- Say hello to 'Wilbur' - the P4 that has acted as camera car for the last two Hope Classic Rallies.

ROVER P4: THE HOPE CLASSIC GUIDE

Don't let the 'Auntie' nickname deter you - the Rover P4 is arguably one of the great classic car bargains.

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If you're after a classic car to explore the nation's bendiest B-roads, we suggest you move on - there's nothing here for you. But then, agility was never the point of Rover's post-war P4. Launched at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1949, the P4 was a blend of striking good looks and the promise of excellent build and comfort - promises that it delivered on until its demise in May of 1964.

We've compiled some of the best coverage of the P4 out there, along with an insider's guide from someone very close to the Hope Classic - Adam Gompertz, whose P4 has acted as a rather beautiful camera car at the last two Rallies.

What the experts say

ClassicWorld

a P4 cabin in that’s in good nick is fabulous place to while away hour after hour.

Classiccars4sale

"The engine starts on the button and sounds wonderfully smooth when warmed up. It pulls well once on the move and makes this a very relaxing car to drive."

ClassicCars4Sale

"Surrounded by high-quality materials wrapped up in an understated design, a P4 cabin in that’s in good nick is fabulous place to while away hour after hour."

ClassicCarsForSale

"The handling was never anything to get too excited about, but then this isn’t a car to push hard. If you insist, the nose will soon push wide and unsettling bodyroll sets ins. That said, avoid over-harsh cornering efforts and the P4 can barrel along a twisty B-road at a fair speed. "

David Hughes

The Telegraph

"It is throatily quick and burns off a modern BMW at the lights. It is so well made, with such delightful detailing, it is more luxurious than an early Sixties baby Jaguar."

What's life like with the Hope Classic 'camera car'?

Adam Gompertz explains what daily life is like with his Rover P4 100.

Wilbur setting off from Brooklands at this year's Hope Classic Rally.

Wilbur setting off from Brooklands at this year's Hope Classic Rally.

"I've owned a 1962 Rover P4 100 for three years now. It was originally bought by someone in Burton on Trent, and then spent its life in Derbyshire, Wales, and I bought it from a very knowledgeable chap in Dudley.

"I originally went to look at another, this one being out of my price range, but when i drove this one - I knew it was the one for me. And the chap very kindly hung onto it until I had the money ready. It has done two Hope Classic Rallies , as camera car. It goes under the name of ‘Wilbur’ after William Wilberforce.

"I have loved old British cars, and the P4 had a cabin that seated four in great comfort, it was a little different from the more numerous MGBs and Morris Minor’s. It was built at a time when the Rover engineering had real solidity and integrity, too. Plus, the values are not sky high - so it's accessible from that point of view.

"The first year I had the car, I did 10,000 miles - on the motorway, down to Goodwood, Brooklands, Bicester, - all over the place really. It became our second car for a while. Now I do less miles, partly because of the fuel consumption, and trying to keep repair and maintenance bills down. We had a very large engine repair bill in the second year - so I am trying to be careful.

"What would I advise a potential buyer? I would certainly not just buy the first you see. Have a good look around, and join the P4 Drivers Guild (the owners' club). They are a brilliant resource, and often the best place to find a car for sale. There are some sold elsewhere that can be very overpriced - you will never make that money back - so the owners' club really are a valuable source of info and advice.

"Test drive one too, they are heavy at low speeds, and they certainly are not sports cars. As such they are not everyone’s cup of tea - so make sure you like them. But get into the cruising vibe, enjoy the journey, and revel in that ride quality and you will understand what makes them so special.

"Spares are available, there are a few specialists, and club support is fantastic. Always look underneath at the structure - there are solid beams under there - make sure they are still solid. Interiors are harder to find parts for, so make sure it is in good order - as with all classic cars go for the best your budget can afford rather than the cheapest.

"All classics can have frustrations - Wilbur is not exempt. I think the hardest thing at first is getting your head around the fact this car is from 1962 - it won’t accelerate or brake like a modern car, and there will always be things that need attending to. Ironically, whilst leaving it in the garage might not put the miles on it - they are much better for being used and driven. No old car likes standing still for years at a time. I think the highs and lows are all part and parcel of the classic car ownership experience. I am slowly getting around to that - even if my wallet is not always so understanding.

They ride so softly, the engine (mine is a six cylinder) is so smooth

ADAM GOMPERTZ

What do I like about the car the most? Where do I start? P4’s were called the ‘poor mans Rolls-Royce’ and at times it really does feel like that. They ride so softly, the engine (mine is a six cylinder) is so smooth - and with overdrive long journeys are fine - just be prepared for speeds of 50 - 70 max and enjoy the ride.

"It gets loads of attention, and being a Rover (now no longer operating as a company) there are a lot of people who are not sure what it is. It's quite amusing as they come past you, trying to decipher the badge. I love the fact that its different from a modern car, that it can carry all four of us, that it has a Webasto roof ( a rare option on a P4 - and great for being the rally camera car). Most of all - it gets people chatting and talking, and I love that.

"Wilbur will have a bit of a rest over the winter, although I will still get him out to club meets. i would love to do a big tour with him - and am currently in the process of organising one. Being a Vicar (an unofficial Vicar to the classic car community) - Wilbur and I lead a fairly busy life - and he may well be called back to Hope Classic duties next year. There are also some bodywork issues that need to be addressed, alongside a driver’s seat repair - it never ends really.

'Wilbur', by Adam Gompertz, whose excellent illustrations have been sold for charity at the Hope Classic.

'Wilbur', by Adam Gompertz, whose excellent illustrations have been sold for charity at the Hope Classic.

'Wilbur' at this year's Hope Classic Rally

And before you go...

The Hope Classic Rally turns a love of classic cars into support for vulnerable children in Southern and Eastern Africa through the WeSeeHope charity.

If you have a classic car that you think would add to the annual Rally, or if you want to know how to support the event, please get in touch!

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Comments (1)

  • Lovely car, great bloke owner.

      2 years ago
1