Winning bid
£4,500

1960 Vanden Plas Princess 3.0 Manual transmission

Highlights 

  • Price reduced for a limited time only
  • Ideal wedding car or luxury weekend tourer
  • Lovely tidy paintwork and exterior details all round 
  • Smooth and powerful 3.0 litre engine mated to a manual transmission 
  • Vast and plush interior to seat 4 in superior comfort 

The Appeal 

Usually when the word ‘limousine’ comes into conversation, one automatically assumes expense. In this case the Austin Vanden Plas was quite the opposite, bringing luxury and quality to the general public with styling to match some of the finest cars produced. 
This example comes dripping with glistening white paint and glossy chrome fixings which give the car a very elegant and regal look. Inside the car is spacious, ideal for 4 occupants but capable of seating up to 6 with the addition of two folding chairs, the ideal car for ferrying around the bride and groom or as a wafty weekend tourer! 

The History and Paperwork 

  • V5 documentation showing 9 previous keepers in over 60 years 
  • MOT & Road tax exempt. The last MOT being in 2019 showing very little use each year and a nice clean history 

The Interior 

  • As with any limousine, the interior is vast and spacious with more than ample legroom for anyone even with the two folding seats deployed 
  • Large rear bench seat and wide opening rear doors allows ideal entry for use as a bridal car 
  • Sliding privacy glass between driver and passenger compartment 
  • Rear seat heating controls are a remarkable addition for this era of car 
  • All carpets and upholstery are in reasonable order with the rear bench material seeing some damage due to use but overall the interior condition is very presentable and could be used as it is or easily brought up to a higher standard 
  • All fixings, handles and knobs appear to be present and in decent order with the usual patina and wear one would expect from a 62 year old vehicle 
  • The headlining and door car materials are nice and tight and still glued in place with no apparent bagging 
  • The front seat is black whereas the rear is brown but retains the same style keeping uniformity throughout the car 
  • Drivers dials and telltales all appear to work and are clean and clear all round 

The Exterior 

  • Vast flowing lines and good brightwork all clean and tidy with nice even panel gaps 
  • Suicide rear doors allowing easier access to the spacious rear cabin 
  • All the chrome has been well kept and polished with only minor evidence of ageing and all the branding, badges and ‘princess’ plates still reside in place 
  • The Lucas headlight and main beam units are all matching with no cracks or moisture ingress, complete with the ‘Lucas’ logo 
  • Marker lights, tail lights and indicators are all in nice clear condition complete with all the chrome surrounds 
  • All round the paint is even and retains a lovely gloss, genuinely well cared for and pampered 

The Mechanics 

  • Widely used BMC 6 cylinder engine producing a smidge over 100bhp and mated to a 4 speed column shift transmission is the ideal unit for this car, providing plenty of power and a nice smooth sound 
  • Generally tidy under the bi-fold bonnet, nothing fancy or showy, but easily accessed and maintained for the home mechanic 
  • All the suspension components look very good indeed, many of the components only showing light surface corrosion but ultimately in good mechanical order 
  • The chassis generally is very good, solid all round for the most part with one or two isolated areas in need of some minor attention to keep the structure in it’s best possible condition 

Summary 

Whether you're looking for a new addition to the wedding car fleet, starting a new chauffeur business or simply would like to potter around in wafty luxury, this Austin Vanden Plas Princess is the ideal companion for any such activity.
 Clearly well maintained throughout, just a small amount of work to the external and some tittivating towards the interior would bring this car on par with some of the better ones around and would help retain the integrity and value of this rare, historic British limousine, ultimately leaving you with a very usable and comfortable classic.


Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
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Auction Details

  • Year1960
  • MakeVanden Plas
  • ModelPrincess 3.0
  • ColourWhite
  • Odometer71,532 Miles
  • Engine size3993cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownLeigh-on-Sea
  • CountyEssex
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

8 Bids from 3 bidders

Ayrdive••••
Bid
£4,500
17/08/23
Nickjc••••
Bid
£4,400
17/08/23
Ayrdive••••
Bid
£4,300
16/08/23
ricco-l••••
Bid
£4,200
15/08/23
Nickjc••••
Bid
£4,100
13/08/23
ricco-l••••
Bid
£4,000
11/08/23
ricco-l••••
Bid
£3,000
11/08/23
Nickjc••••
Bid
£2,000
10/08/23

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