More than an old car #60: Rover 60 (P4)

Previously, I mentioned the Rover SD1 that had made an appearance here. It seems that there is a greater appreciation for obscure British cars and I was pleasantly surprised to spot this 1954 Rover P4-60 at the Road to Saigon flag-off! I had never heard of it until I saw it in one of my follower's feed (it was a photoshoot of the same car), it was pure luck that it had turned up at the event!

The Rover P4 series were a group of mid-size luxury cars produced by the Rover Company between 1949-1964. However, the P4 name was a factory designation and the common people identified them by the amount of horsepower produced ie 75, 60, 90, 105, 80, 100, 95 and 110. The bodies were made of an aluminum/magnesium alloy up to the final models, and was one of the last UK cars to feature "suicide doors".

The Rover 60 was announced in 1953 to include a more economical 4-cylinder engine. This specimen here is an early model, as there were modifications done later on such as a longer car boot and changed positions of the side indicators. It was powered by a 1997cc straight-4 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 127 km/h. It was 4530 mm long and weighed 1413 kg.

Production of the 60 ended in 1959 with 9,666 made. It turned out that this was originally imported into Singapore back in the 50s by Champion Motors Ltd, a car dealer that incidentally markets Suzuki cars today. This unit was registered in March 1954, but it sports a current registration number. It is part of British culture and was also known as the "Auntie Rovers": motoring journalist Denis Jenkinson commented that the P4 had tackled a torturous journey "just like going to Auntie's for tea". I hope you will have a chance to spot this uncommon beauty, with its quirky rounded look and two-tone paint!