Registration - HOJ 389L

Chassis No. - 43615254D

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 21,500

With just three previous keepers (the first of whom appears to have owned the car for 30 years), this has obviously been a much-loved classic. Dating from the final year of Rover 2000 production (it was superseded by the 2200), ‘HOJ 389L’ is presented in what the vendor describes as ‘good, solid condition’, with ‘excellent’ transmission. It has benefited from a conversion to unleaded petrol and is painted in Rover Tobacco Leaf Brown and has a cream leather interior, with seats still bearing the original dealer plastic covers. Naturally it’s been exempt from MOT testing for some time, but it comes with ‘a stack’ of them from earlier years.

At its launch in 1963 the Rover 2000 (or P6 - the project codename for the sixth post-War Rover) caused a sensation, and was acclaimed as a luxury saloon which combined elegance with performance, safety and technological advancement. It was way ahead of its time, with innovations such as an independent suspension designed for (then-new) radial ply tyres, power assisted brakes to all four wheels, and bodywork crumple zones. An Autocar road test in 1963 declared the Rover 2000 to be ‘one of the outstanding cars of the decade’. The car was the very worthy recipient of the first-ever European Car of the Year award (1964) and, three years later, won the first AA Gold Rosette for Safety.

‘HOJ 389L’ is a Series Two model. The changes from Series One were largely cosmetic, so this car features vinyl-covered rear door pillars, stainless steel side trim and the distinctive black honeycomb front grille. This is a two-litre sports saloon at heart and promises highly enjoyable motoring for its new owner. And, with a strong club following, there is a ready-made social life ahead for the successful bidder!

In summary:

• Handsome, low-owner example of this technologically-advanced luxury saloon
• Unleaded fuel conversion
• Good history file – and original dealer plastic seat protectors!