Rover

Today we have something a little bit different to show you, a 1912 Rover 12hp Tourer.
This Rover is one of the few Edwardian cars that has only had four owners but it's full of interesting history. The first owner was a Dr Elliot in the Fleet area of Hampshire. By the 1930's Dr Elliot had become too old to drive and if the weather was good he engaged the owner of a local Rover Agency, Mr Wilfred Stevens, to drive him around his old practice area of Winchfield. Stevens and Sons has always serviced and maintained the car. At the outbreak of war in 1939 Dr Elliot instructed Stevens to melt the car down so it could be used in the manufacture of the legendary Spitfire aeroplane as he probably wouldn't be around after the war. Stevens stored the car at a large property close by called Clairmont. After the war the property was sold to developers who found the old Rover in a shed and contacted Stevens to have the car removed. Stevens was mortified that he had forgotten all about the car and Dr Elliot's wishes. By this time the engine was seized, the upholstery had been eaten by rodents and the original paintwork was destroyed.
In 1946 Wilf Stevens embarked on a program of works to restore the car, the colour was changed from 'Sparrow Egg' to 'Rover Green' which the car still wears. Things moved slowly when in 1962 the son, Ian Stevens, took over and reordered the remainder of the work that he carried out. The radiator was overhauled, the upholstery renewed, the magneto rebuilt and all other mechanical work finished. In August 1965 the car was transferred into Ian's name, he continued to maintain the car to a high standard and after many years of trying the previous owner was able to purchase the car in 2012.
The car is of an older restoration, but it is testimony to the restoration works carried out that the car still presents very well and now looks nicely mellowed. The car was used extensively on VCC, VSCC and many other events. One notable tour involved taking the car to France for a Commemoration of WW1 of which there are many article in the file. It retains much of its originality and has the original engine and bodywork.
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