Practically Classics Forum

I figured i would finally add a few pictures of my new..... well, new to me .... P4 I found her on eBay in Januray, and since she was quite local i figured i would take a closer look. I was quite surprised at how well preserved she is. Sure she needs some work, but what car wouldn`t thats been off the road since the late 1960s. the good thing is, she even runs

As found, the morning of pick-up, when myself and my delivery driver (Bill) turned up at a little place called Aythorpe Roding (just outside Great Dunmow in Essex)




once home, i couldn`t resist the temptation of getting a shot of Lady GaGa (the 75) and Darth Vader (my 1962 95)





It took about 45 minutes to move her into the yard as one of the brakes has been sticking badly...... this was adjusted right off after a lot of swearing/scraped knuckles




not many pictures at the moment, i`m afraid, but i shall make sure i post a few better ones shortly.
the plan is to fix the brakes; replace the exhaust (she currently sounds like a tank thanks to some kind person trying to jack up a 1400+kg car on its exhaust ); get the lights working; replace the lethal-looking, probably-40-year-old crossplies with suitable radials and weld the sills and a couple of patches in the floor, then its MOT time so I can start using her during the summer and carry out any other work as-and-when-needed.

Lovely! I look forward to seeing more about the Rover. I do like the minimalist rear end of the early ones.

A great find,best of luck getting her on the road.

Another one saved from the banger track, good work!

thanks chaps

@Willy, i think i prefer the earlier, cleaner style of these cars. When i first got into classic cars, I always said i`d like a P4 - or a car with column-change - and now I have both!!

@suffolkpete, she really was saved from the track. the guy I bought her from had told me that if the reserve wasn`t met the engine and gearbox would be removed and later items fitted then she`d be taken to the All-Rover meet at Ipswich in July I have to say, that would have been such a shame as she`s so solid and original - i`ve been cleaning up all the floors for the last week as the carpets were soaked through, and they look like they`ve been untouched since the left the factory in late-1952

just thought i`d post a quick update on Lady GaGa....
i`ve managed to get the drivers door glass to go all the way up and hold but it still doesn`t seem to want to stay in the runners when I wind the handle down, so further investigation/scratched arms/swearing will follow
i removed the carpets, soundproofing and transmission tunnel from the front of the car as they were a little moist (seems i have a slight leak through the screen rubber...... oh well) and found a couple of holes in the nsf footwell thankfully they aren`t huge and look easily repairable....... unlike the A40 Farina I once had - did someone say reject from the Flinstones?!?!?! the sills seem to need a little fettling as well, but again, don`t look too bad. i`ve now completely removed the front bench seat, carpet and sound-proofing to completely clean the floorpans prior to any welding, just to see what sort of condition they were...... and they are in amazing condition they look like they haven`t been touched since they left the factory John (my welding expert) has promised to come down towards the end of the week to lend a hand with fixing the sills and the footwell.
finally, I started to strip down the rear brakes so she`s at least movable to be able to get in and out of the garage for when the welding starts. it looks like the shoes have had no/very little use the rear cylinders both look a little weepy, so i`ve got a refurb kit (from John Waering) for them...... hopefully that will cure it. since i`ve stripped them down, i have been soaking the nsr brake cylinder in some 'releasing agent' to try and free it off....... its been almost 3 weeks and nothing so I borrowed a friends compressor and managed to gently encourage the pistons free. When they came out, I can`t say I was surprised it was stuck........ the piston had almost rusted itself solid to the inner wall i`m going to try and clean it all up and see if it is reusable first. if it isn`t my bank account will take a bit of a hit getting another 2 for the complete axle - why are Girling cylinders so damned expensive on a P4?!?!?!

why do you call it lady gaga?
good luck with your resto

rich. wrote:why do you call it lady gaga?

i call her Lady GaGa for 2 reasons....... firstly, when I saw her on eBay I happened to be listening to 'Poker Face' by Lady GaGa on iTunes, and secondly because of the letters on her numberplate... PKR. Confusing, and weird, I know...... but, hey!, its a conversation starter

i wondered if ms gaga had dressed as a rover 75.... now theres a thought

rich. wrote:i wondered if ms gaga had dressed as a rover 75.... now theres a thought

can`t be any worse than the meat dress