1970 Rover P5B Coupe Classic Endurance Rally Car

Rally Preparation Services is pleased to offer this purposeful Rover P5B Coupe classic long distance rally car

The Rover P5 first arrived in 1958 equipped with Rover’s 3 litre IOE engine which featured an overhead inlet, side exhaust valve arrangement which allowed for a narrow bore. Although far from ideal it took advantage of a tax horsepower calculation based solely on the bore of the engine. This calculation was abandoned in 1947 but Rover soldiered on with various upgrades with the IOE engine until a better power unit could be found.

Legend has it that J Bruce McWilliams from Rover first saw a marine derivative of the 3.5 litre Buick V8 in a boat yard and seeing the potential immediately set about persuading G.M. to part with the design. Modern, lightweight and powerful the new Rover 3.5 litre V8 (as it became) transformed the dowdy P5 into the P5B (B for Buick). An absolute sales success for Rover it is perhaps most famous for its role as preferred transport for senior UK Government ministers including three Prime Ministers. Indeed at the end of production in 1973 a final order was placed by HM Government to keep them in Rover P5Bs until the late 1970s.

This P5B arrived with RPS in 2017 to be prepared for long distance classic rallying, specifically the Peking to Paris motor challenge. The original transmission had already been replaced with a Rover 77mm 5 speed unit so with a re-built V8, bespoke exhaust manifolds, a new axle, an uprated prop shaft and upgraded half shafts the drive line was complete. In the engine bay to cope with the rigours of rallying, a competition radiator was installed along with a Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition, twin coils and after seam welding the front subframe, a hefty sump guard was fitted. Upgraded suspension including a re-work of the rear springs and RPS preferred Bilstein dampers front and rear are all fitted. Inside the cabin, Recaro seats and TRS full harness belts dominate. A conventional handbrake, a brake limiting valve, RPS wiring loom, VDO instrumentation are all installed while in the back sits a massive endurance capacity fuel tank.

Once complete, the current owners entered their first rally, the 2017 Pan-America, and finished in first place. Now, due to a change in plans, this fine British motor car is available for sale and ready to compete on any of the great classic rallies.

The car is currently residing at RPS’ sister company – the SASCo storage facility and available for inspection.

All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.

All enquiries please contact us on mail@rpsrally.com or telephone 01993 358009

Specifications:

3.5 Rover V8

Rover 77mm gear box

Uprated rear axle

Bilstein dampers front and rear

Upgraded Parabolic rear leaf springs

Recaro rally seats

TRS 4 point harnesses

RPS Endurance fuel tank

RPS wiring loom
Monit trip meter