one american's p6 cred

[stevevanderveer]

I'm well into cocktail hour, so bear with me.... I will wager that I am one of the very first Americans to ever ride in a Rover p6, in 1965, probably one from the first shipment. My old man was an engineer/designer for American Motor Corporation (AMC) then, and it was common practice for U.S. car companies to get ahold of all new models from rival companies, domestic and, increasingly at that point, foreign - they would tear 'em apart to see what ideas they could steal..... anyways, AMC bought a red Rover 2000, and my father used it for a couple of weeks. I remember thinking it was very, very cool -( I was a major automotive snob when I was 12, ....still am) I think I also remember my father being impressed by the engineering.... And....... our beloved family dog, a dachshund (sp?) was, seriously, named "Rover" . ... thank you

 

[chrisw]

Hi Steve,

The 2000 was launched at the New York Motor Show in April 1964, when several cars were shipped across including the gold launch car and the white sectioned car, both previously seen at Earls Court in London in 1963. In addition, several cars were flown across so that Rover personnel could take perspective customers and members of the press out for drives around New York.

The cars then started shipping, albeit slowly until July 1964 when more regular shipping started..

So not quite the first then, not by about two years. In 1965, I'd guess that at least a hundred cars were in North America, maybe more..


Regards,

Chris

 

[stevevanderveer]

you know, after I posted my comment I realized that it most likely was 1964 - my mistake (told you I was drinkin'). - Also, I'm sure it was springtime..... Might have a pic somewhere in my deceased parents vast cache of photographs.....