The Rover P5 series (commonly called 3-Litre and 3½ Litre for the engine displacement) was a group of large (in European terms) saloon and coupe automobiles produced from 1958 through 1973. Sometimes called a "middle-class Rolls-Royce", the P5 was extremely popular with United Kingdom government officials. Even the Queen is said to have favored driving her P5.
[] Rover Mark I
The P5 appeared in 1958. Powered by a 3.0 L (2995 cc/182 in³), it quickly became known as the "3-Litre". This straight-6 engine used an overhead intake valve and side exhaust valve, an unusual arrangement inherited from the Rover P4. Some early P5s had drum brakes, but most had power discs in front. An automatic transmission and power steering were optional. A Mark I-A line, introduced for 1961, featured a minor restyle with added front quarter windows. 20,963 had been produced when production of the original series ended in 1962.
[] Rover Mark II
The Mark II version of the P5 was introduced in 1962. It featured more power (129 hp/96 kW) from the same 3.0 L engine and an improved suspension, but the most notable addition was a coupe body style. This 4-door version featured a lowered roofline and thinner b-pillars, giving it the look of a hardtop. 5,482 coupes and 15,676 saloons had been produced when it was replaced in 1965.
[] Rover Mark III
The more modern-looking Mark III was introduced in 1965. It was again available in two 4-door body styles, coupe and saloon. The Mark III used the same engine as its predecessor, but it now produced 134 hp (99 kW). 3,919 saloons and 2,501 coupes were sold when production ended in 1967.
[] Rover P5B
The final iteration of the P5 appeared in 1967. Now powered by the 3.5 L (3528 cc/215 in³) Rover V8 engine also used in the 3500, the car was commonly known as the 3½ Litre. The final letter in the "P5B" model name came from Buick, the engine's originator (since Rover did not have the budget, time or expertise to develop sophisticated engines). The automatic transmission and power steering were now standard. The exterior was mostly unchanged, apart from bold '3.5 Litre' badging, a pair of fog lights which were added below the head lights, creating a striking 4 light array, additionally chrome Rostyle wheels with black painted inserts were fitted. The P5B existed as both the 4-door coupe and saloon body style until end of production. 9,099 coupes and 11,501 saloons had been built when the P5 series ended in 1973.
The 3½ Litre saloon variant was a favourite of high-ranking Government Ministers, and served as Prime-Ministerial transport for Wilson, Heath, Callaghan and Thatcher. As testament to their value, the last batch of P5Bs to roll off the Rover line were reserved for government use, and they were still familiar sights in Westminster for more than a decade after production had ended. When Margaret Thatcher entered Downing Street in 1979 after her election victory, she was driven in a 1972 model- and it was during Thatcher's eleven year tenure that the P5 was eventually phased out as a Prime-Ministerial car, in favour of the Jaguar XJ- a 2001 model of which is used to transport Tony Blair.
The Queen also owns an Arden Green Rover P5B Saloon 'JGY 280' which is on display at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire.
These days the P5 series is becoming a sought after collector car. Generating most interest, are the more sporty and rarer coupes. The extremely tough nature of these cars has also made them very popular with banger racers in the UK and many P5's have been destroyed in this way, and some stolen from loving owners to use in this manner.
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