The P5 model of 1958 was a major step ahead for Rover, a large luxury saloon with a 3-litre version of Rover's six-cylinder engine carried forward from the Rover P4. It was the first Rover car with unitary bodywork, styled by David Bache. This model combined elegance with dignity, and had a traditionally well-appointed interior. Later developments of the P5 included the more rakish coupe with a lowered roof line, and the 3.5 litre V8 model in 1967 which for the first time used the all-aluminium V8 engine, the design of which was purchased from Buick in the United States and was to be such a feature of Rover & Land Rover vehicles for decades.

The 3½ Litre saloon variant was used for years as official transport for British Government ministers, and served as Prime Ministerial transport for Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan, and Margaret Thatcher. As testament to their suitability, the last batch of P5Bs to roll off the Rover line in June 1973 was purchased by the British government and placed in storage, to be released for government use as required. For that reason newly registered P5s were a familiar sight in Westminster for more than a decade after production had ended.

When Margaret Thatcher entered Downing Street in 1979 after her election victory, she was driven in a 1972 model. It was during Thatcher's eleven-year tenure that the P5 was eventually phased out as a Prime-Ministerial car, in favour of the Jaguar XJ. It was rumoured that she wanted a car that looked more up to date and insisted on the change.

Queen Elizabeth II also owned an Arden Green Rover P5B Saloon 'JGY 280', which is on display at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire and was seen in the 18 May 2003 episode of BBC motoring show Top Gear. Harold Wilson's P5, complete with a rack for his pipe, is also at Gaydon.

For me, this is what a Rover looks like.