View source for Rover 14

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
The Rover Fourteen was a medium-sized family car and variants produced by the British Rover car company between 1924 and 1948. Civilian automobile production was interrupted in 1940 because of the [[Second World War|war]], but when the war ended in 1945, the '''Rover 14''' returned to the market and remained available until replaced by the [[Rover P3|Rover 75]] at the beginning of 1948.<ref name=BritishCars/>
==Clegg 14==
Rover's first 14 was no more than a renamed 12. Introduced in 1912 designed by Clegg it became known as Rover's Clegg 12. The name was changed to 14 in 1923. It was last offered for sale in 1925. See [[Rover 12#Rover Clegg 12 (1912-1923) and 14 (1924)|Rover Clegg]].
==14/45==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Rover 14/45
| image =
| caption =
| manufacturer = [[Rover (car)|Rover]]
| aka =
| production =
| model_years = 1924–1928
| assembly =
| designer =
| class =
| body_style = {{unbulleted list|chassis only|2 or 3-seater tourer|5-seater tourer|''Weymann'' saloon|coupé<ref name=TT43786>The Motor Show. ''The Times'', Saturday,  Oct 18, 1924; pg. 17; Issue 43786</ref>}}
| layout =
| platform =
| related =
| engine = 2132 cc ohc straight 4
| transmission =
| wheelbase = {{convert|120|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} '''track''' {{convert|54|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| length = {{convert|178|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| width = {{convert|60|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| height = not published<ref name=TT43786/>
| weight = {{convert|2688|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| predecessor =
| successor =
| sp = uk
}}
{{Infobox automobile engine
| name          = Rover 14/45
| image         =
| manufacturer  =
| aka           =
| production    =
| predecessor   = [[Rover 12#Rover Clegg 12 (1912-1923) and 14 (1924)|Rover 14]]
| successor     = [[Rover Two-litre]]
| configuration = straight 4
| displacement  = {{convert|2132|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| bore          ={{convert|75|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| stroke        ={{convert|120|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=TT43786/>
| head          =
| valvetrain    =
| compression   =
| supercharger  =
| turbocharger  =
| fuelsystem    = ''[[Solex Carburetor|Solex]]'' downdraught carburettor
| management    =
| fueltype      =  petrol
| oilsystem     = pressure
| coolingsystem = water circulated by impeller to fan-assisted radiator<ref name=TT43786/>
| power         = {{convert|45|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} @2,500 rpm<br />Tax horsepower 13.95<ref name=TT43786/>
| specpower     =
| torque        =
| length        =
| width         =
| height        =
| diameter      =
| weight        =
}}
Announced in October 1924 with a much more powerful engine than its predecessor<ref name=TT43786/> it would remain available until 1928 though "supplemented" from May 1926 by the 2.4-litre [[Rover 16#Rover 16/50|16/50]] with a strengthened transmission on the same chassis.<ref>A New Model Rover Motor-Car. ''The Times'', Saturday, May 22, 1926; pg. 9; Issue 44278</ref> Somewhat unconventional the new 14/45 displayed these distinctive attributes: unusual engine design (spherical combustion chambers), four-wheel brakes, four-speed gearbox<ref name=TT43786/><ref name=TT43989>Cars Of To-Day. The Times, Tuesday,  Jun 16, 1925; pg. 22; Issue 43989.</ref>
;Engine
The engine was given spherical combustion chambers for which greater efficiency was claimed because it provided more even burning of the fuel and air mixture. The engine's sparking plugs had been placed in the centre of each combustion chamber and on either side of the plug the overhead valves were mounted at 45 degrees to the head. One overhead camshaft acts directly on the inlet valves and through horizontal pushrods works the exhaust valves on the other side of the engine. The camshaft was driven by a vertical shaft  at the rear of the engine. Water circulation was assisted by an impeller.<ref name=TT43786/>  By the time of the following Motor Show the worm drive at the rear of the engine for the camshaft and other accessories had been modified to deal with a noise problem.<ref>The Motor Show. ''The Times'', Monday, Oct 12, 1925; pg. 22; Issue 44090</ref>
;Transmission
Engine clutch and gearbox were held as a unit at three points.<ref name=TT43989/> There was a single plate clutch, its housing cast in one piece with the gearbox, a four-speed gearbox and an enclosed drive shaft taking power to the spiral bevel final drive. The gear lever, adjustable for reach, was positioned by the driver's right hand.<ref name=TT43786/>
;Brakes steering suspension
The worm and sector steering box<ref name=TT43989/> was fixed to the engine and received lubrication from it. All four wheels had internally expanding brakes. The hand lever operated only the back pair. Unconventional in action it was simplified for the following Motor Show. The front brakes used the [[Henri Perrot|''Perrot'' system]].<ref name=TT43786/> The car's springs were all half-elliptical, flat-set and gaitered.<ref name=TT43989/>
;Body
As well as the windscreen there was a rear screen and luggage grid. The hood was supplied with a draught excluder and all-weather side curtains. The front seats could be adjusted.<ref name=TT43786/>
;Road test
The reviewer for "The Times" liked the car though he did comment that the flexible and responsive engine seemed to have "no very marked bite". The engine remained cool throughout the test. The otherwise unusually good suspension allowed too much rocking movement fore and aft. Passenger accommodation back and front was "unusually comfortable" and "wholly quiet". The car "looks well".<ref name=TT43989/>
{{clear}}
==Pilot 14 and Speed Pilot==
This car was a renamed Pilot 14 after the engine was enlarged from 12 to 14 horsepower in mid 1932. See [[Rover 12#Speed Pilot and Pilot 14|Rover Pilot]]
==Rover 14 P1 (1933–1938)==
{{Infobox automobile
| image        = Rover 14 saloon 1577cc manufactured 1935 photographed at Knebworth 2012.jpg
| name         = Rover 14<br />P1
| caption = 1935 Fourteen 6-light saloon P1
| manufacturer = [[Rover (car)|Rover]]
| production   = 1933–1938
| body_style   = {{Unbulleted list|chassis only|four-door “six-light” saloon|four-door "four-light" sports saloon|Streamline saloon (fastback)|Speed Fourteen Streamline coupé|Speed Fourteen Hastings coupé|sports four-seater|* coupé and sports bodies also available with 54 bhp engine as Rover Speed Fourteen<ref name=TT46543>Cars Of 1934. ''The Times'', Thursday, Sep 07, 1933; pg. 15; Issue 46543</ref>}}
| engine       = 1577 cc straight 6
| transmission = {{Unbulleted list| gear control central and 'remote';|4-speed with 'quiet' 2nd and 3rd;|free-wheel controlled from dashboard ([[Startix|automatic starting]]); single-dry-plate clutch; open propeller shaft; spiral bevel rear axle}}
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2921|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars>{{cite book |last=Culshaw |author2=Horrobin  |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |isbn=0-333-16689-2}}</ref>
| track         =
| weight       = {{Unbulleted list|P1 24 cwt, {{convert|2688|lb|kg|abbr=on}} |P1 26 cwt, {{convert|2912|lb|kg|abbr=on}}|P2 }}
| length       = {{convert|4191|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}  to <br />{{convert|4445|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| width        = {{convert|1575|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}  to <br />{{convert|1588|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor       = [[Rover 12##Speed Pilot and Pilot 14|Pilot 14]]
| successor    = Rover P2
| designer     =
| sp           = uk
}}
[[File:Rover 14 (P1) 6-Light Saloon (1938) (20527738459).jpg|thumb|Fourteen 6-light saloon <br />registered April 1938]]
The '''Rover Fourteen''' P1 was announced in early September 1933<ref name=TT46543/> to replace the interim [[Rover 12#Speed Pilot and Pilot 14|Pilot 14]]. It had been seen previously by the public in prototype in the RAC Rally at Hastings as the competition winning Rover Speed Fourteen 4-door coupé.
The B H Thomas six-cylinder ohv engine from the Pilot had a capacity of 1,577 cc.  Maximum power output of 48&nbsp;bhp (39.7&nbsp;kW) at 4,600 rpm<ref>The Olympia Show. ''The Times'', Tuesday, Oct 17, 1933; pg. 7; Issue 46577</ref> and a top speed of 111&nbsp;km/h (69&nbsp;mph) were claimed.<ref name=BritishCars/>
The car had no luggage compartment and the spare wheel and tyre were carried in a metal case positioned vertically above the back bumper with a fold-out luggage rack.
===Streamline===
During 1934 an extra new body shape was offered designated Streamline saloon and, more compact, a Streamline coupé. Both were a fastback shape, the rear portion not unlike the [[:File:Riley Kestrel rear quarter.jpg|Riley Kestrel]] body. The four-door Streamline coupé's roof left even less headroom for the rear passengers than the restricted space available to backseat passengers in the Streamline saloon.<ref>Cars Of 1936. ''The Times'', Friday, Aug 09, 1935; pg. 8; Issue 47138</ref>
For the 1934 Olympia Motor Show the wheelbase was extended by 3 inches to 115 inches and the track widened by ½ an inch. The lengthened wheelbase put the seats well within the wheelbase.<ref>The Motor Show. ''The Times'', Monday, Oct 15, 1934; pg. 21; Issue 46885</ref>
===Speed Fourteen===
The Speed engine had three semi-downdraught carburettors in place of the standard single  down-draught instrument, specially streamlined ports and manifolds and a high-compression cylinder head. Output was 54&nbsp;bhp at 4,800 rpm.<ref name=TT46543/>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
Rover 14 Sports Saloon 1935 14598973322.jpg|1935 Speed Fourteen sports saloon P1
Rover 14 Sports Saloon 1935 14597661774.jpg|with flush fitting sliding roof
</gallery>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
1936 Rover Speed 14 1.6.jpg|1936 Speed Fourteen 4-door Streamline saloon
1936 Rover Speed 14 Airline coupé (1936) (29947544082).jpg
</gallery>
===Road test of a Speed Fourteen Hastings coupé===
''The Times''' correspondent thought the car travelled rapidly and smoothly and found the lines of the body pleasing. Front seat access, he said, is easy but the rear seat though having good leg and elbow room and just enough head clearance is as difficult as most sports models to climb into. The car seemed "well-found" - two wipers with two motors, a fitted tool tray below the instrument panel, a windscreen with a handle and concealed chain for security. The signal lever has an automatic return. Driving position, location and action of all controls were all fine. There is a harmonic stabiliser. Though a sports car the engine is not fussy or hesitant at low speeds. The best speed on the open road was about 80 miles  an hour.<ref>Cars Of To-Day. ''The Times'', Wednesday, Jul 24, 1935; pg. 8; Issue 47124.</ref>
===Road test of a Fourteen 6-light saloon===
The standard four-door saloon was tested in April 1937 with a wheelbase 3 inches longer. Although it had the less highly tuned engine and reached just 70&nbsp;mph on the straight the tester described it as fast for its size, stable on the road. ". . . with the even travel, speed is deceptive"<ref>`Cars Of To-Day. ''The Times'', Tuesday, Apr 27, 1937; pg. 10; Issue 47669</ref>
;More powerful engine
From the summer of 1936 Rover customers wishing to combine the Fourteen's virtues with better performance could opt for the [[Rover 16]] which combined the same body with a larger engine.<ref>Cars Of 1937. ''The Times'', Wednesday, Aug 19, 1936; pg. 8; Issue 47457.</ref>
{{clear}}
==Rover 14 P2 (1938–1948)==
{{Infobox automobile
| image        = Rover 14 6-Light Saloon (1939) (7826954894).jpg
| name         = Rover 14<br />P2
| caption = Fourteen 6-light saloon<br />registered September 1939<br />(postwar car was longer and wider)
| manufacturer = [[Rover (car)|Rover]]
| production   = 1938–1940<br />1945–1948
| body_style   = {{Unbulleted list|4-door 6-light saloon<ref name=TT48384>Rover Company Ltd. ''The Times'', Tuesday, Aug 15, 1939; pg. 11; Issue 48384</ref>|4-door 4-light sports saloon<ref name=TT48384/>|drophead coupé<ref name=TT48384/>}}
| engine       = 1901 cc straight 6
| transmission =
| wheelbase    =
| track         =
| weight       =
| length       =
| width        =
| predecessor       = Rover Fourteen P1
| successor    = [[Rover P3|Rover Fourteen P3]]
| designer     =
| sp           = uk
}}
An "entirely new" car was announced on 14 October 1938 with a more powerful engine, 1901 cc, new coachwork, "easy-clean" wheels and additional refinements including synchromesh on 3rd and top gears (not essential on cars with freewheel), automatic chassis lubrication and anti-roll stabilisers front and back. The track is now 48 inches, tools are now in a rubber-lined tray<ref>The Rover Co. Ltd. ''The Times'', Friday, Oct 14, 1938; pg. 7; Issue 48125</ref><ref>The Motor Show. ''The Times'', Monday, Oct 17, 1938; pg. 8; Issue 48127.</ref>
This model was part of the '''Rover P2''' range, along with [[Rover 10]], [[Rover 12]], [[Rover 16]] and [[Rover 20]] variants.<ref>[http://rovercarclubaust.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Rover-5-millionth-production.pdf ''Rover production total – since 1904 (as of 1 July 2004)'', rovercarclubaust.asn.au] Retrieved 2 June 2015</ref>
In 1945 another 2½ inches was added to the wheelbase as well as 2½ inches to the track.<ref name=BritishCars/>
{{clear}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*(republished) Culshaw, David & Horrobin, Peter: The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895 - 1975, Veloce Publishing Plc., Dorchester (1997), {{ISBN|1874105936}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/03/16/photos-1925-rover-1445 images of a 14/45 4-door open tourer]
* [http://www.ipernity.com/doc/305711/21710507 A 1936 Speed 14 streamline coupe (left), and a 1935 streamline saloon (right)]
[[Category:Rover vehicles|14]]
[[Category:1930s cars]]
[[Category:1940s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1924]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]