In 1962, Rover showed the beautiful Rover P5 Coupé to the world. And that is undoubtedly one of the technical crown jewels from car history. What a privilege it is when you drive the ultimate version: the Rover P5B Coupé with the 3.528 cc V8 Buick engine, which Rover built under license.
And speaking of privilege: that is much greater if you are the owner of this incredibly beautiful piece of British heritage. Bart Spijker has been enjoying that privilege for almost two decades. A special and emotional story is attached to the purchase, which we will save for one of the following magazine editions of Auto Motor Klassiek. Promised. The Rover came to Bart for good reason, he has been an avid Britain fan for a lifetime, and that was reflected in the classic purchase of the Rover P5B Coupe from 1969. Arden Green, Right Hand Drive, a nice mileage, in a very nice condition, lots of beautiful chrome details, a tasteful interior and the design itself: the ingredients for a long-term relationship with the Rover were found to be cast in concrete.
Nice and slow pace
About twenty years after the purchase, we set off with the beautifully designed Rover P5B Coupé, through the enchanting landscape that is just a bit between Steenwijk, Steggerda and Noordwolde. The Rover P5B Coupé fits in that leafy setting, where the pace of life is at a pleasantly low level. We also drive the Rover P5B Coupé, while enjoying the space that the appropriate luxury interior offers. Beautiful materials, elegant ornaments, sober but beautiful meters in abundance, beautiful switches. Exclusivity in the form of a modest balance, that way you will never be distracted from the other dosed pomp that the Rover offers.
Beautifully thought out
From the fantastic leather armchairs in the front we can see it all. Thoughtful, that's what it is, witness the extendable shelves on the front and the back. Take it front table, which also serves as a tool spot. In the back? Put the champagne cold and bring two matching glasses or cups. And lay your arm on that immense support that stands out in the back seat. Also special: the clock in the left-hand corner, surrounded by woodwork that runs through the entire interior and which strikingly combines with the light beige floor covering and further decoration in that shade.
Sublime running V8
Another aspect is that beautifully running power source in the large Rover at the front, that engine with American genes. In the V8 area, the Yanks had a name to uphold, and that rages on in the English bodywork. And in the name. Because the B in the type designation stands for Buick. Very nice: after every stop, the power source switches on immediately after a turn of the ignition key. Bart Spijker has never experienced reluctance in that area, motorically it is the Bank of Switzerland. Besides the historical reliability, the running culture of this V8 is also formidable. That interplay of beautiful cultivated power is guided in beaten paths by the Borg Warner automatic, which does it with three steps but makes a valuable addition to the already outstanding engine character completely shock-free. This shows properties that enhance comfort and, above all, appeal to pure relaxation. You never feel the need to fully exploit the engine's potential, that is also inherent to the car in which the V8 is placed.
Enough power, gas loose
When the accelerator pedal goes a little further down you feel the potential, reflected in a power of 160 PK and a maximum torque of 306 Nm at 3.000 revolutions per minute. You feel the development of force, far before the mentioned maximums have been reached. We let the gas pedal come up again, because the nature of the Rover does not demand performance. He thrives on calm driving, and that is not only because of that blissful smooth spring comfort. The pleasantly powered and indirect steering also reinforces the feeling that this car appreciates dignity. No testosterone tendencies, this engaging classic is above the parties, just like a Mercedes-Benz W109 that was so worthy. And that image gains momentum in the P5B Coupé thanks to the driver's position on the right. A place that also gets used quickly in this beautiful car, certainly because of the excellent marking points in the front, which are also reinforced in the dark by two little red lights on the city lights, above the fenders.
Outside category
The Rover P5B Coupé not only releases us, but also bystanders. He is associated with nobility, respectfully some sixties and seventies say that their boss used to have such a car. With driver, because even in the back, the passenger director or non-cared for unconcerned luxury. We already mentioned the table and the armrest, but the heating and operation of the rear also make it comfortable. On this summer's day we don't feel the need to try it out, today we drive ourselves and we feel what Upper Class from totally different times means. That's not just a privilege, it's not just a privilege. No, it's also an honor. An honor from the outside category.
With a lot of thanks to Bart Spijker
Beautiful model. I did not know that a four-door car could also go through life as a coupe. So you learn something again!
Timeless, just like the xj from Jaguar!
We said goodbye to our castle on wheels with a bleeding heart. Burnt gray over silver birch, black leather (conoly?) And Wilson's carpeting. Pleasantly toured for almost 9 years and could neatly get rid of it, restoration of the here and there double sheet metal would cost a lot of money… .. Great engine, worn rocker arm shafts replaced and silent 100 mph! We were already wondering what the towbar was used for…. Still the most stylish 4-door coupé in the world