The Rover P6 series (named as the 2000, 2200, or 3500, depending on engine displacement) is a saloon car produced by Rover and subsequently British Leyland from 1963 to 1977 in Solihull, West Midlands, England.
The P6 was announced in October 1963, just before the Earls Court Motor Show. The vehicle was marketed first as the Rover 2000 and was a complete "clean sheet" design intended to appeal to a larger number of buyers than earlier models such as the P4 and P5 it replaced. Sculptor Flaminio Bertoni's Citroën DS body inspired David Bache. With a nod to the new Kamm tail, the finished Rover appearance incorporated a necessarily enlarged boot filled otherwise by Rover's de Dion rear suspension.
The first P6 used a 2.0 L (1,978 cc or 120.7 cu in) engine designed specifically for the P6. Output was in the order of 104 bhp (78 kW). In 1968, Rover saw Buick's compact 3.5 L (3528 cc/215 in³) V8 as a way to differentiate the P6 from its chief rival, the Triumph 2000. The 3500 was introduced in April 1968, became an instant hit, and continued to be offered until 1977. The Rover 3500 auto tested by Motor magazine in the issue published on 20 April 1968, achieved a maximum speed of 117 mph (mean), 0–60 mph in 9.5secs, with a standing quarter-mile in 17.6secs.
The Series II, or Mark II as it was actually named by Rover, was launched in 1970. All variants had new exterior fixtures such as a plastic front air intake (to replace the alloy version), new bonnet pressings and new rear lights. The interior of the 3500 and 2000TC versions was updated with new instrumentation with circular gauges and rotary switches.
The final years of the Rover P6 coincided with production problems at British Leyland.(wikipedia)
The P6 was announced in October 1963, just before the Earls Court Motor Show. The vehicle was marketed first as the Rover 2000 and was a complete "clean sheet" design intended to appeal to a larger number of buyers than earlier models such as the P4 and P5 it replaced. Sculptor Flaminio Bertoni's Citroën DS body inspired David Bache. With a nod to the new Kamm tail, the finished Rover appearance incorporated a necessarily enlarged boot filled otherwise by Rover's de Dion rear suspension.
The first P6 used a 2.0 L (1,978 cc or 120.7 cu in) engine designed specifically for the P6. Output was in the order of 104 bhp (78 kW). In 1968, Rover saw Buick's compact 3.5 L (3528 cc/215 in³) V8 as a way to differentiate the P6 from its chief rival, the Triumph 2000. The 3500 was introduced in April 1968, became an instant hit, and continued to be offered until 1977. The Rover 3500 auto tested by Motor magazine in the issue published on 20 April 1968, achieved a maximum speed of 117 mph (mean), 0–60 mph in 9.5secs, with a standing quarter-mile in 17.6secs.
The Series II, or Mark II as it was actually named by Rover, was launched in 1970. All variants had new exterior fixtures such as a plastic front air intake (to replace the alloy version), new bonnet pressings and new rear lights. The interior of the 3500 and 2000TC versions was updated with new instrumentation with circular gauges and rotary switches.
The final years of the Rover P6 coincided with production problems at British Leyland.(wikipedia)
The last Rover P6 off the production line, registered VVC 700S,
was built on March 19, 1977.
was built on March 19, 1977.
(Photos from classiccarsforsale.co.uk & wikipedia)
