Rover 14 body construction

[Bushy]

Good evening all,

I'm a new member here, considering the purchase of a prewar Rover 14 P2 sports saloon. I've received some photographs of the car I was considering, and wondered whether you might be able to give me some advice.

The plywood front footwell floors are rotten, having got wet. Also rotten are the trim pieces, which look like plywood, that are in the vicinity of the footwell vents.

I am relatively comfortable with dealing with plywood, but I know very little about the construction of these cars, so wondered whether I was likely to run into rotten ash frames, or what other nasties might be lurking around the footwell/door pillar area.

Many thanks.

[47p2]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm unsure what exact wood is on the prewar cars but the post war cars have wooden floors which when renewed are done with ¾” marine plywood, the trim pieces will be on a fibre board similar to hardboard which can be bent into shape by soaking in water then shaped as required. The sunroof has a timber frame and the rear window between the head cloth and metalwork also has a timber frame.


Rear window timber

window_tinber.jpg (95.96 KiB) Viewed 3531 times

[SHyslop]

If it's a 1938 car (just guessing....) it is worth looking at the channel which runs round the edge of the boot aperture to see it is at least reasonably sound. If it is indeed the car I think it might be, the outer footwell metalwork looks potentially sound, down to the wings and running boards, and that would be a good start as this can be an awkward place to work with.
I have always reckoned the 1901cc 14 is a nice car to have, I've had four of them and each one has gone really well. If you do buy it, you may think "I will improve the wooden bits by making them thicker" but this can be a mistake as the thinness of the wood plus the thinness of some of the material they are covered with is what lets the doors shut properly and various bits fit together well. Modern trim materials can be considerably thicker than the original pre war materials and it's just something to bear in mind.

The other place to look at is to take out the rear seat base, take out the metal cover (two carriage locks) and see what the metalwork down the sides of the inside arches is like.

[Bushy]

Many thanks to you both for your comments.

Almost uncannily, , it is a 1938 car. Further deductions as to the car's identity are probably accurate enough, given the number of 1938 14 sports saloons advertised.

If I get as far as a viewing, I'll bear your advice in mind, I suspect I will be beaten to it.

There was mention of some perforation on the flange where the running board meets the body.

It is hidden nasties that I want to avoid, as I haven't the time or space for a major restoration.

I'm looking for something a bit more family friendly than my current Austin Seven special.

Thanks again.