Rover had been a cycle and motorcycle manufacturer for several decades before introducing a car. Their first model, the 8hp, appeared in 1904. Designed by Edmund Lewis, it stayed in production until 1912.

The 8hp had a backbone chassis frame with transverse leaf springs and initially cable and bobbin steering and steering column gear change, soon replaced by worm steering gear and the more conventional right-hand gear change. A foot pedal enabled the compression of the engine to be used to assist braking.

The car was very light at 533kg and its engine was considered 'powerful' at the time. A Rover 8hp was the first car to be driven across Europe to Istanbul.

This is the oldest surviving Rover car.