1965 Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre 'R' Saloon, Registration no. EJW 359C Chassis no. V/RS31523 Engine no. 40FBAH1674

Odometer reading: 15,806
MOT: Exempt

*Automatic transmission
*Previous long-term enthusiast family ownership
*An older restoration
*Well maintained

One of Britain's most illustrious coachbuilders, chiefly remembered for its sublime Vintage-era Bentleys, the firm of Vanden Plas was acquired by Austin in 1946 and reinvented as a marque in its own right some years later. From the late 1940s onwards Vanden Plas engaged in bodying top-of-the-line Austins before marque status, albeit courtesy of 'badge engineering', arrived for 1960. When the Austin A99 was upgraded to A110 specification in 1961, the equivalent Vanden Plas Princess followed suit, becoming the Mark II. The final development saw the Princess offered with the six-cylinder Rolls-Royce FB60 engine: a short-stroke 3,909cc variant of that used in the Silver Cloud. Extensive revisions were made to accommodate the Rolls-Royce engine and the new model – known as the Princess 4-Litre R – was most enthusiastically received. Sadly, after the initial enthusiasm wore off, sales slowed to a trickle and only 6,555 cars had been built when the model was withdrawn in 1968.
This restored Princess R previously belonged for a long time to a family of classic car enthusiasts, passing through the hands of various family members while being used sparingly as part of their sizeable collection. The car has been maintained by Penguin Motors of Cambridge and comes with numerous bills relating to its restoration and maintenance together with photographs of the former. MoTs on file date back to 1995 and the car also comes with a V5C document. An honest car, very well looked after, this handsome Princess R drives very well (the automatic transmission works smoothly) and is the very exemplar of quality motoring.

Vendor Score Total: 70 /100

Bidders should note that the automated 100-point Seller's Assessment is provided by each Seller at the point of consignment using the guidelines below, and is not provided, assessed or verified by Bonhams MPH. Accordingly Customers (Bidders) are on notice that each vehicle is offered "as is / as seen" subject to the Conditions of Sale for the auction, and Customers (Bidders) are strongly recommended to view the Lot(s) being offered, before bidding, in order to satisfy themselves as to their condition; Bonhams MPH will not entertain disputes over Sellers' Assessments.

Key for sellers' assessments:
1/5 POOR. A project vehicle | Requires urgent attention | Damaged | Parts missing
2/5 AVERAGE. Useable condition | Requires some attention | Light damage
3/5 GOOD. Drive away | Presents well | Good history file | Drives well
4/5 VERY GOOD. Well restored | Running and driving with no noticeable faults | Sound throughout
5/5 EXCELLENT. Concours condition | Beautifully presented | Driving very well

EXTERIOR TOTAL: 16 /25
Body Work: 4
Paint: 3
Glass: 3
Chrome/Plastics/Trim: 3
Wheels/Tyres: 3

RUNNING GEAR TOTAL: 16 /20
Gearbox/Clutch: 4
Axles: 4
Suspension: 4
Brakes: 4

INTERIOR TOTAL: 14 /20
Seats: 4
Dashboard/Door cards/Carpets: 4
Headlining: 3
Trim: 3

ELECTRICAL TOTAL: 6 /10
Main components: 3
Ancillary components: 3

ENGINE TOTAL: 14 /20
Starting: 4
Running: 4
Under Bonnet: 3
Mechanical components: 3

Car History File: 4