21st Mar, 2018 13:00
Imperial War Museum Duxford
1973 Vanden Plas Princess 1300
Estimated at £7,000 - £9,000
Lot details
Registration No: WRS866L
Chassis No: VAS2-35878M
Mot Expiry: April 2018
- Registering less than 16,000 miles from new, recent brake overhaul
- Teal Blue with Beige leather interior, automatic transmission
- Unrepeatable time-warp example with current MoT to April 2018
Acquired by BMC in 1946 the firm of Vanden Plas, which could trace its roots back as far as 1870, had earned an enviable reputation as a coachbuilder chiefly known for its work on Bentley, Lagonda and Rolls-Royce chassis prior the Second World War. By the late 1950s the company was engaged in adding luxury fittings to a range of Austin-Morris models produced by BMC. In 1963, the ADO16 range of saloons began to be upgraded culminating in the lavishly equipped Vanden Plas 1300 Princess as offered here. Leather upholstery, wood veneer, a distinctive radiator grille and special badging distinguished these VDP examples, whilst the 1.3-litre twin carburettor engine shared with the MG models developed some 65bhp, resulting in a 90mph top speed.
This time-warp automatic transmission example registers less than 16,000 miles (just 15,658 at the time of cataloguing) from new, having mostly been in storage since 1981. Originally sold new in Scotland, the car recently benefited from a brake overhaul and the fitment of new tyres. Finished attractively in Teal Blue with Beige interior, WRS 866L appears ready to show and comes with an old-style Swansea V5 document, 1981 MoT certificate at 14,197 miles and a current MoT with no advisories. Arguably the most desirable model variation of its type, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire such an original and well-preserved example.
Registration No: WRS866L
Chassis No: VAS2-35878M
Mot Expiry: April 2018
- Registering less than 16,000 miles from new, recent brake overhaul
- Teal Blue with Beige leather interior, automatic transmission
- Unrepeatable time-warp example with current MoT to April 2018
Acquired by BMC in 1946 the firm of Vanden Plas, which could trace its roots back as far as 1870, had earned an enviable reputation as a coachbuilder chiefly known for its work on Bentley, Lagonda and Rolls-Royce chassis prior the Second World War. By the late 1950s the company was engaged in adding luxury fittings to a range of Austin-Morris models produced by BMC. In 1963, the ADO16 range of saloons began to be upgraded culminating in the lavishly equipped Vanden Plas 1300 Princess as offered here. Leather upholstery, wood veneer, a distinctive radiator grille and special badging distinguished these VDP examples, whilst the 1.3-litre twin carburettor engine shared with the MG models developed some 65bhp, resulting in a 90mph top speed.
This time-warp automatic transmission example registers less than 16,000 miles (just 15,658 at the time of cataloguing) from new, having mostly been in storage since 1981. Originally sold new in Scotland, the car recently benefited from a brake overhaul and the fitment of new tyres. Finished attractively in Teal Blue with Beige interior, WRS 866L appears ready to show and comes with an old-style Swansea V5 document, 1981 MoT certificate at 14,197 miles and a current MoT with no advisories. Arguably the most desirable model variation of its type, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire such an original and well-preserved example.
Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 21st Mar, 2018
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