The Rover Car Company Limited of Solihull, Warwickshire has a proud history dating back to the early days of motoring in the United Kingdom. Founded by James and John Starley the firm started out under the name of "Rover Cycle Company" making bicycles and agricultural machinery. They constructed their first vehicle, a motorised tricycle in 1888, the first four wheeled car was constructed in 1904, this was a two seater with a 1327 c.c. single cylinder water cooled engine. The name was changed to the Rover Car Company in 1906 and a further two models were added to the range, a 16/20 HP and a 10/12 HP.

Many fine models were built by the firm during the inter-war years and the later 1930`s offerings carried on after hostilities ended in 1945. In 1948 the Company introduced the famous Land Rover with four wheel drive, many series one, two and two A models are still in use and giving excellent service. Your editors 2A is as reliable today as it was when it left the production line in 1970.

The subject of this article, the "Three Thousand Five" was a logical progression from the very successful Rover 2000 but bringing to it the performance and power that only a V8 can provide and all without appreciable increase of weight or fore and aft distribution. The engines origins are from the other side of the Atlantic and the Buick line of General Motors. It is an absolutely excellent unit being an all aluminium o.h.v. having a bore of 3.5 inches and stroke of 2.8 inches, giving a capacity of 215 cubic inches. The aluminium alloy block with inserted iron liners made a lightweight unit. The cylinder heads were also made of aluminium, likewise the inlet manifold which carried two SU carburettors. Self adjusting hydraulic tappets made quiet trouble free running for thousands of miles. Many of these Rover engines have be fitted to Triumph Stags, the Triumph unit not being known for its reliability!

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a Borg Warner type 35 automatic gear-box. The driver can select "D" for automatic changes or if wished the selector lever can be moved between 1,2 and D for manual selection of the gears. A manual gear-box was not available until the 3500S was introduced in late 1971, some three and one half years after the automatic counterpart.

Many drivers consider that the car was completely transformed by the availability of the 4 speed all synchromesh box, giving it a new sporting character. From a standing start the manual will rocket away to reach 60 m.p.h. in a fraction over 9 seconds and the magic 100 in a little under 30 seconds. The engine is extremely flexible allowing the car to pull away strongly from only 10 m.p.h. in top gear.

The vehicle interior was sumptuously trimmed in quality leather hide, colours being Mulberry, Saddle Tan, Ebony or Buckskin, depending on exterior colour. The front seats having armrests adjustable for height mounted in the doors and the drivers seat is fitted with a centre armrest adjustable for rake. The front seats in addition to fore and aft movement can also be adjusted for height. The rear seat also has a central armrest. The fascia is beautifully finished in African Walnut as also are the door garnishings. Heavy pile carpet with felt underlay to the floors.

In its day the car was offered with a high specification although optional extras were available such as floor mats, fog lamps, headrests to front seats and also the rear seats, heated rear window, laminated windshield, wing mirrors, radio, roof rack, spot lamp, revolution counter, towing attachment. Many of these items are now of course to be found as standard items on new cars.

The body with the exception of the bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk) lid is of welded construction. The two latter items being of aluminium alloy. The construction was unusual in that it made use of a base unit carrying all the mechanical parts and provided a chassis and body skeleton to which all the skin panels were applied as separate painted units. The base unit was jig drilled and thus all separate parts are directly interchangeable in the event of damage. All the four doors were fitted with anti-burst locks.

The front suspension was unusual in that transverse lower wishbones allied to longitudinal upper links were employed. The latter actuate coil type springs which abut against the rigid bulkhead portion of the base unit. Telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar completed the system.

The overall length of the 3500 is 179.75 inches and overall width of 66 inches. Overall weight with 5 gallons of petrol (6 gallons U.S.) came in at 2,862 lbs. Price new in October 1969 was £1,895 including purchase tax.

The 3500S (manual change) could have been yours, new from the showroom in 1972 for just £2,207.

Many of these cars are still seen in our roads in daily use and offer practical transport. They are of course tax exempt if first registered prior to 1973.

 

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