1963 Rover P4 110

[SiC]

Decided to not proceed with the one I was thinking of potentially getting. Completely do-able project but I simply have too much on to take on another car that is a welding project before it can be a driver.

Still after a Spitfire. Keeping a lookout for when one comes up in budget.

This has come up that I can get for a grand more than the one before, so still have Spitfire budget money if one of them comes up too. That extra money I think is worth spending for getting something a little bit more solid and usable. Also the 110.

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It's been partially recommissioned and drove back 200 odd miles to the current owners place. He's well out of his depth with it though and his neighbours are whining about an old car on their street, so it needs to go.

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Looks to be in a decent enough condition. Topside is solid but aged/patina. Filler cap area has the usual grot.

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Front wing has had a crap repair previously.

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Rest of the outside looks reasonably respectable. Not shiny restored but in keeping with the age.

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Interior reasonable too.

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Underneath and the chassis is okay. There is that pitted hole on this outrigger but the rest of the chassis seems okay. Probably need some work or protection at least in the near term.

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Just arranging logistics but I almost certainly will be going for it. Probably not a long termer but something to runaround with this summer. Don't think there is too much I can poke holes into short term either.

[mercrocker]

Whilst I fully understand that needing protection underneath I would strongly urge leaving that for the next owner if you want to have a decent summer out of it! Looks a nice old thing though....

[treehugger]

Love the bench seats.

[panhard65]

Yeah leave well alone with the pointy stick as that won't end well. I would budget a set of tyres though as that one you can see close up is well out of date with cracks in the tread. I am a bit fussy with tyres though so up to you on them. I think if the bumper was either replaced or even just powder coated silver it would really lift the car and return a better price when the time comes. A simple little job that would make quite a difference. A gentle wire brush on the chassis and a load of stone chip on it will make it look better underneath. Overall it doesn't look too bad and as long as you don't poke it will be a fairly easy project to try one and not lose on it.

[DodgeRover]

Gentle with the wire brush then phosphoric acid and a good coat of some under body sealant.
DO NOT POKE

[mercrocker]

Let the next owner do all that, though.....Just use it if it's going to be temporary wheels. It won't get any worse over the summer and the next bloke can see what he is getting rather than trying to second guess new paint.

[SiC]

Plenty of stuff for me to fiddle with on it.

I'll give it a good service - fluid and filter changes. Potentially replace the brake hoses and probably end up doing the rear cylinders with maybe the master.

Tyres will be replaced if old and hard. No point destroying the soft ride with knackered tyres. Won't be anything special fitted mind.

Front wing I'm hoping just needs readjusting. Catches the passenger door when opening, so it'll need sorting as that'll just irritate Mrs SiC before she's even gone into it. That back section I can see annoying me and wanting to weld a patch in. But low priority.

Fuel hoses replaced with modern ethanol compliant. It's had overfuelling issues from the carb float sticking. So possibly a quick rebuild (I enjoy rebuilding SU carbs).

I know he's mentioned it blows blue smoke on startup. Hopefully it's just when cold. Given it's been laid up for years, it's probably the valve stem o-rings? No rush if the oil consumption is reasonable. Really the only unknown wild card on it that I don't want to get too involved with if I can help it.

Radio needs wiring back in. Presumably fixing too.

All straight forward stuff, mostly mechanical and hopefully fun things to sort.

Preservation and recommissioning over renovation and restoration is the aim I'm trying to learn with this one.

[SiC]

Any recommendations from the P4 experts on here for radial tyre sizes and brands? Cross-ply are far too expensive now to even consider. Michelin and other posh tyres are far too expensive too.

[mercrocker]

I seem to recall hearing these don't like radials but I'm sure Cros and Branders can put you right....

[SiC]

I think it’s usual that the steering goes heavy on radials on many classics?

Just messaged the guy about servicing. He did oil+filter change when he got it. Front hoses and pads done. Rears regreased (?). I’ll have a double check through anyway but sounds like I won’t need any additional expense on service parts.