Rover P6 2000TC - bearing up

[N Dentressangle]

It's not like I've not got other projects, but I've just picked up one of these:

It's an early 1971 mk2 2000TC. 53k genuine miles with tons of paperwork, runs and drives fine. Not too rotten but scruffy paintwork. Never had a P6 before, although some of the bits look familiar from Land Rovers.

What do I need to know about these fine carriages?

[Crackers]

They're absurdly good cars. Good enough to daily drive in 2025 without a worry about performance or handling. 

Commons faults are well documented online and parts supply is generally good except things like De Dion tube parts. 

Never tried a 2000, but a TC should go well enough and I've heard people say they are a better drive (more willing) than the 2200.

Enjoy it - I'm sure you will. 

[Matty]

1 hour ago, N Dentressangle said:

It's not like I've not got other projects, but I've just picked up one of these:

It's an early 1971 mk2 2000TC. 53k genuine miles with tons of paperwork, runs and drives fine. Not too rotten but scruffy paintwork. Never had a P6 before, although some of the bits look familiar from Land Rovers.

What do I need to know about these fine carriages?

You little bloody beauty. I had my doubts when you bought a 206 mind 🤣

[Matty]

Joking aside, more details. Runner driver? On the road as is and can be improved?? Don't leave us hanging pal

[lesapandre]

They rot behind the panels worth getting the wheels off and taking a really detailed look. Then rustproof.

Brake reservoir and associated problems see online.

Give the interior leather a feed.

[somewhatfoolish]

 @Conrad D. Conelrad is the man to tell you about the brakes.

[N Dentressangle]

15 minutes ago, Matty said:

You little bloody beauty. I had my doubts when you bought a 206 mind 🤣

That's gone to my dad, since he drove his Mercedes into a flood. I've offered to fit a snorkel 😉

[N Dentressangle]

10 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

They rot behind the panels worth getting the wheels off and taking a really detailed look. Then rustproof.

Brake reservoir and associated problems see online.

Give the interior leather a feed.

Most of the rot spots suggested online seem OK. There are a couple of bits of welding needed on the bottom of each sill at the rear, but that's all I've found so far. No doubt there will be more...

I think the seats are vinyl rather than leather, so it's all in OK shape.

[lesapandre]

I think under the back seat is a worth a check. They are lovely cars. They look very cool with the external spare wheel IMHO.

Probably benefit from use.

 

[ETCHY]

The P6 is a heck of a car, well done.

Take a look at De-dion tube & lift back seats out, I believe they can rot through in those areas. Bulkhead where the  horizontal springs mount to is worth a look too.

I think TC badge is in wrong place on grille.

More pics please, I like a P6, cool motors.

There's 2 owners clubs for these, if you need club help.

 

[artdjones]

They are lovely and distinctive cars.

Weak points:- rust in the base units, difficult back brakes, not a very economical or refined engine,  like most that have a Heron head.

Other than that, everything about them is good.

[Matty]

14 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

They look very cool with the external spare wheel IMHO.

And to think I used to like you 😉

[lesapandre]

5 minutes ago, Matty said:

And to think I used to like you 😉

You can get more in the boot....Very popular in period 👌.  I think the Dinky/Corgi had the feature too...🤣

[Matty]

4 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

You can get more in the boot....Very popular in period 👌.  I think the Dinky/Corgi had the feature too...🤣

Y'know cars of your youth that leave an indelible impression. While I was still in primary school our Tony was running a  3500s when it would just have been a cheap ten year old quick saloon that no bugger wanted (would've been about 86). An event of a car both inside and out and that's before we move onto the noise. I wanted to buy @Crackers beautiful example with the lt77 conversion when it was up for grabs but realistically couldn't house it.

Tldr absolutely love a P6 full stop.

[timolloyd]

23 minutes ago, ETCHY said:

 

I think TC badge is in wrong place on grille.

 

 

Scrap it.

[N Dentressangle]

6 minutes ago, timolloyd said:

Scrap it.

Totes. Worthless to me now.

I'll stick it up for free on here in case anyone wants to save it from the crusher

[ETCHY]

25 minutes ago, timolloyd said:

Scrap it.

FFS, it was just an observation.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Nice car back in the day, I had a 2000 TC  when they were still a current model, quite nippy and about 25 per gallon local.

Only negative I can recall they rolled a bit when cornering.

A positive is all the external panels bolt on, which makes structural welding and body repairs in general  much easier than  most other vehicles.

[N Dentressangle]

38 minutes ago, ETCHY said:

FFS, it was just an observation.

He's only pulling your leg 🤣

You're right though, it should probably go bottom left on the grille. Will get it sorted.

[N Dentressangle]

11 minutes ago, The Old Bloke Next Door said:

Nice car back in the day, I had a 2000 TC  when they were still a current model, quite nippy and about 25 per gallon local.

Only negative I can recall they rolled a bit when cornering.

A positive is all the external panels bolt on, which makes structural welding and body repairs in general  much easier than  most other vehicles.

Sounds good. 25mpg local I can live with. The V8 in my RRC does about 10mpg on short local trips, which is mentally expensive.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Bear in mind this was 1974 and the car had done less than 10000 miles when I bought it. 

Many year later when they had become a disposable banger I owned a 3500 auto which managed low 20's, sold it cheap when the mot ran out.

[ETCHY]

28 minutes ago, N Dentressangle said:

He's only pulling your leg 🤣

You're right though, it should probably go bottom left on the grille. Will get it sorted.

Yeah sorry bad day & prospect of return to work is impacting my sense of humour.

Nice motor that, I look forward to updates.

[Crackers]

53 minutes ago, The Old Bloke Next Door said:

Only negative I can recall they rolled a bit when cornering.

IME they do roll a lot but much like a 2CV, once you get through the roll it really digs in and handles much better than you'd imagine. Comfy AF too. 

[N Dentressangle]

3 hours ago, Matty said:

Joking aside, more details. Runner driver? On the road as is and can be improved?? Don't leave us hanging pal

More pics n shit tomorrow. Promise

[captain_70s]

2 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

He's only pulling your leg 🤣

You're right though, it should probably go bottom left on the grille. Will get it sorted.

Bold to assume BL put it in the right place to start with...

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, lesapandre said:

You can get more in the boot....Very popular in period 👌.  I think the Dinky/Corgi had the feature too...🤣

Yup, mine had the built in jacks too. Have parts knowledge if needed, @N Dentressangle

[adw1977]

6 hours ago, ETCHY said:

I think TC badge is in wrong place on grille.

I think you're right.

That's a 1974 brochure but pics of other 1971 cars online show it in the same place. 

[Asimo]

The engine block has these side panels rather than core plugs. They can rust through and leak so worth a check.

[Three Speed]

Lovely cars. I had a ‘72 3500S for 6 months in about ‘83. Loved it.  Terribly gear change- but never needed to change gear. Super comfy. Was still paying the fuel bill off a year after I sold it.

[N Dentressangle]

So, as promised, more details.

The car's a runner - starts and runs fine with no obvious issues. The motor is quiet and reflects the low mileage of 53k. I'll start with the elephant in the room, which is the paintwork. There are a couple of nasty 'Mikhail Gorbachev' type marks on the paintwork on the bonnet. I've wet sanded and T cut / polished, and this is the result:

Doesn't show the marks brilliantly, but I reckon once it's all as tidy as the RH side is it'll be acceptable.

Paperwork shows it had 4 new steel wings in the 90s, together with a bottom half respray done by a garage. It's not a great job, but again, I'll see what some sensible TLC will do.