Rover P6 History

Executive saloon · 1963–1977

History

Introduced in 1963 as the Rover 2000, the P6 was a technically advanced compact executive saloon built on a 'base unit' skeleton with bolt-on outer panels, de Dion rear suspension, and disc brakes all round. It won the inaugural European Car of the Year award for 1964.

Sold as the 2000, 2200 and — with the Buick-derived 3.5-litre Rover V8 — the 3500, the P6 ran until 1977, when it was replaced by the SD1. It was built by Rover and, after the 1967 takeover, by British Leyland.

Generations

Series I · 2000 (P6) (1963–1970)

Photo: “1964 Rover P6 2000.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The original Rover 2000 — European Car of the Year for 1964; the V8-engined 3500 joined in 1968.
- 1964
  Photo: “1964 Rover P6 2000.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1966
  Photo: “1966 Rover 2000 (32392500176).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1967
  Photo: “1967 Rover P6 2000TC Series I (17699125850).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1968
  Photo: “1968 Rover P6 2000 TC (16154841320).jpg” by Charlie from United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1969
  Photo: “1969 Rover 2000 (P6 Series I) TC sedan (26399449454).jpg” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1970
  Photo: “1970 Rover 2000 (34241712852).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Series II · Facelift P6 (1970–1977)

Photo: “1971 Rover 2000 TC (8536509948).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

Updated grille and interior; the 2200 four-cylinder and continued 3500 V8 ran until the SD1 replaced the line in 1977.
- 1971
  Photo: “1971 Rover 2000 TC (8536509948).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1972
  Photo: “1972 Rover P6 2000 TC (16232724778).jpg” by Charlie from United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1973
  Photo: “1973 Rover 2000 TC (34997124293).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1974
  Photo: “1974 Rover P6 2000 TC.jpg” by Adam Weston / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.