Molten-metal Classic Cars: March 2013

Monday, March 25, 2013

Rover Looks to Move Over at Auction

A unique piece of motoring history is going under the Charterhouse hammer in their auction of classic & vintage cars on Sunday 21st April.

“Over the years I have had the pleasure of seeing, driving and selling some of the world’s most exotic cars. However, this Rover is so rare that although I was aware of its existence through magazines, I never thought I would have the opportunity to see it, let alone sell it.” Commented MatthewWhitney. “The owner, who lives near Bath, had been to several of our auctions, and took advantage of the free home visit service we offer our clients looking to auction their classic cars and motorcycles.”

Rover first launched the P5 in 1958 and was only available as a saloon. With the arrival of the MK II, Rover also looked into the possibility of extending the range to include a drop head coupe and in 1963 instructed Chapron, Pininfarina and Panelcraft each to produce such a car. Each of these specialist coachbuilders produced a single vehicle for Rover, and it is the car produced by Panelcraft which Charterhouse has been instructed to auction. Despite Rover commissioning this as a style exercise, the reality was that making such cars doubled its price and it was never seen as viable.
The Rover P5 series was a perennial favourite with Prime Ministers, government official and it was even good enough for H M The Queen to own one.
This unique Rover has had a well documented life, having been featured in numerous specialist publications including Autocar 1964, Pratical Classics 1997, Australian Classic Car 2008, and Classic & Sportscar 2013. It is also featured in The Complete Story Rover P5 & P5B, commonly referred to as the bible for P5’s. As well as having been featured in these magazines, for some of its life, it resided in Australia, and there was an outcry from Rover enthusiasts when it travelled half way around the world. Now back in England, it is looking for a new owner and a new garage.
Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for this important classic & vintage car and motorcycle auction. To arrange a free home visit to have your classic car or motorcycle valued, please contact Matthew Whitney, Associate Partner at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset 01935 812277 or via email on info@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk
They are also accepting entries for their next auction of pictures, books and antiques also for their April auction.

The unique 1963 Rover P5 drop head coupe being sold by Charterhouse in their classic car auction on Sunday 21st April £40,000-50,000
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For further information regarding this article, please contact Richard Bromell, Partner