My 'new' Rover

[Dorchester2]

Here is my last purchase. I had her in mind since long and suddenly the opportunity... I couldn't resist for these are as rare as hens teeth. It was the only one to be sold at the moment in France and I'd to travel 600 mls to get it. Hence a long journey back made along 3 days not to stress the car.
Sold new in Exeter, Devon on the 17th of April 1968 to an isle of Wight inhabitant. Then gone from the mainland around 1989/1990 and owned by a British expat living in France until 2021. Then 2 successive sales in 2021 and 2022. And mine since the 27th of December last. I've even found the genuine British plate under the French one at the back and I'm now in touch with that last British owner thanks to his son.
The sound of the engine is music to my ears...
But there's a little work to get it perfectly right. I don't like any wrong in my Rovers. That's a pleasure and I'm delighted to say I'll be busy for some time...

It's the Holy Grail for me at least and as a double whammy I've found another unicorn at the same time to match with 'Charly'...

And it's not at all a burden to drive here on the 'wrong' side of the cabin. Rather a delicacy for Charlie is a true gem of British automotive industry.

[SD1too]

Arnaud, just to let you know that Google Drive is a pain because I can't see your photographs unless I create an account.

You're a subscribed member so can you upload them to the forum image gallery? Then we can all enjoy your new purchase.

Simon

[Matt_75]

Congratulations on your new car! I can see the photo of your lovely Rover watch but Google won't let me see the others. Being a 1968 car, I'm guessing it's either a P5 or P6? I'd love to own either!

[Dorchester2]

Sorry mates.

I'd forgotten how complicated it is here to put pictures within the text...
Yessss it's a P5b coupe built in Solihull in the beginning of 1968, a very rare beast in our countries nowadays.
And here is the genuine British plate, builder's id and even the paint sticker still under the bonnet.
Original paint, even with coachlines (but a few are missing, I'll give it to be completed).
A piece of history, the car of the late queen and several PM in the 60s, I love it!

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Dorchester2

I'd forgotten how complicated it is here to put pictures within the text...

It's certainly clumsy but not particularly complicated. Simply highlight and copy the "BB code IMG" from the desired picture in your image gallery then paste it into the text box of your message.

But your thumbnails are quite large and of good definition so thanks for those. I'm interested to see that Arden Green was a paint name in 1968 and revived thirty years later!

Simon

[Matt_75]

What a lovely car! It must be rare sight in France. The P5 is my favourite older (pre 90s) Rover, I'd love to own one eventually. I went to the British Motor Museum recently and they both the old ministerial P5 (used by several previous Prime ministers):


And the Queens:

[Rover66]

Very nice indeed and in such excellent condition.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bl52krz]

My company Secretary owned one in 1968 in blue. Used to admire it every day. I was driving one of the company lorries at the time. One day, my Forman came and asked me if I would take it and fill it up with petrol at a garage about 2 miles away.I had an Austin Westminster A90 at the time. Oh the difference. It was like sitting in a palace seat, and so smooth and quite. I envy you so much.

[Dorchester2]

Thank you David for your nice comment and testimony.
I'm so glad: even in France the car doesn't go unnoticed.
A few days ago two cops were watching the traffic : I saw them looking around in the mirror! And several people made appreciative comments at a petrol pump, in a restaurant and so on.
Nevertheless at the moment the car is at my mechanic's to be corrected of several niggles and gremlins.
And I'm using my time building the history of the car thanks to the last British owner I'm now in touch with. He told me he rebuilt the car from several crates containing lots of pieces!
I'm happy.

[Dorchester2]

I'm pleased to say that I'm now in touch with the last British owner, Mr. J.R.M.
He's unveiling some very interesting informations about the past of the car and mainly that he won the first prize in a Concours d'Elegance as stated below from a French daily paper.

'The Old Steering wheels enlivened the town centre
Sud-Ouest in 06/09/2019
In this last weekend of summer vacation, the old cars paraded in Jarnac as part of animations offered by the Old Jarnacais Steering wheels. From Saturday morning, the town centre was transformed into showroom with an exhibition of a hundred of vehicles which made happy passers-by. In afternoon, festivities concentrated on the place of Baloir with the Concours d'Elegance, an moment much appreciated by the public who came in numbers to discover cars of exception introduced by their owners.
For the cars after 1960, it was the Rover Coupé 3,5 l of 1968 of Jonathan Matthews which won the first prize...'

As you can see the P5B coupé, now mine, is behind.