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Rover P6 4.5 litre

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14K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  SIGMA 51  
#1 ·
Back in 1970 Bill Shaw was commissioned by the British Leyland Competitions Department to build and prepare a Rover P6 in readiness for possible participation in the 1971 British Group 2 Saloon Car Championship. The car was fitted with a Traco modified version of the Rover 3.5 V8, bored and stroked giving a capacity of 4.5 litres. This unit was linked to a modified four speed Rover 2000 gearbox.

Former British saloon car champion Roy Pierpoint was appointed to drive the car, competing in a number of special saloon events, achieving 1 victory at Castle Coombe. My model is based upon the P6s debut, as raced at Mallory Park on April 19th, 1970. Although showing great promise during practice and early stages of the race, the suspension failed and unfortunately, Pierpoint became an early retirement. However, during its brief appearance, my memory recalls it was a magnificent sight and its 4.5 litre engine sounded glorious as it bellowed around the tiny Leicestershire track. Sadly the project ceased to continue beyond 1970, partly due to the BL Competition department cutting back….something to do with a 'recession' perhaps…

The model has been built using a FF Models resin shell. There are still a few finer details to complete and it currently sits on a PCS chassis, but over the winter I'm planning to replace that with a brass construction.

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Many thanks for looking.

Dave
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Miker, yes, it only raced in red and white (British Leylands racing livery of the period), but I understand the car eventually made its way to Australia, where it was raced in yellow & red colours before recently returning to the UK. It has since been restored and now appears in a much brighter red than back in 1970.

Dave
 
I had intended to add this to the original post, but only found it today. This is my original race day programme at which the Rover made its debut in the hands of Roy Pierpoint. Also pictured is an early publicity shot (from inside the programme) of the car prior to the event

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Thanks again for everyones comments and interest.

Dave