Rover Cars and Motorcycles

Thanks Osmiroid I believe there were eighty motorcycle manufacturers in Coventry at one time.

Eighty! A large amount! I know a lot of carmakers used to, e.g. Riley:

For the last 58 years my family have owned a 1936 'P1' Rover 12 Speed 'Tourer' Registration TL6200 built in Coventry by Rover cars as an entry for the 1937 RAC Rally. It appears to be the very last 12 soft-top built in Coventry and was, we believe, specially prepared by Rover with a number of non-standard features. The car was then campaigned from 1937 by a Sleaford Rover Dealer & first owner; William 'Billy' Maidens, who entered and drove the car in the RAC, Scottish & Welsh Rallies as well as the 1938 Brooklands JCC Speed Trials. Confirmed by photographs on the Motoring Picture Library website. The vehicle is currently undergoing a complete restoration which should see it on the road and at shows later this year. What I am seeking is any information that may exist about this car particularly with regard to a photograph I have found displayed (via the attached URL) on a 'German Friends of Rover' website. The image shows a number of official looking chaps possibly handing over the car in Coventry and who may have worked at Rover. Does anyone recognise any faces as Rover notables? www.rover-freunde.de/rffzh660dt.html The driver has been identified as 'Billy' Maidens. I would appreciate any information.

Hi Chris - the translation from that photo is Here it is not known what reputable men participate here with its Sports Tourer at a rally - so not sure if its actually in Coventry.

There are a few more pictures with captions here.

Heads up for Rover Fest 2017 this coming weekend at Wroxall Abbey Estate - website A Joint Rover Clubs major event in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the launch of the iconic V8 engine.This unique event will be run over 3 days (Friday 11th - Sunday 13th August 2017) and will be based around Wroxall Abbey, Warwickshire within close proximity to the original Rover manufacturing plants of Coventry and Solihull, culminating in an all Rover Rally on Sunday 13th in the grounds of Wroxall Abbey.

Just one of my photos from Roverfest 2017 at Wroxall Abbey - delightful to see such wonderful cars. This is 1938 Rover 20 - click on the image to see my full gallery of images** (** click the thumbnails or "slideshow")

There is an interesting video on YouTube of the manufacturing of the Rover Imperial motor cycle together with shots of the testing of the finished machines, must be local but I could not place location. Early Motorcycle Manufacture - The Rover Imperial (silent movie) Edited by Midland Red, 9th Apr 2019 7:47 am (Link clarified)

Locations appear to be identified within the comments (Stoneleigh, Kenilworth Ford, etc)

Looking at the film again I noticed the reg. on the bikes was DUR, don't recognize that as a Coventry reg. As MR states it is Stoneleigh location for testing but look at the dust kicked up from the bikes wheels, the poor lady cyclist was covered in it. The roads were presumably not metalled.

UR registrations were Luton

For those interested, there is a short film about the Rover company on Talking Pictures on 7th Aug at 11.55.

This video of Rover history meanders somewhat but may be of interest from the early days.

Every now and again a little gem of a postcard becomes available, and this is one of them, showing a Rover car outside "Hazel Beech" house in Eaton Road, near the station.... What's remarkable about this postcard is the superb quality of the photo, enabling me to scan at 1,200 DPI and get this close-up.... Can anyone tell us about the registration DU2780 ?

Isn't old DU, Warwick? No, it's Coventry. DU Coventry PS, what has he got in his boot, trunk? Arr. It's part of the forward canopy.