In the late 1960s, the old Rover Company put everything it knew into a complex luxury saloon codenamed P8. At the same time, it planned to branch out into a new sector of the market with a stunningly advanced mid-engined sports car prototype that became a formal project with the codename of P9. However, with the forced merger into British Leyland in 1968, Rover found itself squeezed between Triumph and Jaguar: neither marque welcomed the new sports car, and Jaguar particularly did not welcome the new luxury saloon. Little by little, Rover’s plans were undermined, and in 1970 the sports car was killed off, followed by the luxury saloon, which was axed in 1971, a mere six months before production was due to start. Just a year later, Rover itself ceased to exist as a separate business after a forced merger with Triumph.

Marvellous book - a read that proves as frustrating as revelatory - shows how rivalries with Rover, Jaguar and Triumph proved to be as toxic as those between MG and Triumph -- David Knowles, MGE Magazine * MGE Magazine *
What Douiglas and James have written is something that is rarely seen; a glimpse into a decade's worth of development of a company that no longer exists from a time where cars were designed on drawing boards, and paerts were fitted to cars for test purposes, rather than designed on computers with accouintants holding the reigns -- Chris White, P6 News Magazine * P6 New Magazine *
This book is superbly illustrated, with many pictures being published here for the first time. For Rover enthusiasts hungry for detail, both text and pictures will satisfy even the most demanding. Looking at the front cover with a colourised image of what would have been an amazing Rover flagship saloon, imagined here in Oporto Red, who wouldn't want to drive that car! -- Neil Castle, Freewheel Magazine * FreeWheel magazine *
If you're a Rover enthusiast or just fascinated by the politics, intrigue and engineering ambition of British Leyland, you absolutely need this book on your shelf. It's nothing less than remarkable. -- Keith Adams, AROnline * AROnline *
This is one of the best research books that I have had the pleasure to read; it records in meticulous details the lost Rovers with superb photos and fascinating details. It revisits Rover in early BL days and the crisis years that followed. If you are a Rover fan, then this book is a must for your bookshelf. -- Russ Harvey, Classic Truck Magazine * Classic Truck Magazine *
A remarkably well researched and intersting production that is a must for Rover Enthusiats - and that anyone interested in car developemnt in the post-war British motor industry should strongly consider too. -- Charlie Calderwood, Classic & Sports Car * Classic & Sports Car *
'a good tragic story is always a good read' - https://youtu.be/VM58Muv1YsA -- Myles Kronblatt, YouTube

James Taylor has been writing professionally about cars since the late 1970s, and his interests embrace a wide range of older cars of all makes and nationalities, as well as classic buses, lorries and military vehicles. He has written several books about BMW cars within a portfolio that now consists of well over 130 books. Many of these have been definitive one-make or one-model titles, including a number for Crowood. He has also written for enthusiast magazines in several countries, has translated books from foreign languages, and makes sure he always has something old and interesting in the garage. D.J. COOKE spent his working life in the motor industry in a variety of enjoyable roles but has always had a close connection with Rovers and Land Rovers from the 1960s onwards, having owned and modified quite a few. After finally managing to view early prototypes of both subject cars, and prompted by an old school friend, he was moved to co-write this book to set the record straight, not knowing that it would take five long years of research to piece together. Armed with the full story at last, it now rankles even more that he never got to experience these two exciting and forward-looking V8 motor cars in period.