Founded in 1904 and shuttered in 2005, throughout its 101-year history the Rover car company built a huge array of vehicles – and all of them are eligible for membership of the Rover Sports Register. It’s a group that bills itself as ‘The only club for all Rovers’ because whether your garage houses something from the Edwardian era or a 21st-century 75, it’s welcome. Within the club’s ranks there are even Rover pushbikes from the turn of the last century, so if you’re a fan of the marque this is the club for you.
Typical events
The Rover Sports Register (RSR) is active when it comes to events, because it organises its own fixtures, plus it also supports an array of other clubs when they put something on. The RSR’s flagship event is its National Rally, which each year visits a different part of the country. As a member of the Joint Rover Clubs it also helps to organise Roverfest, the Northamptonshire gathering of classic Rovers, but that’s had to be put off this year will return in August 2022.
What RSR members can look forward to in 2021 is the Northern Rally in September, while the RSR will also have a presence at days or weekends put on by the Rover P5 Club as well as the Rover P4 Drivers’ Guild. With the RSR also at the Quainton All Rover Rally in August, the Beaulieu Autojumble in September and the NEC classic car show in November, and a few other smaller shows, the club is certainly making the most of the 2021 season – especially when you also take into account the activities of the 18 local groups spread across the UK.
Key initiatives
Security is becoming a real issue for many classic car owners, which is why the latest initiative from the Rover Sports Register is a tracking app, which is an unusual (but not unprecedented) offering among classic car clubs. Through the app you can keep track of the location of as many vehicles as you like, and the transmitters can be fitted on a DIY basis; they can be battery-operated or wired into a car’s 12-volt electrics.
As with most clubs, sharing knowledge is one of the cornerstones of the RSR, which is why it has a forum that can be accessed by members and non-members alike, and a members-only facility on its website, where paid-up supporters can manage their details and access information from the club’s archive.
Other benefits
The Rover Sports Register prides itself on being able to help any Rover owner, whatever they drive. To that end the group can provide technical expertise for all models, with comprehensive spares coverage for the earlier models and access to specialists for the later cars. Need a workshop manual for a 1930s P2 or a P3 from the late 1940s? No problem; the club has come up with its own manual, which members can buy for just £31 (P2) or £19 (P3).
The club also keeps a store of mechanical and body parts for members’ projects. Many of these parts are for the P2 and P3 as those models are not so well served by specialists, but there are bits for the post-war models too, including the P4, P5 and P6.
Need to know: Rover Sports Register
Founded: 1953
Current membership: 1000
Membership fees: £32 (UK), £44 (Europe), £40/£50 (outside Europe)
Regional groups: 18 across the UK
Publications: Bi-monthly magazine, Freewheel
Club website: thersr.co.uk
Twitter: RoverSportsRegister Instagram: Rover_Sports_Register
Facebook: RSRCommunity Youtube: RoverSportsRegister
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Have you rear wing panel between boot lid and rear wings 1949 p2 i have just bought one unfortunately these parts are rusty and have body filler not my idea of restoration
Does anyone in the club do valuations,Ihave a P4 special which I cannot drive due to spinal injury,and now wish to sell,any help would be welcome.
Yours
Hi John
Have you checked the Hagerty Price Guide? If not, here’s a link to the valuation tool that will take you to all Rovers, then you can select the P4 and select the year of your car. The Hagerty Price guide tracks hundreds of individual models, across auctions and dealer sales, and gives an accurate reflection of current model value, according to condition.
https://www.hagerty.co.uk/valuation/tool/?mk=Rover
James Mills, Editor
hi I would like to join The R.S.R. if I may I have a 1939 p2 that needs help and a bit more restoration .
Hello Ray, we recommend you get in touch with the Rover Sports Register directly via the links provided.
Hello, I have a 1936 Rover P1 Twelve Sports Saloon, which sits in my garage at the moment, not being used because the wrong fuel was put in her. Some advice would be grateful or even a buyer would be welcome . She is in beautiful condition and drives perfect with only 3 previous owners. regards Michael
I think I may have some interior seating
Need some advice if it is.
Found in a loft after death and would like to find someone who is restoring one
P3 I think