1964 Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre Mk II

Following on from the BMC Austin Westminster, production of the Vanden Plas Princess started in 1960, although the model had appeared the year before as just the Princess 3 Litre from BMC. The designer was Pininfarina and comprised a spacious saloon with a 2.9 litre engine and was largely identical to the Westminster and Wolseley 6/99 apart from a different front grille. The Vanden Plas input was mostly confined to the superior cabin featuring burr walnut wood trim, leather seats and high quality carpets.

This VDP from 1964 has been in the current ownership since 2004. Cosmetically, it is in very good order, having been the subject of an older restoration some thirty years ago and dry stored recently. The panelwork is straight and the doors close with a nice clunk! The paintwork would respond to a polish but there does not appear to be any rust issues. There is some pitting to the bumpers but the chrome is otherwise in good order. The dashboard is outstanding, the upholstery would benefit from some hide food. Mechanically, the Princess will require recommissioning and is not currently running after a period of storage, its last MOT was in 2017. We do know that the gearbox was replaced in 2006 and a new clutch fitted in 2015.

The history file contains a BL Heritage Certificate, a valuation certificate from 2007, old tax discs dating from 1983, many MOT test certificates from 1977, invoices, the bill of sale in 2004, the original handbook, two BMC workshop manuals, a lubrication chart and the V5C registration certificate.

Auction Date: 23 November 2023