Not developed by ROVER, but brought by 'Jack' Sangster. The picture shows the ROVER - lettering of the ROVER 8hp 'Eight'.
Predecessor
The ROVER 8hp 'Eight' had no direct predecessor.
Successor
Successor will be the
ROVER 9hp 'Nine',
immediately followed by the
ROVER 9/20 hp 'Nine'
The ROVER 8hp 'Eight' was not developed by ROVER, but came from the outside. John Young Sangster - better known as "Jack" Sangster, son of Charles Thomas Brock Sangster, an engineer who is considered to be a pioneer in bicycle and motorcycle development, was first employed by Cycle Components Ltd as second managing director after his engineering education and military service. Since 1902 this company was especially known for its 'Ariel' motorcycles. Here also his father was managing director. Sangster designed a small, inexpensive car, which he wanted to build there. Why this did not happen is not exactly known. Anyway, the design was sold to ROVER soon.
Sangster joined ROVER as production manager and quickly got the production of the later ROVER 8hp 'Eight' going. ROVER itself had no experience with air-cooled engines and - the most important thing - did not offer a vehicle in this class. The 'Eight' was first introduced as Cycle Car, similar to the 8hp in 1904.
The audience quickly liked the small car, which was significantly upgraded even after a short time. Very remarkable is the appealing Coupé, which could celebrate nice successes as Doctor's Coupé. Attempts to establish the 8hp in interesting versions in the business world were not crowned with success. But a look at the designs is worth it.
1923 Sangster returned to his father's company and acted as deputy managing director until 1930, before taking over the company himself from the bankrupt estate and leading it to success as 'Ariel'.
After 'Jack' Sangster's departure from ROVER, Peter Poppe took over his duties. Immediately he had to find an answer to the new competition: Herbert Austin's new "Seven" had conquered the market and put the manufacturers of small cars - like ROVER with the 8hp "Eight" - in serious trouble. Poppe's answers were the stronger 8hp machine and a more extensive body range.
In our Biographies there is an interesting chapter to the life of
⇒ 'Jack' Sangster
and to his follower
⇒ Peter Poppe
1919-24 ROVER 8hp Two-Seater
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Two-Seater
1919-24 ROVER 8hp Three-/Four-Seater
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Three-/Four-Seater
1919-24 ROVER 8hp Four-Seater
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Four-Seater
1919-24 ROVER 8hp Coupé
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Coupé
1923 ROVER 8hp Commercial Traveller's Car
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Commercial Traveller's Car
1923 ROVER 8hp Utility Car
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Utility Car
1923 ROVER 8hp Light Van
Read more about the ⇒ ROVER 8hp Light Van
1924 ROVER 8hp Weymann Saloon
Production Years and Prices of the ROVER 8hp 'Eight' | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | |||||||
Price | Price | Price | Price | Price | Price | Price | ||||||||
Two-Seater | X | £300 | X | £300 | X | £300* | X | £220 | X | £180 | X | £139 | X | £160** |
Two-Seater deLuxe | X | £200 | X | n.a. | X | £172** | ||||||||
Doctor's Coupé | X | £240 | X | £225 | X | £225 | ||||||||
Three-/Four-Seater | X | £139 | ||||||||||||
Four-Seater | X | £190 | X | £145 | X | £160** | ||||||||
Four-Seater deLuxe | X | £210 | X | n.a. | X | £172** | ||||||||
Utility Car | X | n.a. | X | n.a. | ||||||||||
Light Van | X | £155 | X | £155 | ||||||||||
Commercial Car | X | £160 | X | £160 | ||||||||||
Saloon | X | £214** | ||||||||||||
Comments * =Also listed with 250 guineas; ** = with 1135 ccm - Engine; | ||||||||||||||
1925 presumably only stock was sold | ||||||||||||||
Production Numbers | ||||||||||||||
Total ca. 17.700 | Pre-series | ca. 5000 | ca. 5000 | ca. 3700 | ca. 2850 | ca. 1150 | unknown | |||||||
A l l i n f o r m a t i o n s w i t h o u t g u a r a n t e e |
A YouTube video about the reconstruction of a Rover 8 hp is available, which you can
⇒ watch here.
Sources | |
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Rover Enthusiast Magazine September 2007 |
© 2021-2024 by ROVER - Passion / Michael-Peter Börsig