Hi new member in Devon

P

Paul Devon

New Member
Hi
Thanks for letting me join.
Have had strange hankering for a P6. Have seen one locally , a ‘76 3500s.
Not too keen on the mustard yellow colour ( or the £6500 price ) but it has a mot history of sorts. Would it be ok to post pics in the hope that members may go over the mot history and check for red flags / comment ? It is advertised on eBay.
An owners club sticker in back window , can’t remember which one .
Bit of rust where corner of rear windscreen joins bodywork . Overall in well-used condition. Speedo / odometer replaced ( but speedo still wavers apparently )
Has been sat on garage forecourt for quite a while I believe.
Have read the buyers’ guide kindly supplied online by one of the clubs , and vendor happy to put it on ramps.
Engine started fine and burbled nicely. Vendor suggested there maybe a slight tappet noise.
Have run working land rovers for 40 years so I do have mechanical experience / low standards !
Also own a 1956 Talbot 90 ( and a Valtra 8550 with roof mount ! ).
Would be possibly just as happy with a P5 …
Cheers
 
The MOT history does not appear read too badly. It gives the impression of a car that needs a good going over, the suspension ball joints and rubber boots obviously need replacing if they have not been done already. The other minor stuff is just what you expect with an old car.
The stand out comment for me is that the underside is heavily undersealed, this may be a conscientious previous owner protecting the car, or it may be an attempt to hide a lot of rot - beware !
Brakes will need reconditioning.
I would also have a look inside the rocker covers via the filler / breather, if you see a lot of black tar and gunk then it does not bode well for the engine condition. An engine rebuild, plus all the other works, and a colour you don't like may make it worth considering looking around at others.

Just pointing out the obvious, not dissing, or recommending either way.
 
Many many thanks for appraisal of mot history and tips.
Pretty much as I was thinking ( though I know how easily I can fool myself when attraction overrides sense , so am very grateful for second opinion ).
Will have a good inspection underneath re underseal when on ramps.
Will now check for black tar and gunk via filler / breather.
Slight concern was that under the bonnet , the radiator cap was off. Still I suppose checking coolant level , running up to temp and taking for a good run ought to show any problems.

On price ……seeing one or two 3500S at £10,000+ , obviously very tidy examples. This one is more rough / useable which is fine for me. Feels like £6500 possibly a bit steep ??
 
P6 V8 Rovers do like to find their own coolant level, so if the rad is brimmed don't be surprised to find that the rad overflows until it settles about an inch down from the top of the tank. Have a look inside the oil breather tubes and filler cap for mayonnaise indicating a possible head gasket issue.
I think a long test drive in the current hot climate ought to show up any issues. Good luck - it's a buyers market ;)
 
Have you seen the 3500s in Cardiff on eBay? May be worth a trip over the bridge. It’s few grand cheaper than the one in Newton Abbot.
 
Have seen it now , thanks.
Yes , price more like it. Mot from a while ago showing corrosion and bit busy ( too old to work , too young for a pension ! ) for trip to Cardiff ( am s Devon / Torquay ).
Anyways ……………..
I have viewed some P5 s on eBay and may have had my heart swayed.
 
Hi
Just to follow up , have decided against the 3500s that I was asking about.
Thanks for advice .
Do now feel a need for a rover V8 so may well be back !
 
A few years ago I was tempted by a P6B but in the end didn’t buy; then regretted it for the next year! Fortunately something better soon came up fairly locally, with a little bit of historical interest too: the oldest Mk2 still on the road. Keep a lookout and keep up with the Forum too. You never know what will happen.
 
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