1906 Rover 6hp Model R |

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1906 Rover 6hp Model R

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Mileage0 miles on the clock (no clock!)
TransmissionManual
Engine6hp
LocationCambridge

Market Auction

The seller has supplied the images and written the description - we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks - learn more

Market Auction

The seller has supplied the images and written the description - we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks - learn more

AUCTION CLOSED

1906 Rover 6hp Model R

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Introduction

A quintessential pre-war classic with keen reserve, the Rover 6hp offers a rare chance to own a landmark of British motoring. Prized for its age, elegant design, mechanical simplicity, and historic role in the golden era of pre-war cars.

This highly original 1906 Rover 6hp Model R is offered to market following 40 years in single ownership, during which time it has remained in substantially unaltered condition. Presented as an unmolested and remarkably complete example, it is ideally suited to prestigious Veteran Car Club events, including the popular ‘Creepy Crawly’ and the world-renowned London to Brighton Classic Car Run.

In 2019, the Veteran Car Club inspected the car and confirmed that it “appears to be an original and complete entity,” reinforcing its authenticity and provenance. Designed by Edmund Lewis—formerly of Daimler—the Rover 6hp was promoted as the “Gentleman’s Light Tourer,” a refined evolution of the earlier 8hp model. Today, a notable surviving example resides in the British Motor Museum.

This particular car has been cherished for over four decades by a dedicated collector of British motoring heritage. Carefully preserved in its authentic form, it remains true to its only known restoration, carried out in the United States during the 1970s. Significantly, the sale also includes its cherished registration number, further enhancing its appeal.

A rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of early British automotive history, eligible for the most celebrated veteran motoring events worldwide. Watch the video the video of Peter driving this vintage car in June 2025!

This listing was written from information supplied by XXXXX after meeting XXXXX the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Market Auction

Jack, the seller, has created this listing themselves using our free Market Auction tool. Unlike our Curated Auctions, we haven’t photographed the car or written the listing, however we have completed 3 important security checks for your peace of mind.

V5C Checked

Jack provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.

ID Checked

Jack provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.

History Checked

History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.

V5C Checked

Josh provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.

ID Checked

Josh provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.

History Checked

History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

This 1906 Rover in its original green livery is a classic example of an Edwardian light car, modest in scale but very elegant for its time. Gorgeous brass fittings provide gleaming contrast

Wheels and Tyres

The tall thin wheels give the car a carriage-like silhouette. The wooden artillery wheels are painted in light green as a contrast to the darker green body work. Shod with narrow profile pneumatic tyres, around 27 inches tall.

Wooden wheels were first exhibited at a show in November 1905, becoming an option for the 1906 cars. This particular detail was picked up on the Veteran Car club inspection in 2019, confirming its originality and authenticity.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior of the 1906 Rover and a closer look at the wheels and tyres to make your own assessment of their condition.

Bodywork

Compact and narrow, with a high stance typical of early cars.

Built on a steel-reinforced wooden chassis, with simple panelling and flowing curved fenders over each wheel. This rare pre-war Rover has been kept as original as possible and is therefore showing rust spots on all exposed areas as to be expected for a car that is 119 years old, but this does not detract from its beauty and character of the car.

The horn requires a new rubber ‘honk’.

Headlamps, horn, radiator cap, and hub caps are all polished brass - giving the Rover a distinctly Edwardian jewel-like sparkle against the deep green body. With a tall, upright, honeycomb radiator at the front, flanked by the large brass side lamps both in acetylene and oil. As well as a beautiful large monocle lamp with a bullseye glass lens that sits centrally on the bonnet specific to vintage car models.

Paint

This car has green paint: we believe this was redone in the original colour during the 1970s restoration in the United States. It has a hand-brushed finish, just as the original surviving models sport.

The car has contrasting trim, black wings (mudguards), chassis members, and wheel spokes. This model has gold coach-lines painted along the body edges, a fashionable Edwardian detail.

The wooden artillery wheels, are painted in a lighter green than the bodywork and the wrought iron foot-step is also in a light green to pick out this beautiful detail.

Please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what is on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

This two-seater open tourer, sometimes described as a “runabout”, has no roof. Weather protection was provided on some of these models, but this one was open topped. This car was also pre-windscreens being not long after the horse and cart.

At the rear of the car is a luggage platform sporting a sturdy wicker basket with leather straps and brass hinges. It attaches to the back of the vehicle where a nonslip mat has been added. Please see the photos detailing this.

We have taken you around the car in greater detail in our videos. Please take the time to look over these and see how the exterior looks from different perspectives.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior of the 1906 Rover 6hp Tourer is extremely simple by modern standards, but very charming. It reflects the early stage of automobile design, when cars were still evolving from horse-drawn carriages.

Seats and Carpets

There is an upright leather bench for driver and passenger, in dark brown leather, gleaming and in good condition. The rear of the body tapers slightly behind the seats, with a small luggage platform and wicker basket.

The flooring contains rubber matting for grip: under this is a black painted wooden floor, clean, with no damage apart from a little scuffed paint.

Dashboard

An open wooden dash panel with minimal instruments is as original as can be. The early cars had a flat dashboard, a feature distinctive to this model (later models were curved).

It has brass fittings.

A wind-up clock relates to the ‘gentleman’s’ charm of the car.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

This car features a large four-spoke steering wheel, though the central badge missing.

It uses a rack-and-pinion steering system, and the steering column is equipped with hand controls, including a throttle and ignition advance / retard lever.

We have captured photos for you to review and appreciate the condition of the interior relative to its great age.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The 1906 Rover 6hp springs to life with a crank handle at the front delivering a wonderfully authentic motoring experience from a bygone age.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine is 6hp, 95mm bore x 110mm stroke. Plain bearings, solid crankshaft. Fixed cams operating both inlet and exhaust, and powered by an automatic carburetter.

Gears are 3 speeds. According accompanying literature - Forward: 8, 16, and 24 mph. Reverse: 8 mph.

Chassis frame no: 416. Engine no: 416.

Suspension and Brakes

The car has a footbrake with ratchet catch. The right pedal acts on back wheel drums. The left pedal acts on drum fixed to the propeller shaft.

The 1906 Rover 6hp uses a straight forward, traditional suspension set-up; both the front and rear axles are suspended using semi-elliptic springs.

The chassis is a conventional wooden frame re-enforced with sheet metal. Please view the photographs supplied showing the underneath of the car.

For further information please refer to the photographed historical manual and paperwork about the car ‘off the production line’

The Drive

The car is started by a crank handle at the front of the vehicle giving a true feeling of motoring from a bygone era. Being not long after the horse and cart, this 119 year old gem takes some unique driving skills. But once mastered takes you back to a golden era of motoring.

The little ‘chug’ sound the engine makes definitely has charm and makes you want to dress up in Edwardian costume when in the car. You’re sat high up in the car, giving you an aristocratic ‘air’ when on the roads.

There is a video provided of the car being driven in June 2025 where you can hear the distinctive sound in action.

Electrics and Other

Being a vintage car, the electrics are minimal!

The number plate that comes with this vehicle was bought in 2019 and is in itself, a collector’s item. It has received a recent valuation of £2000. This is a hand painted plate.

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History and Paperwork

Bought for 100 Guineas in 1906, this model only remained in production until 1912. It is believed, referring to the historic paperwork accompanying the vehicle, that every original part was made at the Rover Works in Coventry.

Chassis frame no: 416. Engine no: 416. We have very little history of the vehicle in its early years, but it spent sometime in the United States and we believe additional brass lamps (there are 6) would have been added there as well as the leather seat refurbishment. The only evidence of this period is a Certificate of Title where the vehicle was purchased in 1976 in Hopkinton Massachusetts and sold in 1979, Fitchburg Massachusetts.

Peter then bought the vehicle, from a show room in Fulham, London SW6 in 1981 and has preserved and loved it ever since as part of this collection of vintage cars.

The previous registration of AGJ 785W was the vehicle registration from when it was purchased by Peter in 1981

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From Trade Classics:
This is a Market Auction listing, meaning we have not visited and photographed the car - instead the seller has supplied the images and written the description. However we’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID that matches the V5, and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPi that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. It showed a flag for finance, however it is only flagged against the VIN and as it is only a 3-digit VIN so it looks like it is against something else as you can see on the third page of the HPi attached in the history gallery we have sent a note to HPi company.

Viewings are welcomed, so please get in touch with us via the 'contact us' page - we just need to speak to you first on the phone, have you register on the site, and also send in valid photo ID before confirming a suitable time to visit.

Like all our auctions, if there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - the Buyer's Premium is not refundable in any instance, just like a traditional auction house.

Key Details

Model1906 Rover 6hp R
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date31-12-1906
CC6hp
Mileage0 miles on the clock (no clock!)
ColourGreen
Interior ColourRed
Chassis #416
Engine #416
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
Former Keepers3
VisitedNo - Seller created listing.
Sale TypePrivate
Owned44
Vehicle RegistrationBF 8953
Driver’s SideRHD
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeOpen Two Seater (OTS)
Auction ID1864

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Location

Cambridge

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Auction Closed

Let us know if you're interested

This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information or let us know if you want to be notified when a similar car comes to market.

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Ask Questions

Seller : RoverSeller

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

5 Comments

ericvr

9 months ago

You mention the London Brighton run. But as a 1906 car it is not eligible. Can you clarify if it is accepted as a 1905 model?

RoverSeller

Seller

ericvr

9 months ago

Hi, as you have specifically asked this question we have checked directly with the London to Brighton Rally people and they have confirmed that as the car was NOT manufactured and on the road by Dec 1904 it is not eligible for this particular London to Brighton event (although eligible for other rallies). We were previously told by a prewar car specialist that it was, and as we’re not experts we took their word for it. We apologise for this error on our marketing and will be amending this asap.

Philthepot

RoverSeller

9 months ago

I note from the introduction to the listing that you have not yet amended it, six days later.

ColinB

Admin

Philthepot

9 months ago

Hi Phil,

Thank you for your comment – we removed any reference to the Brighton Veteran Run immediately (and we apologise for the error) – instead referring to the Classic Run, for which it is eligible.

Thanks,
Colin,

PBW

ColinB

9 months ago

Thank you for clarifying

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Vehicle Location

Cambridge

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