My Rover 2000SC automatic daily driver

[FrazzleTC]

I bought my Rover in August last year from Chelmsford in Essex. I had a thread about it on the previous practical forum, but I'll start a new one on here. To begin with, here's my most recent day out in it, followed by my current to do list. I'll post more about what's been done in the past soon.

Since I've been told henceforth I shall have to work on Sundays, I decided I'd take advantage of Sunday's fantastic sunshine, give the Rover a quick wash, and go out on a run on some of my favourite roads. For the first time today, it really felt that all of my expense and problems with the car had been worth it, the car was going really well, and I enjoyed every minute of the run. I went to Tesco in Castle Douglas to get some bits and bobs for lunch, and then headed for Laurieston. From Laurieston I went over the moor road to Gatehouse, which is a really nice road, with some decent scenery. I then had my lunch in Gatehouse, and from there, I drove round to Cream O' Galloway, the local ice cream place, where I sampled their produce.
From there I drove round the coast, stopping at Carrick shore for a walk, then continuing along the coast to Borgue, stopping for a quick pic at Kirkandrews church which looks like a Castle and I think is a great-looking little building. From Borgue I continued along to Kirkcudbright where I stopped for more pics, and I met a really friendly couple from Ayrshire, who, it transpired, had been Rover P6 owners for many years, until about 3 years ago, at which point they gave away their 1967 2000TC in burnt grey with red leather, along with a whole load of spares. I chatted to them for a good half hour or so, and then I headed home, stopping off for a couple more pics.
Here are a few photos from my run.














Sorry there are so many pics.

My current 'to do' list:
My 'to do' list.
The Angle drive for the speedo I'll do in the morning.
Sort my wiper situation, also tomorrow morning before work.
It would appear that I need to fit new brake pads on the front, these are a priority. I have the pads, it's just a case of finding the time to do them, sooner rather than later.
Find the source of the new oil leak. I think it's a hose, I'll investigate tomorrow morning, and order the relevant pieces.
Find the source of the new rattly noise that the car makes on acceleration, it's an engine noise. I'll have a look, but any suggestions gratefully received.
Source a section linking the back box to the front pipe, as the 'mid-section' that I bought, is just a resonance chamber, which leaves rather a large gap, which will need to be filled before I get the exhaust fitted. Anyone?
New rear tyres need done as soon as I can too, as they're cracking, and I really would like new tyres from a safety perspective. Suggestions as to makes, and prices?
Do the carb rebuild, preferably fairly soon, as the MPG is getting progressively worse, and given the price of fuel around here, I think it's important that I attend to this soon!

[FrazzleTC]

A pair of ET headrests have been bought for the car for £20 and should arrive very soon.

[Joloke]

Such a Gorgeous car,though i like all P6's theres something about the series 1 before they started putting cheaper badges and plastic grilles on them

Such a nice colour too you rarely see early ones in such vibrant shades most were greys or dark blues.

whats the interior like? lets see some interior piccys

Jodie

[FrazzleTC]

The interior is a little scruffy, and the seats are from a series 2 car, but it's servicable for the time being. I hope to source some flatpleat seats, anyone? Apart from the seats, the interior really isn't bad. These interior photos are from September last year, and the handbrake has since been adjusted. Any questions, feel free to ask.
The headrests are being changed this weekend, a new surround for the automatic selector is going to be fitted, and I am planning to change the radio too. If you're wondering what the red thing is on the parcel shelf, it's a high level brake light fitted by a previous owner which keeps falling off. If anyone knows of a nice set of seats, cheap, I'm interested.

[TerryG]

It looks like sitting in there is a very comfy place to be.
What does the "L" on the gear selector do?

[FrazzleTC]

From what I understand from the manual, L is for low, meaning that if you engage it when stationary, the car will remain in first gear, and will do if you select it below a certain speed, but if you're driving along, and select it, it will hold the car in second, for moments when you need engine braking. I've never used it though.
Forgot to say, I should add to my first post, that I'm only 19, so people often think it's strange that I drive a car like this at my age.

[TerryG]

That is definitely an unusual car for a 19 year old (I had a mini when i was 19) What turned you on to a P6 rather than the traditional corsa?

[FrazzleTC]

Basically, I decided I'd like a classic, because I've always been very interested in classic cars, and also because of other things such as relatively cheap insurance considering the type of car, tax exemption and so on. I considered all manner of classics, before narrowing my choices down to a Rover P6, Triumph 2000, Triumph Dolomite, or a Vanden Plas 1300. In the end I got a P6, as shown in this thread. I initially wanted a 2000TC but unfortunately my insurance company will only insure an 2000SC for me, at the moment. I like the styling of the series one, but I was quite happy to have any model, manual or auto, of a P6, but my search was narrowed down to 2000SCs, and it just so happened that I bought an auto. I do like driving autos, having driven one most of the time since passing my test, though I will happily drive manuals too.
The p6 feels very modern in many ways, it's nicely made, comfortable, fairly safe for a car of its period, and there are lots of spares available. I think they're terrific cars, but they can be unreliable if they've be owned by people who haven't done things properly.
I really do like owning and driving mine.

[JPB]

they can be unreliable if they've be owned by people who haven't done things properly.

Same is true of any of the cars on your wish list though and the P6 is, IMHO, far & away the most interesting from a design point of view so I think you made a great choice. It's the closest that the British motor industry ever came to the "clean sheet" thinking of the Citroen DS yet is every bit as easy to live with as a 2 year old Toyota.
I've driven quite a few P6s but have yet to own one. Some day, a nice automatic will find its way onto my drive though, and reading about your lovely example only reinforces that conviction. At one time, I would only have considered a V8 but the more I think about it, the more I realise that the P6 is all about that unique design and I know that any model from the P6 range would be perfectly lively enough.

You're such a lucky bloke to have that as a first car. I don't "do" jealousy but I'll admit to more than a little twinge of envy.

[Paul240480]

Great pics, fab car I recall, back in 1979 or 80 whilst I was serving in the RN. My oppo passed his test about a week before me. One evening in the dining hall he waved a set of keys under my nose, revelling in the fact that he'd bought a car whilst I was still waiting to take my test

The car? Well it was a white P6 auto on an F-reg. He'd bought it off one of the Chief Petty Officers on our base. That weekend he set off from Portland, Dorset to Somercotes, Derbyshire to see his folks. He, sadly did not get there. Somewhere not far from Dorchester the drive shaft (IIRC) snapped That sent it off to the scrap yard! He'd only had it for about two weeks by then! Mind you I went out in it with him once & he drove it like madman, tail out any where he could! So no surprise that he killed it