Rover P6 3500 v8

About the Rover P6 3500 v8

The 3500 was introduced in April 1968 (one year after the Rover company was purchased by Triumph's owner, Leyland) and continued to be offered until 1977. The manufacturer asserted that the light metal V8 engine weighed the same as the four-cylinder unit of the Rover 2000, and the more powerful car's maximum speed of 114 mph (183 km/h) as well as its 10.5 second acceleration time from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) were considered impressive,and usefully faster than most of the cars with which, on the UK market, the car competed on price and specifications. (The glaring exception was the Jaguar 340, substantially quicker and, in terms of manufacturers' recommended prices, 15 per cent cheaper than the Rover 3500, the Jaguar representing exceptional value as a "run-out" model, shortly to be replaced by the Jaguar XJ6.)

In comparison, the Rover 3500 auto tested by Motor magazine in the issue published on 20th April 1968, achieved a maximum speed of 117mph (mean), 0-60 mph in 9.5secs, with a standing quarter mile in 17.6secs.

It was necessary to modify the under-bonnet space in order to squeeze the V8 engine into the P6 engine bay: the front suspension cross-member had to be relocated forward, while a more visible change was an extra air intake beneath the front bumper to accommodate the larger radiator.There was no longer space under the bonnet for the car's battery, which in the 3500 retreated to a position on the right side of the boot.Nevertheless, the overall length and width of the body were unchanged when compared with the smaller-engined original P6.