Rover P5 3-litre Mk I

About the Rover P5 3-litre Mk I

The Rover P5 series, is a group of large saloon and coupé automobiles that were produced by Rover from 1958 until 1973. Models were marketed under the names Rover 3 Litre, Rover 3.5 Litre and Rover 3½ Litre.

The P5 was a much larger car than the P4 which in some respects it replaced. 69,141 units were built.

The P5 appeared in September 1958,badged as the "3-litre". It was powered by a 2,995 cubic centimetres (182.8 cu in) engine. This straight-6 IOE engine used an overhead intake valve and side exhaust valve, an unusual arrangement inherited from the Rover P4. In this form, output of 115 brake horsepower (86 kW) was claimed.An automatic transmission, overdrive on the manual, and Burman power steering were optional with overdrive becoming standard from May 1960.

Stopping power came originally from a Girling brake system that employed 11-inch (280 mm) drums all round, but this was a heavy car and by the time of the London Motor Show in October 1959 Girling front-wheel power discs brakes had appeared on the front wheels.

The suspension was independent at the front using wishbones and torsion bars and at the rear had a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

A Mark I-A line, introduced in September 1961, featured a minor restyle with added front quarter windows, intended to "assist the dashboard ventilation".Under the metal, the 1A featured modifications to the engine mountings and the automatic transmission and hydrosteer variable ratio power steering as an option.

By 1962, when production of the original Mark I series ended, 20,963 had been produced.

An automatic version tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 95.0 miles per hour (152.9 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in 17.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.5 miles per imperial gallon (13.8 L/100 km; 17.1 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1864 including taxes.

Steel monocoque construction
Engine : Iron block with alloy head, straight six with one SU carb
Transmission : Four speed manual. An automatic transmission, overdrive on the manual, and Burman power steering were optional. Rear wheel drive.
Suspension : Independent at the front using wishbones and torsion bars and at the rear had a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
Steering : worm and peg
Brakes : drums all round, discs were later used on the front wheels with a servo.