One For Classic Car Fans.....

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Profpointy

Legendary Member
My parents had a P6 3500.

Had inboard rear brakes which is what killed it apparently.
It was definitely in the banger category back then rather than the classics.

I have it on good authority that changing the rear brakes is a right pain. A workmate had do it and because it was tricky he ended up having to buy a quite expensive special tool from Rover. This didn't actually work as his brakes were too badly worn and the tool only helped if they were only somewhat worn. I can't quite visualise this, but that was the story. Another owner said it was easy as you "just" unbolted the diff from the body and allow it drop it down giving you room to access the callipers. This didn't sound at all easy to me !

For those unfamiliar with the layout, the P6 had a De Dion axle with the wheels essentially joined by something akin to a normal axle, but with the diff attached to the body, and half shafts similar to independent suspension driving the wheels. It then makes sense to have the breaks on the inboard end to reduce the unsprung weight thus improving ride quality, handling and roadholding, though at the expense of easy access
 

Drago

Legendary Member
I can comfirm its a bit of a ballache of a job. I don't recall needing a special tool, but it was unbolt driveshaft, caliper, disconnect handbrake cable, etc.

Probably fine on a 2 poster ramp, but awkward to do your back, and if you're paying a garage to do it probably 3 times the labour costs of a rear disc change on anything else. Not difficult, just a lot of it and tiresome to do at home. Certainly wouldn't justify getting shot of one for needing rear discs alone.
 
Yes, I think you are right.

Mostly, but not quite.

It is likely to be from around 1985 but could be slightly earlier or later. Likely to be a Mulsanne, but could be Turbo R or an Eight, impossible to be more precise from that photo. (Mulsanne is the Bentley version of the Spur. Continentals came out later).

[I know my Royces better than Bentleys!!]
 

diplodicus

Well-Known Member
I didn't look too close, as I am more into the American stuff.
I think I was led astray by the number plate that says ROLL, so just assmed it was a Rolls Royce.😐
 

Jameshow

Guru
I have it on good authority that changing the rear brakes is a right pain. A workmate had do it and because it was tricky he ended up having to buy a quite expensive special tool from Rover. This didn't actually work as his brakes were too badly worn and the tool only helped if they were only somewhat worn. I can't quite visualise this, but that was the story. Another owner said it was easy as you "just" unbolted the diff from the body and allow it drop it down giving you room to access the callipers. This didn't sound at all easy to me !

For those unfamiliar with the layout, the P6 had a De Dion axle with the wheels essentially joined by something akin to a normal axle, but with the diff attached to the body, and half shafts similar to independent suspension driving the wheels. It then makes sense to have the breaks on the inboard end to reduce the unsprung weight thus improving ride quality, handling and roadholding, though at the expense of easy access
From my dad!

I put a replacement rear axle in it which gave it a bit more life, but the killer was when it's brakes gave up while Cynthia was driving it, a case of ENOUGH ALREADY. So that was the end of our Rover ownership. But I always loved to raise the bonnet and look at the v8 motor.

Cyclo cross this afternoon ;

Matt van der Poel rides away at the start and remains there until the finish.
Nothing changed there then !

Thought the cx news might amuse!
 
I posted this in the wrong thread (Pointless and Impractical Vehicles) so am rectifying my whoopsie:

Back to the debate about gas turbine-powered racing cars, another one (that I didn't know about) popped up on an Oulton Park FB group I'm a member of, as it competed in the 1968 Gold Cup meeting (and the BOAC 500 at Brands).

The US-made Howmet-TX sports prototype. Driven in the UK by quite an interesting character called Hugh Dibley.

But looking that up then led to another discovery...

The equally US-made STP-Paxton USAC (indycar), designed by Ken Wallis, a relative of a certain Barnes "bouncing bomb" Wallis.

So they *are* out there, not just the much better known Lotuses and BRMs.
 

Jameshow

Guru
I posted this in the wrong thread (Pointless and Impractical Vehicles) so am rectifying my whoopsie:

Back to the debate about gas turbine-powered racing cars, another one (that I didn't know about) popped up on an Oulton Park FB group I'm a member of, as it competed in the 1968 Gold Cup meeting (and the BOAC 500 at Brands).

The US-made Howmet-TX sports prototype. Driven in the UK by quite an interesting character called Hugh Dibley.

But looking that up then led to another discovery...

The equally US-made STP-Paxton USAC (indycar), designed by Ken Wallis, a relative of a certain Barnes "bouncing bomb" Wallis.

So they *are* out there, not just the much better known Lotuses and BRMs.

Rover was a leading producers of small turbines in the 1950s + 60s producing many turbines for aircraft as auxiliary power units.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
Indeed. Rover made jets during the war, and had a bit of a fall out with Whittle and Power Jets. Rover were frustrated with what they viewed as immature designs and worked hard to improve them, while Whittle was suspicious that Rover would try and capitalise on Power Jet patents given half a chance.

In reality, once Rover got going they quickly moved ahead onto more efficient and compact axial flow designs.
 
me mum at 20 out at the farm, Ouimet, Ontario, 1952.

the car a 1950ish Studebaker Champion.

IMG_0767.jpeg
 
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