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Rover 2000 TC
After reading
a recent report which had nothing but praise for the Rover 2000 TC sedan we put
in our minds that we would somehow find some small criticism of this latest
model from the Rover Motor Company. Needless to say we failed in our assignment.
This is a car which does everything just right and to say that the Rover 2000 TC
is a perfect piece of automotive engineering is certainly not exagerating. It is
almost startling that a car can be so well developed right down to the smallest
detail. There is no aspect of this car which can be criticized and when you
drive the TC you can rest assured that there is not another automobile on the
road that does everything so well as this one except for other TCīs.
When you first
sit in the TC it brings out a certain excitement and if it werenīt for the laws
against stealing you would be inclined to drive the car and never bring it back,
or for that matter never stop driving it, period. Not only are you enveloped in
luxury and top performance, but the Rover 2000 TC is easy on the gas bill. At a
steady 50 mph the car gives you 32 mpg. The only problem here is to hold off the
accelerator because the Rover 2000 TC appears to be as safe at 90 mph as it is
at 30 mph. Itīs handling qualities are superior and with the combination of the
de Dion rear end, Pirelli Cinturato tires and disc brakes all around, you have
what is probably the safest sports sedan on the road. Rover has promised that
boat loads of these new models will flow into this country, but once a few more
people have tried the car and the good word spreads, then chances are Roverīs
biggest problem will be meeting the demand.
The Rover 2000
TC is what you might call a five-year old car. In other words this is a car
which you will still be driving long after you have made that last payment. And
the design of the TC is such that even in todayīs fast changing automotive
world, the appearance of the Rover will never grow old. Besides being an
attractive automobile, the Rover 2000 TC is a solid unit. While the TC is a
vehicle which you would want to treat with the greatest care, it can still take
any rough punishment it may receive in this country. The paint and body work
speaks only of quality craftmanship. From every angle the car is exciting. A
smart grill incorporates four headlights while turn signals are fixed to the
front of the fenders falling neatly into the carīs sweeping front end design.
Rubber bumperettes are found on both the front and rear bumpers.
The smooth and
quiet running overhead camshaft engine displaces 120.8 cu. in. (2 litre). The
four cylinder unit has a power output of 124 bhp at 5500 rpm while its maximum
torque is 132 ft/lbs at 4000 rpm. The engine is perfectly square in design
having a bore and stroke of 3375 inches. The crankshaft runs in five copper-lead
bearings. This bearing distribution gives exceptionally smooth running at the
high speed of which the engine is capable. The copper-lead material ensures long
bearing life. Combustion chambers are formed, not in the cylinder head but in
the hollowed crown of the pistons. The aluminium cylinder head is of completely
new design and features intake and exhaust ports designed for maximum flow, also
a detachable water heated induction manifold.
If you have
ever wondered what the interior of a car should be like, then it is suggested
you try the Rover 2000 TC. This car gives you the ultimate in luxury, comfort
and safety. When we say this is a car which does everything right, our statement
becomes even more evident once you have placed yourself inside the Rover.
Control switches are easy to reach and there is no mystery as to what they are
as each one is clearly marked. The control switch panel is mounted on the centre
of the car bringing all controls into an organized system. There are fresh air
vents mounted in front of both the driverīs and passengerīs seats. The heater is
excellent, supplying you with enough warmth throughout the car, no matter what
cold conditions you may run into. One other interesting feature on the control
panel is a small amber light known as the icelert. This flashes on and off
when the temperature goes below the 36 degree mark and stays on when the
temperature reaches the freezing point. The outside temperature is relayed by a
pick up mounted on the front bumper. The brightness of the amber light can be
controlled by a rheostat located just to the left of the light itself thereby
eliminating any annoyances during long periods of driving in cold weather.
We have yet to
see a larger glove compartment than those in the Rover 2000. We say those,
because there are two of them, both well padded. One is placed in front of the
passenger seat and the other is found on the driver side. While the fake wooden
rim steering wheel is somewhat large, we found that it was not uncomfortable.
The horizontal speedometer and wisely placed tachometer are easy to read and the
speedometer incorporates warning lights for the choke, oil, emergency brake and
ignition as well as a rheostat for panel brightness and the trip meter. The
short gear lever is beautifully located and even with the driverīs seat well
back it is easy and a pleasure to operate. The seats themselves, both front and
back, fit like a glove, providing maximum comfort.
Even the trunk
on the Rover TC is something to rave about. There is ample amount of luggage
space and this is usually something which an imported sedan lacks. Suitcases can
be placed vertically in this area and the tire is mounted vertically on the left
hand side which means you donīt have to unpack before changing a flat. A vinyl
hood affair covers the tire. Just to the left of tire and strapped against
fender wells, is the jack and a small tool kit which includes, imagine this, a
tire gauge!
The Rover 2000
TC gives a ride vastly superior to other cars of its size and yet handles with
Grand Touring efficiency. The Pirelli Cinturatoīs are excellent and the
suspension has been tuned to these radial ply tires in such a manner that the
car outhandles any other sedan in its class. The steering is light with a
positive understeer. We had occasion to come up against a few sports cars
intown, and no doubt their drivers were somewhat amazed when this sedan managed
to leave them during cornering manouvres. It is a very satisfying feeling to
have a luxurious sedan which can give you adequate acceleration and then perform
like a true GT when it comes to roaring through corners, along super highways or
over country roads.
The increased
horsepower (from 100 to 124) of the TC (Twin Carburetor) has made the car a true
performance machine. With two aboard we were able to record a 0-60 time of 11.1
seconds. And on top of this, the car gives excellent gas mileage. The all
synchromesh gear box makes shifting a delightful experience and the throws are
quick and accurate. Our speeds in gear were: 34 in first, 62 in second and in
third, where the car really starts to take off, we obtained over 90 mph. The
carīs highway performance is superb and cruising at 90 mph is an effortless job
for the engine. Wind noise is practically negligible although there is some tire
noise at higher speeds.
To draw an
overall picture of the Rover 2000 TC is a most difficult job. The car does
everything so well, that it is not right to point out only a few aspects. It has
the class of a champion executing every move with excellence and even under the
close eye of the most critical judge there are no flaws to be found. It just
doesnīt makes any mistakes. The Rover Motor Company might even be tempted to use
only the initials TC and call it The Car which dares to be known by this name
alone.
Canadian Track
& Traffic / Canada June 1966
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