P6 3500 S

A New High Performance Manual 3500 S

A new sporty version of the highly successful V8 engined Rover 3500 is announced today. The latest addition to the famous Rover range is fitted with 4 speed manual transmission giving considerably increased performance and a higher top speed, while offering a marked saving in price compared to the automatic model. Its appearance is enhanced by a vinyl covered roof and stainless steel spoked wheel trims, while internally the seats have been redesigned and finished in ventilated box pleated Ambla.

This new addition to the Rover range is one of the fastest and safest cars in its class, yet lacks none of the traditional Rover standards of comfort and finish.
The new manual gearbox has been developed to meet public demand, particularly in export markets, for manual transmission on the 3500. The gearbox is based on the well proven Rover 2000 unit although lubrication and cooling have been improved and various components have been strengthened or modified to cope with the increased torque and power of the V8 engine compared with the smaller 2000 engine. Gear selection has also been changed to give an easier and more positive action.

The new car, to be known as the ROVER 3500S, had his European debut at the Paris Motor Show and its United Kingdom debut at the London Motor Show at Earls Court in 1971.
Since its introduction is 1968, the automatic transmission Rover 3500 has proved a tremendous success in home and overseas markets and so far more than 39,000 have been sold, of which over 30% have gone to export.
The 35005 has much the same specification as the 3500 automatic, including a number of season changes which have been made to that particular vehicle.

The combination of the new manual gearbox with 3.5 litres of smooth V8 power provides acceleration and a top speed to match any car in the same class.
The 3500S will accelerate through the gears from 0-30 mph in 2.7 seconds and to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph.
It will cover 4 mile from a standing start in just 17 seconds.

Despite the car having high gear ratios allowing effortless cruising speeds of 100 mph plus, it will still pull away smoothly from 5 mph and accelerate from 50 mph to 70 mph in 8.2 seconds in top gear. These performance figures are based on UK specification cars.
The car can bowl along in top gear in a docile, even lazy manner, or, when the mood takes one the gearbox may be put to full use and it can be driven hard and fast with the reassuring knowledge that there are years of Rover expertise in engineering and safety built into every inch of it.

Optional extras for the new model include power assisted steering and air conditioning.
The 3500S will sell at Ł1976.88 (UK price including purchase tax - Ł81 cheaper than the automatic version.

The New Gearbox

The new manual gearbox is basically similar to the latest Rover 2000 SC and TC gearbox. However, a considerable development and test programme has been carried out over the last two to three years to produce a box that will reliably and silently transmit the torque and power of the V8 engine.

The considerable increase in torque and power of the 3.5 litre V8 over the 2 litre 4 cylinder engine generates much more heat in the gearbox. This is compensated for in two ways. Firstly an oil pump has been fitted to the back of the layshaft witch gives positive lubrication to the mainshaft, gears and bearings. Secondly, the gearbox oil capacity has been increased by about two pints by enlarging the case, which has also been given fins for more efficient heat dissipation.

The layshaft and mainshaft gears are now shot peened to maintain a high fatigue life under the heavier loads transmitted by the gears. For the same reason the layshaft bearings have been changed from needle roller and ball bearings to two tapered roller bearings. These give both better location of the shaft and a larger bearing area.
The whole gearbox casing has been considerably strengthened to give extra support to the main and layshafts.

Another important change is made in common with the Rover 2000 SC and TC gearbox. The gear lever which was mounted on the transmission tunnel is now supported by an extension attached directly to the gearbox cover. This eliminates any relative movement between the gearbox and lever and provides a more positive and generally improved gear change.

Other Changes

Mechanical

Clutch
A new 9.5" (240 mm) diaphragm spring clutch hydrostatically operated is fitted together with a matching flywheel.

Exhaust
The exhaust system has been modified to clear the new bellhousing and gearbox and the opportunity was taken to give a better gas flow with larger diameter pipes. The two down pipes now join at the rear of the gearbox and result in much lower back pressure and a slight increase in power output.

Carburettors
The more modern design SU HIF 6 (Horizontal Integral Float-Chamber carburettors are now fitted, These have an annular float chamber surrounding the Jet assembly which gives a constant fuel level at the jet and consequently maintains the correct fuel/air mixture under conditions of heavy braking, acceleration and cornering, so giving optimum performance at all times. These carburettors also considerably improve the cold starting qualities of the engine, and tests have shown that a standard engine can be started at -20°C. Because of the integral construction and better heat dissipation they are also less susceptible to fuel vaporisation in very hot climates.

Exterior & Trim
Externally the car can be identified by 3500S plaques on the boot lid and front wings and vinyl covered roof in either black or brown finish with matching sill panels, depending on the body colour. A new colour, Monza Red, is introduced to the range and replaces the present Brigade Red, Stainless steel spoked wheel trims with a "brushed" rather than bright finish will be standard fitment. When the car has the power steering option a smaller, 1.6 inch (406 mm) stainless steel spoked steering wheel with a leather rim is fitted.

Redesigned Seats
In line with the more sporty image of the car, the seats have been redesigned with stylish, ventilated box pleated cushions and squabs which give improved lateral support. An Ambla finish is used which is the most suitable material for this particular design.

Air Conditioning
Air conditioning together with power steering is now available as a combined optional extra for both versions of the 3500. Should the car have been parked in the sun at an ambient temperature of 90° it is capable of reducing the air temperature inside the car from 140°F to 90°F in only 6.5 minutes, with capacity for a considerable reduction in temperature beyond this point. The system not only supplies air for cooling or heating but initially cools and dehumidifies all air before reheating it if required. This gives considerable benefit both in winter, by supplying warm DRY air, which significantly reduces condensation, and in summer by supplying DRY cool air which gives more effective cooling.

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