1960 Rover P4 100 Stance and exhaust update

[johndregg]

About a year ago my mate bought himself a nice Humber sceptre mk2 and so as not to be left out I found an old scimitar to have a play about with.

i got it running, put a new tank in it, did the brakes got it cooling but by summer I was still months away from actually driving it so I took to browsing FB marketplace as you do.
now I’ve always liked Rover P6, my dad had one in yellow with a V8 and a webasto sunroof. I went everywhere stood up like Rommel (it was the seventies). So while looking for a P6 I couldn’t help noticing that P4’s are pretty common and comparatively cheap. Plenty of runners around and lots of advice available from the Guild (although some guild members can be a bit conservative about modifications but most are great)
within a week of noticing P4’s I’d bought one sight unseen from a reputable second hand parts dealer (no really! 😂)

[johndregg]

So here it was on my driveway. It was as described. Not perfect but not rusty. Someone had obviously done some metalwork under the front arches on the bottom of the A pillars, but the chassis was solid so no welding needed.
I jumped in fired it up and tore off round the block like a 1950’s bank manager on his way to a Masonic meeting.








It was immediately obvious that the clutch was slipping but the six cylinder motor was smooth and had a nice rumble to it.
Having no wing mirrors or seatbelts was really difficult to get used to though. Brakes were ok nothing felt loose in the steering so that was good. I had been assured by the seller that it didn’t need any major mechanical work and I’d asked specifically if the clutch was ok and he’d told me it was, so I contacted him about the clutch slip and he agreed to send me a new clutch and pressure plate and refunded me a couple of hundred quid. I was still happy with it.
I started trawling the internet for modified P4’s






















It definitely needs lowering, and the wheels need banding.

[Sammo]

Always quite liked these.

When I was a kid there was a middle aged bloke that lived up the road from my Nan and had a tired looking one on his driveway. I remember standing there watching him work on it quite frequently and being very excited the day he got it running. I could’ve only been 9 or 10!

Definitely needs lowering and some banded steels.

[tubthumper]

I'd love to (gentle) daily an old Rover, but have missed the boat for a P5, not a huge fan of the P6 and often wonder if a P4 would be anywhere near suitable.

My commute is all A/B roads and only an 18 mile round trip.

Bookmarked for further inspiration 👍

[johndregg]

Thought I’d better get on with the clutch so I got it up on stands, got the front seat out and lifted the floor out. Just like Landrover you take the gearbox out through the passenger door.





































It’s a big old box with the overdrive but after a couple of weekends I had it sorted and it was running and driving properly, the overdrive even works every time you need it now, not sure how I fixed that but it’s a win.
While I was working on the clutch a set of P5 rostyle wheels came up for sale at an affordable price so I nabbed them.


This photo convinced me they would suit it.




Rostyles are 5J wide so the same as standard P4 wheels, so I sent them off to get banded, 6.5J front and 7.5J rear.

[redratbike]

take a look in the cafe racer thread nice concept in there

what happened to the scimitar ?

[pollystag]

If you changed or topped up the oil that could have fixed the o/drive as low oil can stop it working.
Steve.

[colnerov]

Jan 1, 2024 22:59:28 GMT pollystag said:

If you changed or topped up the oil that could have fixed the o/drive as low oil can stop it working.
Steve.

Hi, As could the bullet connection to the solenoid, just taking it apart and reconnecting would 'fix' it.

Colin

[johndregg]

Jan 1, 2024 20:20:09 GMT redratbike said:

take a look in the cafe racer thread nice concept in there

what happened to the scimitar ?

The Scimitar is on hold until I get this Rover how I want it, then I’ll have another go at it.

[redratbike]

Jan 2, 2024 18:41:28 GMT johndregg said:

Jan 1, 2024 20:20:09 GMT redratbike said:

take a look in the cafe racer thread nice concept in there

what happened to the scimitar ?

The Scimitar is on hold until I get this Rover how I want it, then I’ll have another go at it.

i was looking for one before now they seem to all have disappeared or going for mad money now

[johndregg]

Decided to try an electronic conversion as the copper core HT leads seem a bit curse word in the wet and damp.
Hopefully it proves reliable.
And the banded Rostyles are on their way back from the banders. I’m going to Brillo pad them up and clear coat them as they are as the rough and ready look will suit the rest of the car.

[ducklooker]

Very nice!

[rockhouse]

front seat looks comfy how wide is it
as i'm looking for a nice comfortable seat
p4 lovely old cars

[johndregg]

I think I’ve gone a bit too “Carlos Fandango” on the rear wheel width. There just isn’t enough clearance for this tyre size. I’m exploring rolling the arches and trying longer leaf spring shackles to gain clearance. But I fear I might have to go for a narrower tyre and stretch it onto the rim and hope that clears.
Any tips?

[vulgalour]

That tyre and wheel combo on that car looks pretty nice. A bit of a stretch of those rear arches to accomodate the tyres would be best if you can manage it, or a small lift to the rear ride height since a P4 does suit a bit of rake. It'd be a shame to go down a size on those tyres.

[maf260]

Wheels, tyres and track look fantastic; it's the bodywork which needs some massaging!

[zeberdee]

Roll the arches , will look spot on .

Where are you based , someone on here might be able to lend you a roller ?

👍

[kevins]

Could you modify and fit some of the front arch flares on the rear?

[Phil2600s]

I have to agree with others, that wheel/tyre combo looks amazing, leave them as is and make the bodywork fit!

[jiggawhat2k]

Love those wheels, this thing looks awesome great work!