Archived · Classic Cars · 3 min read
Rover P6 2000
This date is the archive capture date; the original publication date was unavailable.
Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2008-08-02.
Rover P6B 3500
1968 - 1977
Country:
Engine:
V8
Capacity:
3528 cc
Power:
161 bhp @ 5200 rpm
Transmission:
3 spd. auto 4 spd. man
Top Speed:
118 mph / 122 mph (S)
Number Built:
n/a
Collectability:
Rover 2000 Television Commercial
Rover introduced the V8 version of the P6 in April 1968 as the Three Thousand Five saloon, a designation it would carry until late 1970 when it became known as the 3500.
This luxurious saloon basically shared the body and most of the features of the smaller engined 2000 P6 saloon that was introduced in 1963, including the de Dion rear suspension and four wheel disc brakes, however it was only available with automatic transmission to begin with.
The Buick designed engine was already in use in the Rover P5B Saloon and Coupe giving those cars excellent performance, but in this lighter car it was even more impressive. In 1970 the car received changes to the interior and exterior trim in line with updates to the 2000 saloons, such as a redesigned front grille and improved instrumentation.
In 1971 with the introduction of the 3500 S saloon, manual transmission arrived, with the automatic continuing in production as the 3500. The manual car benefited from improved performance, although in late 1973 all engines were detuned somewhat to meet exhaust emission legislation, and performance suffered slightly as a consequence.
Also in 1973 the Rover 3500 range gained the option of being fitted with the new Dunlop Denevo run-flat safety tyres which could, even under complete deflation, keep the car stable. The Rover 3500 & 3500 S were both discontinued in March 1977.
Rover 3500 Trivia
September 2007 marked the 25th anniversary of the death of actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco who was a P6 fan. While driving with her daughter Stephanie to Monaco from their country home on September 13, 1982, Princess Grace, then 52, suffered a stroke, causing her Rover 3500 to plunge down the mountainside.
Princess Grace died the next day without regaining consciousness. Princess Stephanie suffered only minor injuries. It was rumoured that she had been driving on the same stretch of highway that had been featured in her 1955 movie To Catch a Thief, although her son says that it was not.Princess Grace is interred in Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco and Prince Rainier was buried alongside her following his death in 2005. Nearly 100 million people worldwide watched her funeral on television.
Rover P6B 3500 Specifications
Model
P6B 3500 Saloon
P6B 3500 S Saloon
Years Produced
1968 -1976
1971 -1976
Body Type
4 door saloon, steel monocoque body tub, bolt on panels, alloy boot & bonnet
Length
14ft 11in
14ft 11in
Width
5ft 6in
5ft 6in
Weight
2804lb
2855lb
Engine
V8 cyl inline 3528cc
V8 cyl 3528cc
Power
161 bhp @ 5200 rpm (pre Oct ‘73)
161 bhp @ 5200 rpm (pre Oct ‘73)
Gearbox
3 speed automatic
4 speed manual
Driven Wheels
Rear
Rear
Brakes
Servo assisted discs all round
Front Suspension
Independent by horizontally mounted coil springs
Rear Suspension
Independent coil spring with de Dion tube
Rover P6B 3500 Performance
Model
P6B 3500 Saloon
P6B 3500 S Saloon
Top Speed
118 mph
122 mph
0 - 60 mph
10.5 seconds
9 seconds
Fuel Consumption
22 mpg
24 mpg
