What is a P1?

[david]

Gordon Bashford, a senior design engineer at Rover both before and after WW2, when asked about the P1 and P2 models said that he couldn't remember hearing either of those terms used.

Back in the early 60s when I bought my first Rover, a P3, the earlier cars were known 1947 16 etc., not P2. It was only upon joining the RSR that I heard of these model designations.

Years ago I saw some blueprint drawings for the P3 chassis. In the title block was "P3". I wonder if the "3" stood for the third revision and maybe the "P" for "pattern"? Just a thought.

David.

[tholder]

I see this old saw never dies! The original intention of the Committee was to define 1934-1947 cars away from pre 1934 or P3 and as P3 was the definition for 1948-9 cars P2 was selected. THERE WAS NEVER AN INTENTION TO DEFINE A P1! Rover never used the description P1 or P2 for a saleable car. The changes in specification between models and model years were inconsistent with a particular point of change. It is much better to define by model and model year.
In later models given works project numbers noone seems to want to fill in missing numbers so why this compulsion to invent a P1?
The P2 workshop Manual covers all cars 1934 - 47!
Tony Holder