IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Rover P5B

[@davidwinthrop7077]

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.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks David!

[@GaryBox]

Agreed. There were one or two very sleek Rolls Royce models but this P5 is a great looking car.

[@anthonytradigo9395]

​@@idriveaclassic😢

[@TheTk1971]

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..

[@dennisrobinson7587]

My favourite Rover,especially the coupe version.

[@benbrown3541]

The P5 and P5B were sold in Canada, coldwarmotors is currently restoring one from the ground up

[@nk53nxg]

Currently watching that Coldwar Motors videos along with the Plymouth Furry.

[@boggy7665]

Nov 6 2022 - It's back on its wheels! Front subframe and rear axle are installed.

[@chriskappert1365]

YESSSSS! Now you drove a real CLASSIC , not just an old car . One of Brittain's best cars ever , unforgetable!

[@trevordeane3940]

A great car and much better build quality and easier to work on than the P6.

[@johnmiller4973]

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

[@ColinBarrett001]

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.

[@mtamin1]

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.

[@RobinTheMini]

One of my favourites cars ever. No style like that in modern cars.

[@mikewysko2268]

Beautiful car with an excellent engine. Someone was living the life back in the day.

[@huguesgillet1967]

So nice a car ! Beautifully styled and built. So sad Rover passed away 😩😓

[@idriveaclassic]

They’d only make rubbish SUVs now. I’m glad we left on a decentish note x

[@caw25sha]

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.

[@garycorbin2789]

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 .

[@philldownes8685]

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.

[@rovercoupe7104]

I read that the P5 inspired the Chrysler. M.

[@Rednerb64]

My brother had one in the 70s. Admiralty Blue with a cream leather interior. absolutely beautiful car.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

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!

[@tommaroon531]

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......

[@idriveaclassic]

Deffo. Aim for it x

[@paulscountrygarage9180]

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.

[@mrbigarms]

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.

[@petanders1968]

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.

[@Fyodor48]

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

[@johndean958]

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)

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

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

[@Richard-Bullock]

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.

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

Yes, there is something extra special when you get into a nice P4, no other car like it. 1957 105S was my favourite.

[@elonmask50]

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.

[@grayfool]

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.

[@idriveaclassic]

Good shout. Give me two weeks and I’ll give you guys an update x

[@iatsd]

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.

[@snich63]

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.

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh really?! Useful to know xx

[@3500P5]

It is indeed

[@iatsd]

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

[@adeh503]

These are such a beautiful car.. Timeless classic, I'd have one of these over any modern car of today

[@howardsamuels9815]

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!!!

[@allanmollison6971]

Always a pleasure to see a new video from IDAC. Thanks for sharing Steph. Welcome back. 👍

[@rowejon]

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

[@robertsmith1553]

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.

[@owenoneill5955]

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.

[@fintytin5771]

Refined with a smashing v8 - lovely stuff !!

[@DaveP668]

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.

[@brunster64]

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.

[@kaitlyn__L]

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!

[@markonmotoring]

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.

[@sehismith]

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!

[@tinkertime7165]

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.

[@dmmcharrie2698]

Loved the P5b saloon & coupe!

[@henriquemagalhaes3062]

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

[@MisterTea74]

The tea tray in the centre console also houses a tool kit underneath the wooden top

[@lesklower7281]

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

[@MisterTea74]

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?

[@seanfinlay7393]

Such an elegant car, sounds really quiet and hardly a squeak to be heard.must be so well built.

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

Also, the front, door-mounted arm rests are height adjustable. I wish they were on my current W108 Mercedes.

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

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.

[@mr-wx3lv]

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...

[@levelcrossing150]

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.

[@spynles7947]

Who the hell would 'electrify' a classic? A lot of the charm is with the engine and mpg is accepted as part of ownership.

[@davegeraghty2187]

You're eliminating the most costly and least reliable part of a restoration and

[@spynles7947]

@@davegeraghty2187 Then it's no longer a classic, it's a characterless EV.

[@northernhorror8212]

Plenty of classics had terrible engines and gearboxes.

[@akie64]

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!

[@jrbs]

Thanks for this upload. I love the P5B; it's got that imposing and yet stylish look. ❤

[@idriveaclassic]

So true!

[@peterriggall8409]

Beautiful Steph. One of my favourite colours in these too, Zircon Blue. 😍

[@chuckkottke]

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.

[@DwainDwight]

Greetings from Hong Kong. Many thanks Steph. always look forward to your reviews! cool car.

[@peterallen2904]

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.

[@briforks7681]

Cant see one of these without imagining Roger Moore going Grand Theft Auto in the Man Who Haunted Himself.His best film.

[@conesuela1]

I'm going to go with you on that Steph. I think that WAS a tea tray, not a tea shelf!

[@andrewp9725]

Always enjoy your videos Steph keep up the great work!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! X

[@drwho534]

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!

[@manofthehour6856]

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!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! I’m doing all sorts nowadays x

[@roygardiner2229]

A cigar lighter and a retractable tea shelf....Fab! They had the right priorities at that time 🙂.

[@johngrubb1590]

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.

[@gzk6nk]

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?

[@davidmwood560]

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.

[@michaeltutty1540]

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.

[@RoverThreeandaHalfLitre]

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.

[@billybobblogs3627]

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

[@Mid-Century-Living]

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.

[@Martin_Coombs]

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.

[@steved3702]

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.

[@pauldavies6037]

I like both the p5 and P6 they represent two eras of english style thanks Steph

[@andygriffiths9916]

I agree this would be a stylish ride to own. I would love it too. Great car for this channel.

[@clivehaynes2183]

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.

[@steveedwards4495]

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.

[@danieleregoli812]

What a beautiful car the P5 is, such a quality motorcar❤️💕 thanks for yet another excellent video Steph.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Great review of a beautiful car, many thanks.

[@stephenricketts7764]

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.

[@neilbedford5082]

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.

[@timwingham8952]

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!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

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?

[@drd6416]

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!

[@philtaylor9038]

Great video, Great to see you back Steph miss the Sunday update on your channel.

[@phil3924]

Great car. never seen one in person. Love your videos. You review cars in such a unique way.. Keep up the good work!

[@colnuttall9035]

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 !

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

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.

[@johndrake2729]

Really liked Martin's story. You never forget your first love.

[@danielrussell446]

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

[@paulmeester5401]

Netherlands was the biggest export market? Never knew that and i live there... you still see them sometimes though... since i am 52 i remember the p6 and sd1 better they were indeed a common sight.

[@peterchapman8357]

lovely car so quiet and smooth, luxury interior, no wonder the Royals and ministers like them, the performance was good for the day

[@AlanReynoldsBucklandJunction]

Wow it's St Mary's in Kent (New Romney) My Uncle had a P5 3.0L and later the V8. I remember how luxurious they where. Pure British Excellence, Nothing Foreign could come anywhere close. :o) Thanks X

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Lovely car Steph great old thinks to smoke about in ,good to see you back.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you lovely x

[@collinhunter9792]

LOVE, LOVE, how you ALWAYS are dressed to match the colours of the car you are driving. lol, absolutely beautiful.

[@yarcoPenfold]

Grew up with these and jaguar xj,s in the 70s and 80s. My family wouldn't drive anything else. Bought them for only a few quid . Drove them till they killed them or Banger raced. Wish I had the incite to the values of these cars back then.

[@NGiggles]

I've always want to see a p series in person but as a Texan that's gonna be hard. Love the outfit 😍 btw!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@05Rudey]

My favourite Rover by far, after watching Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels about 15 years ago (Jason Flemyng drove a fantastic example of one in the film) It became a object of desire to this day that might be out of reach, like a Saville Row Suit or a Rolex Submariner.

[@michaelbeswick9637]

Nice to see you back Steph, and looking well.

[@johnwoodhouse1501]

Lovely old car. I agree that the James Taylor book on the P5 is excellent.

[@TheSoupdragon1968]

RPI engineering did a test on a P5b that had a 4speef auto conversion and an LPG conversion too very smart....