Description

1939 Rover 16

No Reserve

Barn find saloon; off the road for many years; engine free and body looks sound; nice project

Yes, the proverbial 'barn find' that actually came from a barn! This 1939 Rover 16 saloon has been in the vendor's care for well over 30 years and it's time to move on...

Launched in 1937, the Rover P2 came as a revelation to the middle class motorist at which it was aimed. Beautifully built and trimmed, it was in a different league to most other cars in its class and offered levels of refinement that were normally associated with the kind of upmarket cars that most people could only dream of gracing their driveways.

There is sadly little information for us to go on, but it appears to have last been on the road in 1992. The vendor's father had the car resprayed some 30 years ago which would accord with what we see.

The document file includes two other MOTs from the 1970s and a buff logbook which shows ownership changes in 1958, 1964 and 1975. The registration number is no longer recognised by the DVLA, but assistance from the active Rover Register and the accompanying buff logbook should be sufficient for the DVLA to put it back on their books.

The body looks remarkably sound although the running boards will need fettling and the car looks complete. The engine is free but will obviously require a significant recommission before use once more.

The interior is less appealing, requiring a fresh headlining and repairs to the seats. These are present and the leather possibly saveable but the stitching has certainly seen better days.

These big pre-war Rovers were beautifully made and are a positive delight to drive. This car needs a new home that can give it the time and TLC that it so richly deserves.

On offer at No Reserve, we are all tempted to bring this lovely old girl back to life.

Documents: Buff logbook; three old MOTs

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