Rover

Unveiled in October 1963, the Rover P6 was a completely new design that redefined Rover’s image and became the first winner of the European Car of the Year award. Marketed initially as the Rover 2000, it was aimed at professional buyers seeking a modern executive saloon with advanced engineering. The P6 featured unitary construction with bolt-on body panels, four-wheel disc brakes, De Dion rear suspension and an overhead-cam 2.0-litre engine designed for smooth high-speed cruising. In 1966, the more powerful twin-carburettor 2000 TC joined the range, while 1968 saw the arrival of the acclaimed 3.5-litre V8-powered 3500.

The updated Rover P6 Series II, officially named the Mark II, arrived in 1970 with a refreshed appearance, including a new front air intake, revised bonnet and redesigned rear lights. Higher-specification models received a modernised dashboard with round instruments, while the proven engineering remained largely unchanged. In 1973, the 2.0-litre engine was enlarged to 2.2 litres, creating the 2200 SC and TC with improved torque and drivability. Despite its engineering excellence, the P6's final years were overshadowed by British Leyland’s well-publicised quality-control problems before production ended in 1977.