The Rover P5 gained the 3.5 litre V8 engine in 1967, together with a new Borg-Warner automatic gearbox which was standard equipment and became the P5B. In this form the 3.5 litre was made until 1973, with a total number of 18,536 cars being made.

This particular car was equipped for the use of the Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson as his official car and included an oversize ashtray to accommodate his pipe. It was also used by subsequent Prime Ministers; James Callaghan, Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher, before it was retired in 1983.