Lot details Registration No: KPE795K Chassis No: VA45H31327M Mot Expiry: June 2006
Introduced in 1967, the Austin Vanden Plas Princess1300 was the jewel in the crown of BMC's highly successful, Sir Alec Issigonis designed (ADO16) small car programme. Utilising the same Pininfarina styled monocoque bodyshell, rack and pinion steering and hydrolastic independent suspension as its contemporaneous Austin 1100 MKII sibling, it was powered by a detuned version of the 1275cc Mini Cooper S engine. Specially kitted out with high-grade leather upholstery and walnut veneer trim at the famous coachbuilder's London works (though, production later switched to Longbridge), these mini-limousines sported distinctive hubcaps, front foglights and the hallmark Vanden Plas grille. Facelifted in 1971 with a revised fascia and sundry detail changes, the Princess 1300 was supplanted by the Allegro-based Princess 1500 three years afterwards.
Finished in Ruby Red with dark blue leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "excellent" order with regard to its engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork and wheels / tyres (though, he considers the paintwork to be "very good"). Said to have covered just 26,800 miles from new (a figure that is apparently supported by "full service history"), it is also understood to be "completely rust free" and to have had "only three previous owners". Reported to "run beautifully with everything operative", the seller believes this "totally original and correct" Vanden Plas Princess 1300 to be one of "very few left in this untouched condition within these shores". A real timewarp, it is offered for sale with history file and MOT certificate valid until June 4th 2006.
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