By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse
The Rover P5 that drove Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher into the history books is heading to auction later this month.
The ebony black Rover famously carried the country’s first female PM to meet the Queen in May 1979 and form the new Government.
It left the Solihull production line in 1973 and was converted by the Westminster coachbuilders, Hooper & Co, ready for a service in government. The car was one of three such Rovers used by ministers at the time of the 1979 general election and came wired for a police radio and red flashing lights.
The car had a 3.5 litre V8 engine, capable of producing 160 bhp and covering 0 – 60 in a modest 11.7 seconds.
The P5 model was launched in 1958 and was an excellent example of British engineering and craftsmanship.
It was Harold Wilson who gave these Rovers a ministerial role when he came to power in 1964, but 15 years on they wouldn’t find lasting favour with the Iron Lady who preferred to use a fleet of Jaguars.
Retired from service in late 1979, the P5 was sold to a private buyer a few months later.
The new owner added just 17,000 miles as the car spent much of its time in storage.
Today, the PM’s Rover is quite stunning with its original saddle tan hide upholstery and other distinguished interior fittings all in tact. Restoration has included rebuilding the engine and gearbox and freshening up the paintwork.
The Rover is being sold by Silverstone Auctions and given its unique provenance the car is expected to fetch around £45,000.
If this special piece of motoring history takes your fancy then why not head to the Silverstone circuit sale on 27th August?
For more information visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com