Cult 1:18 1962-1964 Rover 110 P4 diecast model car review

The P4 series of mid-size, luxury saloon cars was produced by the Rover Company from 1949 right through to 1964, overlapping with the P5, and only being withdrawn with the announcement of the Rover 2000 series.

The body style was not known initially as the P4; that came in to common parlance only after the arrival of the P5. The cars were more commonly designated with regard to their engine size and specification. There was the Rover 75. Then a 60 and a 90. Later model designations were the 95, the 100 and the 110.

In the 1950s, the P4 became very much associated with the British establishment. A P4 was considered 'de rigeur' by successful bank managers. They became so entrenched in our culture that they were known as the 'Auntie' Rovers, although they were popular with celebrities too. Grace Kelly drove one. A P4 was also the first car owned by King Hussein of Jordan. Some road testers at the time considered the P4 to be the best made car this side of a Rolls-Royce; and indeed the car was often dubbed the poor man's Roller!

The cars had a separate chassis, with independent, coil spring, suspension at the front, and a live axle with leaf springs at the rear. Disc brakes replaced drum brakes at the front in October 1959.

The body shells were made by the Pressed Steel Company, and featured aluminium doors, boot lid and bonnet, but these were easily dented so, by the time the 110 came onto the scene, these had been replaced by steel ones. Interestingly, the P4 was one of the very last British cars to use rear, suicide doors; until of course they were re-introduced on modern Rolls-Royces.

The last cars in the P4 series were the 95 and the 110. The 95 was essentially a re-geared 100, engineered to deliver greater fuel economy. The 110 was basically the 100 with a more powerful engine. With the availability of higher octane fuels, the 110 had a higher compression ratio of 8.8:1, that enabled it to deliver 123hp. It allowed the car to reach 100 mph, cruising past the 60 mph mark in a whisker under 16 seconds.

The 110 was produced from 1962 to 1964, and during this period some 1,534 cars were built.

Cult seems to have made slightly unfashionable, mid-century British classics its thing, and although their replicas are not inexpensive they are well detailed, and impressively faithful to the original vehicles. But here's the thing. Once Cult's rather tiny production of models sells out, you can be fairly sure that nobody else is going to tackle many of its subjects. One day, we suspect, some of their models are going to become very highly sought after.

Click Cult 1:18 1962-1964 Rover 110 P4 to order.