Current bid
£4,000

1939 Lanchester Eleven Sports Saloon

Highlights

  • Formerly maintained by the Museum of British Road Transport to a high standard 
  • Older restoration holding up very well
  • LED lights, new tyres and inner tubes fitted in 2021 costing £1,882.11
  • Seats retrimmed in leather at considerable cost and new carpets fitted throughout
  • Starter motor, radiator core and rear springs replaced during previous ownership
  • Offered in good running and driving order

The Appeal

Lanchester's Ten and Eleven were the Coventry company's first and only foray into compact saloons. Such was their high quality, the Lanchester Ten and the subtly revised Eleven ultimately proved too costly for most buyers, so few were sold at the time and they're exceedingly rare today. High-end features like its pre-select gearbox were seldom found on smaller cars during this period.

We're delighted to present this beautiful example of the Lanchester Eleven Sports Saloon from 1939. Formerly the property of Coventry University and rigorously maintained Museum of British Road Transport, this is surely one of the best survivors of this rare model. The thirty-plus-year-old restoration has held up very well and subsequent owners, our vendor included, have ensured the Lanchester is kept at its best. Recent work includes and interior re-trim, new tyres/tubes, LED light kit and various mechanical improvements.

The vendor demonstrates the Eleven to be running well and we're assured it drives as it should.

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History and Paperwork

  • 56,548 miles indicated
  • Exempt from road tax and MOT
  • Letter from the Museum of British Road Transport dated 1991, stating routine maintenance every two weeks at an annual cost of £1,100
  • The museum's maintenance reportedly included consumables including oil, plugs, points, and grease, taking approximately two hours a week
  • Letter also addressed to Coventry University included
  • Invoices for new tyres, tubes, and fitting of a LED lighting kit in 2021 totalling £1,882.11
  • Typed estimate from a garage in 2015 for replacing the starter motor, radiator core, rear springs, and sundries; no receipt for the work, but previous owner assured it was done

The Condition

  • Handsome pre-war saloon, still sporting its original factory coachwork
  • A very presentable example, inside and out
  • Smart, glossy paint finish with age-commensurate patina in places
  • The vendor notes minor chips in the paintwork, consistent with restoration over thirty years ago
  • New tyres and inner tubes fitted in 2021
  • New carpets throughout
  • Front and rear seats have been retrimmed in leather
  • Smart interior woodwork, instruments and controls
  • LED light kit fitted

The Mechanics

  • 1.4-litre (1,444cc) OHV inline-four
  • Four-speed pre-select gearbox
  • Engine and gearbox are reportedly in good working order with no known faults
  • Car drives as expected for a vehicle nearly 80 years old, with a driving experience that takes some getting used to but is rewarding once mastered
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BEFORE YOU BUY 
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 
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Current bid
£4,000
Reserve not met

5 Bids

29 Saved

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Auction Details

  • Year1939
  • MakeLanchester
  • ModelEleven
  • ColourBlack
  • Odometer56,548 Miles
  • Engine size1444cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownSouthampton
  • CountyHampshire
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

5 Bids from 4 bidders

Richard••••
Bid
£4,000
14/03/25
Richard••••
Bid
£3,000
14/03/25
kleb14••••
Bid
£1,500
14/03/25
Gary Co••••
Bid
£1,200
12/03/25
wserv@y••••
Bid
£750
12/03/25

Comments

NI

Nick123••••

1 day ago

Can you confirm the front seats have been re trimmed in leather, when it was sold in 2021 it stated they were in vinyl, Thanks

CS

colinsh••••

Seller
1 hour ago

I'm not sure of the exact date that the front seats were retrimmed but I had the rears done last year having said that the front seats are unmarked

CS

colinsh••••

Seller
19 hours ago

When I took one of the front seat cushions to the trim shop for a match they told me it was leather but I'm not an expert so I can only repeat what they told me but the rears are a perfect match

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