In its day, it was compared favorably to the Rolls-Royce. In my day, it hasn't run. And my day hasn't started particularly recently. But despite being off the road for longer than it was on, this 1952 Rover P4 75 has many distinguishing features. As an early P4, it shows off the rare "Cyclops" front end that puts any Studebaker to shame, and necessitates any decades-long storage to be conducted with the front end pointed out (a process that may indeed involve the honor of being towed backwards by an MGB). Its F-Head straight six doesn't require you to make that difficult choice between flathead and OHV designs because it smartly combines main features from both. It has suicide doors that surely aren't a subtle suggestion to anyone attempting to work on its F-Head engine. Its four gears are selected on the column, like all of the finest motorcars (including but not limited to the 1974 Plymouth Valiant). It even has a transmission freewheel device that has something to do with decoupling the transmission from the engine in a manner that Rover swears is on purpose. As originality is of paramount importance in collector car circles, I have included a circa 1978 compression test of the unrestored powerplant. The variation between 23psi in cylinder #2 and 160psi in #3 clearly shows that this car is a rare and valuable survivor. Much like seeing a Ferrari 250 GTO or Zagato-bodied Aston Martin, witnessing a Rover P4 is an experience to cherish. I now present that opportunity.
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