1936 Rover P2 12hp Saloon
In the 1930s, Rover made solid, well engineered saloons much favoured by the middle and professional classes. This 12hp example has the usual 1500cc 4 cylinder engine mounted in a traditional chassis and carrying a factory 4 door saloon body made from the traditional ash frame construction method. This car arrived with us having already had the chassis, engine and running gear restored. The problems it had lay mainly in the bodywork area. This is basically how the car arrived with us - it doesn’t look too bad. However there were significant problems with the bodywork, ash framing and, of course, the paintwork wasn’t too good in places!
Here, detailed repairs are being made to the ash framing around the rear window area. The rear widow is trial fitted to ensure a good fit later after the body is painted.
After the bodywork was completed it was painted on the chassis with the engine etc. still in situ as there was little need to spray paint underneath areas. The wings and doors etc. are all painted separately, of course.
Our trimmer made up all the interior trim, using the tatty originals as a pattern. Here a door is having its new door card tacked into place.
And here’s the (nearly) finished result. The pleated section is actually a pocket for maps. The lower section will have a piece of carpet fitted to it to match the rest of the carpet set.
The lights and external fittings also needed restoration. Here the rear luggage rack is receiving attention. It was cleverly designed to fold down and out to take suitcases when needed, and the rear number plate was hinged so as always to be visible. The loom thus has to be routed correctly to allow for this as the tail, stop and number plate lights are all carried on the rear number plate backing.
Meanwhile at the front of the car, the assembly work also continues. The engine bay includes such delights as a chassis lubrication system. Rovers were famous for having a free wheel device on the gearbox - it gave better fuel economy but of course there was no engine braking when it was engaged. The one on this car worked fine but it would be a brave man who engaged it down a steep hill!
All finished and looking superb. The photo just about shows the huge factory sunroof that is fabric covered and works well. The luggage rack is folded up to its usual position here. The restrained black paintwork looks beautiful and the gold pin stripe really completes the job!
