Rover 3500S Test Drive - Part I

This model has power steering.

This car has had major repairs in its 36 years but has never been restored - all of the original features are intact.

The Rover 3500S was detuned in the wake of the 1973 Oil Crisis and models like this one have a 9:1 compression ratio compared to the 10.5:1 I'm used to.

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[soniks59]

My father had a dark green one brand new in 1974...then I had my own a '73 L reg in 1982...the 3500s p6 brilliant cars!

[chris4861]

This one's an N-reg with the 9:1 compression ratio.

Mine's an L-reg on 10.5:1 with a 4-barrel carb - she really flies!

[009stuboy]

it sounds like it goes hard , mines auto , it hammers

[follytowers]

Memories of 3000 miles round south of France from Dorset - great cars. That sounds like a nice example as well!

[yogifalkmybitch]

The only thing that does not rust is the plastic wood

[arglwyddanfradwrus]

@tonyurmate the glass dome fuel pump I think is fitted to the 4 cylinder variants, not the V8.

They did later (75, 76 or 77 I think) change it to the same type (or similar) as on the V8.

[mexicodriver]

power steering? there's an awful lot of arm twirling going on!

[tonyurmate]

If buying check under the back seats which lift out because of serious rott which can be hidden,also I would change the needle and seat in the carb because if its worn petrol will piss out of it onto the manifold,because I had this problem,the part can be bought new which cost me 40euro,and is very easy to fit,also check the fuel pump,if the gasket is worn petrol will leak out,make sure the swing bracket is tight over the glass dome,ohh yeah do not drive the p6 on icy roads. good car otherwise

[Dav123xyz]

Agreed a bout the classic bit, mate.  No need to gun it so hard?

[arglwyddanfradwrus]

@chris4861 Hopefully it will live to drive again! :)

[chris4861]

@arglwyddanfradwrus @vlboi253 This isn't my car but I happen to know it has been stripped down and is being rebuilt - I assume that includes the engine.

[arglwyddanfradwrus]

@vlboi253 The oil pressure is low, but this is the 3500 V8 engine, so the pressure is not so low as to cause any real damage. Just means the bearings have some wear in them.

The 4 cylinder P6's (2000 and 2200 [SC's and TC's]) on the other hand are VERY sensitive to low oil pressure. In them, any low oil pressure has to be checked and rectified ASAP, otherwise the engine will be ruined very quickly!