certain "don't mess with me look" I dream of owning one, but find the prospect a little daunting. Maybe one day!
Great review of a beautiful car, many thanks.
Great review, Steph! I guess the clock is there to fill a spot that's otherwise blank and anyway, a clock in front of the driver becomes harder to see for the passengers! Embedded in the speaker grille may have been an interesting alternative location.
I love the P5B and the gorgeous Buick V8 rumble. I think the Politicians had them to advertise Britain but also they could make a quick getaway in an emergency. I agree with you Steph the P5 range as a whole was more stylish than the P6 although I do love that car too. Thanks for sharing this review Steph and take care.
Great to see you back Steph and what a beautiful looking car the P5B is and we all love the sound of a Rover V8.
Hope you are doing ok and the new job is going well?
Cracking video Steph, I missed you!
One of my all time favourite motors this. I'd want one in that dark blue/purple they did. Only car pips it for me is a Jag, Biased because a family member was a senior at browns Lane and we had 2 at one point. But that engine.... sublime!
Lovely car Steph great old thinks to smoke about in ,good to see you back.
Thank you lovely x
Great review again, Steph! I think you have great taste in cars. My sister has one that I am fixing up for her to cruise around in. I think they are just terrific... A real "proper" car, as we say! If you ever find yourself in the colonies, please stop in and drive some of our old machines. All the best from Canada!
Great video, Great to see you back Steph miss the Sunday update on your channel.
Great car. never seen one in person. Love your videos. You review cars in such a unique way.. Keep up the good work!
Nice to see you back Steph, and looking well.
A few memories there for me. Back in the late '60s when I was about 19 I had a holiday job driving for a friend of my dad's as he 'was on medication' that prevented him driving (in retrospect I think he was an alcoholic).
His car was a P5B in that Zircon blue, and that was what I drove. Along with his father's Daimler limo and his MD's Corsair V4.
Could you imagine a 19 year old being allowed to do that today?
Great video and car, laughed at the tea recepticle pop-up correction :)
well done steph such a brilliant review the p5 is one of my favourite cars and martin keeps that one so nicely
my uncle worked at rover solihull in the paint shop from the 70s to 90s he worked on the very last p5 but then p6 sd1 and land rover amongst others so a family connection there one day i wish i could own one! keep up the great work
Hate to hear about someone selling their beloved car. But very glad to see that he found another one. I've had a few cars in the past that I wish I could get back. None this beautiful. But they were special to me. And that's really all that matters.
Love your stuff Steph.. additionally youre very easy on my eyes love. Your newest fan, the enamoured American.
Great Video Steph, where have you been hiding? I simply love the P5B.
Finishing one job and moving back into TH-cam. It’s been a wild ride!
@@idriveaclassic Hope it all settled now
absolutely love these. Old rovers from a bygone age. check out the film "untill the end of the world" sci-fi film with old rover the star of the show. Great film superb motor
Was thinking this morning, I hope Steph's at the Motorist VW show next weekend and she's ok cos I've not seen her in a while and BOOM! a video lol. I love the P5's, saloon and coupe', 3 litre or 3.5, doesn't matter to me, they look so majestic and comfortable to just glide along in.
Ahh I’ve left there now!
@@idriveaclassic Well, the main reason was knowing that you're well and healthy after your op and I can see that you are. I'm looking for another job too atm so it's all go lol
aw thanks!!! It’s been hard since surgery but I deffo have more good days than bad now! Xx
@@idriveaclassic Hats off to you Steph for going down that route because it's a far from easy thing to do, it's a whole change of lifestyle and you've to be commended. You'll get there though because you're a very determined and driven young woman.
I've always want to see a p series in person but as a Texan that's gonna be hard. Love the outfit 😍 btw!
Thank you!
Oh man what a sweet story! You have your car back!
I love Steph. I’m glad she has a new video. Looking good! Keep up the videos.