Went to pick up my P6 today.

It was in Stoke, bought unseen by me before I buggered off to Czech,
MOTless but taxed until the end of next March - the joys of tax
exemption and my first ownership experience of it. Was a hopeful buy but
after my previous experiences with P6Bs I wasn't hoping for miracles.
Thought I was quite likely buying a load of scrap metal with a few
valuable bits and a 10.5:1 Rover V8. Figured it'd probably need at least
sills and rear calipers.

So we trundled down to Stoke to collect it. Bloke drives it out of the
garage (two good signs), hands me a huge folder full of service history
dating back to the mid 70s and I start prodding and poking the Rover
looking for impending MOT faults. I'd have to book it in for an MOT in
order to drive the thing home. On a hot day. In a P6B, a car notorious
for fuel vapourisation issues, on unleaded fuel which seems worse than
the old 5 star for boiling.

After 10 minutes with it idling happily away I still haven't found
anything particularly shady other than the four wings all having a few
very crusty bits. The base unit appears solid as anything, and the MOTs
show it doing an average of 700 miles a year since '93. Tyres were
replaced a couple of years ago and have done around 2000 miles, a nice
bonus. Even the handbrake appears to work. All the electrics work and
the oil pressure is a reasonably healthy 30 psi @ idle. Signs of tappet
noise, so I'll give it a good flush and change the oil and filter for
the stuff I bought for the Rangie. That should help.

So I pay the man and head off to the MOT station, crossing my fingers
and putting the RAC on speed-dial. First impressions are that it doesn't
feel too bad, steering is a bit wandery and the speedo has a 10 mph
wobble zone that doesn't stop, someone's probably kinked the cable.
Autobox is a bit thumpy at first, but the temp gauge is happily sitting
in the lower end of the green bit, oil pressure is 45 psi on the move
and it feels ok. Pinks if you properly nail it, but it will.. they do
that unless you back the timing right off.

It's made it through Stoke's infernal traffic, made it along the A500
and onto the M6. It's almost inspiring a bit of confidence now, cruising
along at 55 mph / 2500 rpm, mirrors are useless, but the seat is comfy
and it's not made any dodgy noises. Seems to be tracking fine, still a
couple of inches at the wheel before much happens, but the gauges are
all reading happy readings and the ventilation system works. The little
vent between the steering column and the speedo is great. Lets up the
speed a bit.. yup, it's still happy at a speedo reading of somewhere
around 70, 3000 rpm. I'm enjoying this.

Get to the end of the M62 and into Liverpool, first set of lights the
oil pressure gauge starts to flicker at idle. Oh ********. Panic for a
sec, listen to the engine, still sweet, check the temp gauge, still
sweet, oil pressure gauge.. 25 psi, all isn't bad. I'll change the oil
anyway. To the MOT station. Fingers crossed. Listening for any creaks
and rattles, changes in engine sounds.. I hate going for MOTs in unknown
cars.

Get to the MOT station, where all the mechanics down tools and come and
have a look. The boss wanders out of his office to inspect it. They seem
to like it. The apprentice mechanics want to know what the hell it is,
but they know it sounds nice. They're pointing at the rusty bits on the
wings which is somewhat irritating. They shut up when it's pointed out
that the thing is nearly 37 years old.

I then have a tense 40 minute wait while the MOT tester does his thing.
It's the first time he's clicked the "Before 1975" button on his gas
analyser, that amuses him. I wander about, drinking coffee and chatting
to the mechanics in the main workshop while the tester does his thing.

The time arrives. Tester wanders into his office and enters all the
data. 5 minutes later he hands me a nice green 12 month MOT and offers
to buy the car in a couple of weeks if he can get the money together
without his wife freaking out.

It's been a good day.


--
Pete M - OMF#9

Rover P6 3500 Auto
Range Rover V8 Turbo (sold)
Volvo 850 T5 CD Estate
Mk1 Golf GTi 1.8 (For Sale)


"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of
people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move."