Rover P4

Reprinted after a long absence, this Veloce Classic is the definitive history of the dignified Rover P4 from 1949 until 1964, which includes Marauder and jet-powered, experimental cars. Nowadays affectionately known as the 'Aunty' Rover, the dignified P4 series of cars was launched in 1949 to carry Britain's Rover company into the postwar era. Rover's well-deserved reputation for building high-quality cars, and the marque's upmarket image, ensured that the P4 series appealed to the company's traditional clientele – doctors, solicitors, bank managers and others of similar social rank._x000B_ Despite the rather staid image of the P4 series, over the years the cars had many interesting features, like the original 'Cyclops' central headlight, disc brakes, a freewheel device and overdrive. The larger-engined versions were also rather nifty and could whoosh their occupants along at a very unauntie-like pace! _x000B_Production continued through several model variations – but always with four or six-cylinder engines – until 1964. In the meantime, Rover experimented with gas turbine power units in P4 bodies, and created the famous JET 1. The Marauder sports car was also P4-based. _x000B_An amazing number of the sturdy P4s have survived to the present day and most are now enjoyed and cherished by enthusiasts.