Rover Sports Register Forum

Was the Viking head mascot an optional extra for the P2 ? I have been thinking about fitting one to my '47 tourer for a while. There does seem to be a few variations in the actual style of the casting, which one would be appropriate ?
Next of course is how to mount it - do you have to do the obvious and butcher an existing radiator cap ? or is there another way ?
Still cant make my mind up if they look right or slightly O.T.T on top of the rad - personal preference I suppose, but I still have to find one for sale !!
Any advice / opinions will be gratefully received.

Tyey were optional extras from 1927/ 28 and indeed were in several styles. all were fitted with a bolt or stud. The first was designeed to mount on the bar between the headlights and had a scooped section in the back that matched the bar. Various styles designed to fit on the radiator cap followed. It is possible to get plain, drilled Rad caps rather than having to butcher a good one.( Try Meteor Spares)

Hope this helps

Mike Maher

I don't put mine on the car, I feel it doesn't look right and takes the sleek Sport Saloon look away
It is recommended that if you do fit one then you should only use it whan parked up as they are only held onto the radiator with a few brass pins. they have been known to come away from the radiator and through windscreens

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I hadn't considered the problem of it coming through the windscreen ! definitely not to be recommended ! As to the detracting from the looks,yes I can see what you mean and this is probably why I have hesitated in fitting one before. I would appreciate it if someone could let me know the coorect one for a '47 car - just in case I change my mind !
Does anybody out there have one going spare ?
Cheers,David.

They often come up on ebay David, just need to keep a look out for one

This is the one I have

I got my Viking Head mascot from Mike Couldry, who sent it out to me in New Zealand. As it is fairly heavy metal and hollow it must have caused a great deal of puzzlement at NZ Customs when it passed through the X-Ray machines, as it had been delayed and opened! However it is now safely fitted to my P3.
The Rover P3 Parts Catalogue lists it under Optional Equipment, so it was available until 1949. I would think that a 1947 model P2 could have had one as an optional extra.
To save on cost and weight sending it from the UK,I managed to find a second hand radiator cap, and very carefully filed down the raised section, being especially careful not to mark the chrome part that showed when the mascot was fitted.
I kept my original radiator cap, and only have the Vikings Head on for shows etc. Having said that it is firmly fixed with a socking great bolt and nut through the centre of the radiator cap, and the clips that secure the radiator cap to the top of the radiator are secured with brass nuts, and the whole feels very firm when fitted.
As you say, it is all a matter personal preference as to whether you have one on your car. I think the cars look great either way!

I got Mike Couldry's cap conversion some years to fit a solid cast alloy one I picked up for a £5 at a Steam rally in 1997! the detail is not quite as good as Mike's or the originals. I do not think they were actually very popular as new Rover owners were discrete souls and were not into flash things like Leaping cats and Spirits!

I do think it sets them off though

I too am careful, where I leave the when fitted and usually put back the original cap so as not to draw attention to something missing.

I have heard loads of stories about mascots being knicked at shows and I have lost so many rubber jacking bungs from by P4 and P5's that I take off at most shows I attend.

Thanks again for the replies, there is one from the 20s on ebay at the moment, though somewhat expenive! - or is it,I don't know ? what is the going rate for a good one? Do the older ones fetch a premium ?
Don't wish to labour the point but which shape/model should I be looking for? If I do splash out then I don't want to end up with the wrong one . Nothing worse than someone with greater knowledge pointing out your mistake when it's too late !
Cheers, David.

The picture above gives the correct shape from early 1930's to 1947 - certain 1930's "sports" models had the Viking's wings flowing backwards to signify speed! These are rare and expensive

Here is another version of the Viking mascot which was on a 1936 Rover 10hp