Advice for buying a p6

biffa

New Member
Hi everyone, following my earlier thread about a p6 I was interested in, I have found another example and having spoken to the owner have arranged a time to go view tomorrow. I have never actually seen a p6 in person before. Having been a member here for a few years I have viewed others projects and taken things on board.
I'm capable of welding, spraying and most mechanical and electrical things however I would like to ask your expert advice,

What should I be looking for?
(It has previously been welded and the current owner has stated it needs more)

Suspension items to look for ?(rear suspension setup is unlike anything I have encountered before).

This is the car in question

https://www.gumtree.com/p/rover/rov...ar-banger-restore-rover-sd1-alloys/1327820605

Thankfully this time the photos are the correct way up.

It really isn't much to look at I understand but this doesn't put me off. Originally the colour was lunar grey which if I purchased it would be returned to original spec.

Is it possible to buy base unit floor pan repair panels?

Thank you in advance
Rob
 
Hi Rob,

Just my personal opinion but I think there are better examples out there for that money. A lot depends on the condition of the base unit especially the floors at each end of the sills and the bulkhead where the front suspension springs sit. Looking at the last of the photos I can't make it out that clearly but is that a patch repair panel on the passenger side inner wing? If it is I would walk away.
 
Thanks for the reply bougsy,
When I spoke to the owner and began asking questions about the areas of welding he was aware of, I asked if he would be open to offers and he did say around the 650 area.

I also noticed this on the passenger side inner wing top. If it turns out to be a money pit, it will at least have given me a chance to see a p6 and what a bad one looks like. The plus is, it isn't too far away so for the sake of an hour's drive...

Would I be correct in thinking the sill covers are just screwed on? If I haven't been put off at that point I might be cheeky and take them off. (Any difficulties in removing the sill covers)

If it is bad, I aren't obliged to buy it but I am excited to be seeing my first p6 :)
 
Yes the sill covers are screwed on (or should be) but removing them is more than a 2min job and likely to bring chunks of floor away with them if it's bad so you probably won't be able to.
Personally I wouldn't be at all tempted by that car, it's been messed with too much. If the welded on bumper sums up the standard of work, then you could end up with a mountain of stuff to put right.
And all those shiny bits under the bonnet, yet it still "NEEDS TIMING ETC. SETTING UP"? Who does he think he's kidding? I'd put money on it having a burnt valve or two. A compression test would show.

The only way to cover yourself, in my view, is to price it up as a collection of parts, (those wheels and tyres must be worth a couple of hundred to someone) and not pay a penny more.
 
I'd rather not comment on the price, but there are many far better looking examples out there at reasonable cost, certainly if you're prepared for a bit of work.

If you go & see this or any P6, lift the rear seat cushions (from the front - they just pull out) & any sound-deadening so you can check the condition of the sill section carefully. They should look like this (driver's side), although they may have been repaired without the pressings at the bottom.

DSC_8014edit.jpg

Rot or bodges here are probably THE indicator of a P6's structural health. To repair these areas properly is a huge & complicated job as usually the inner & outer D posts & much of the rear sill that is hidden by the outer cover will be non-existent :oops:

Also, look along the underside of the full length of the sills. Look for poor patching. If the outer cover sills are welded on rather than screwed, there's usually serious trouble!

If either of these areas look dodgy or have been poorly repaired, just walk away.
 
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Thank you for the replies, this is much appreciated!

As I say, it doesn't look pretty and there are questionable areas just from the photos.
My main focus is for a project, the paint work or trim issues aren't of great concern but the condition of the structural integrity of the base unit... Is a main concern. Whatever project I do buy, will eventually end up on a rollover chassis jig but I don't want a
weld-athon.

I will report back possibly with photos...

I'm remaining optimistic, the old saying of "hope for the best, expect the worst" however.. it will at least give me an idea of the p6.

Thanks again!
 
I'm remaining optimistic, the old saying of "hope for the best, expect the worst" however.. it will at least give me an idea of the p6.

It will, & to be fair to the vendor, it may be structurally a good car; some of the internal modifications make it look questionable, but they can be altered relatively easily. The matt / satin paint may be hiding a multitude of sins, but also it may not :cool:.

I'd be interested to see some more detailed pictures if you go & have a look at it.
 
This car has spent a lot of time on ebay and had no interest, personally I think it is only fit to be a parts car and I would suggest walking away. As members here have rightly said, there are better examples around for the price. You would be better off spending a bit more on a car that has cosmetic or mechanical issues, rust is the killer, you could end up spending thousands rebuilding a rot box.
 
Unfortunately it was only a quick viewing... Was handed the keys and began to look under the rear seats, began looking and moved on to the inside of the boot, owner came back and appeared upset to put it politely that the rear seats had been pulled up, reassured the owner they would fitted back in place and continued and found a few other issues, my brother on the passenger side removed a square patch that had been epoxy'd to the floor and things became a little heated as the owner began swearing and shouting so.. car was put back together and keys handed back.. all in all 10 minutes if that... The advert has also been removed. It had some serious issues however if it hadnt been covered with waxoyl I may have been tempted at a lower price but after the swearing etc I just walked away....
The good thing is.. I haven't been put off a p6 but I think... It might be a good idea to meet up with a local p6 owner to have a look at a good example and possibly hear a good example running.
Thanks for the info and advice, again this very much appreciated.
 
Actually the economics of P6 restoration aren't quite as cut and dried as is often said. Skilled or determined people CAN weld sills etc, the only really difficult bit being the lower D panel inside the rear door. It's much easier in general than some cars with a central, enclosed stiffening sill. Depending on what you want at the end of the process, shabby trim can be a real PITA to replace with something better, you could easily spend a four figure sum and take years to do this - of course it isn't essential to a safely driving car but so many sound P6s actually look like sheds because the trim really deteriorates with use. A professional respray is ideally a panel off job and £2.5k upwards, unless you know a man... So all things to keep in mind. As I said it depends what you want. I like the fact my car looks used, but I don't want it to go any further downhill!
 
always best to have a look at a rover type your interested with an owner whom isn't seeking to sell! that way. you can ask questions and most owners will be only to happy to point out what to look for and let you have a peek under bonnet . rear seat and in boot etc. taking. outer sills off is a much longer job than you think and most owners won't allow any screwdrivers near there car unless serious sellers.
try looking around for local car shows .. now and again you get lucky and a car of type and model you want will turn up. bingo. nice chat to owner ..not found any. owner whom isn't willing to give a bit of advise or show a car off bearing in mode when you ask ( in pouring rain when they are trying to drive off a site is NOT a good time) a friendly smile and approach often works wonders! good luck with hunting but don't rush as loads of rovers out there you just need to be sure. what to watch for and get prices right. try checking out spares /parts prices for an idea what you need to try and avoid replacing .
 
Thanks classicalgreen,

I've had a few classics before and I know just what you mean about someone asking questions about your car just as you are leaving a rainy show.

As for yesterday's experience I have just swept it under the carpet.
I have seen another p6 in Chorley
(through Facebook) it's a 1970 in blue (been painted by brush) but looks fairly tidy and complete. Upper my budget a little to hopefully find something a little better.

Between myself and my brother we can do the spraying and welding etc, what I have in mind is to find an example with a good base unit (not too fussed if it needs some welding but there is a limit to how much) it can be a slower long term project where I can take my time and keep my eyes open for any trim or parts it may need.

I first came across the p6 years ago but have never (even at shows) seen a p6 in person, but have often found myself look at members cars and projects here and looked on eBay etc. I've had other classics over the years and now believe that a p6 could be the right classic.

Understood about the sill covers, that example yesterday had been welded on.. the sill covers had been welded up too..
Thanks
Rob
 
Sounds like walking away was the best decision on yesterday’s car. Have you joined any of the P6 Facebook groups? Sometimes there are cars listed for sale there. Maybe there’s a member local to you on here who could show you round their car to give you an idea what to look for?
 
The economics always say buy the best you can. It's improving but almost certainly you can't recoup money invested. For most of us that's not a problem as we accept this for the enjoyment we get out of the cars. Hobbies by and large aren't investments. That means you benefit if you buy carefully. Quite a lot come up as estate sales sadly due to the age profile of typical owners. Although one really great thing is we now have some very enthusiastic and capable younger owners too.
 
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