Under the direction of the Wilkes brothers, Rover was by 1939 one of the leading independent car manufacturers in Britain.

The main Rover range comprised three models introduced for the 1934 season - the 10 hp and 12 hp models with 4-cylinder engines, and the 14 hp model which inherited its six‐cylinder engine from the Rover 'Pilot'.

Throughout the 1930s Rover cars had restrained but elegant styling, well suited to the requirements of professional, upper-middle class people. At times, however, even Rover would bow to fashion.

Following the US trend in the '30s, Rover offered the fastback 'Streamline saloon' and 'Streamline coupé' aerodynamic bodies. This Streamline saloon is a Speed 14, featuring a tuned, three carburettor engine.