Description
Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R: Show Winner/ Superb
The Vanden Plas Princess R with its Rolls-Royce all-aluminium 175 bhp engine was announced in August 1964. With an unusually high power to weight ratio the car gave easy cruising at 90+ mph and was capable of 112 mph. Not bad for a Farina!
While there were some significant exterior alterations, the big change was under the bonnet where, after more than two years technical collaboration between BMC & Rolls Royce, the original 3 Litre engine had been replaced by the 3, 909cc aluminium Rolls-Royce military FB60 engine weighing in at just 450lbs whole producing 175bhp – it was simply superb.
The 4-litre R was replete with polished walnut fascia leather/ hide upholstered seats with fully reclinable backs and polished picnic tables for the rear passengers. Technically, the car featured the Borg-Warner model 8 auto box and Hydrosteer variable ratio power steering making for a very capable, comfortable and surprisingly quick automobile.
BMC set great store by the car and just under 7, 000 of the 4 Litre were produced. Today good examples are highly prized but very hard to find.
Milestones sold this wonderful ‘R’, finished in period Peat over Champagne, around four months ago to a regular customer who has (reluctantly) part-exchanged his Princess for the next car on his classic ‘bucket-list’.
The VDP is in superb order throughout and on the road is smooth, stately and surprising unruffled at pace – not that this is what the car is about. The alloy RR engine is “torquey” and goes about its business quietly and without fuss while the power steering gives exactly the assistance required and the brakes are a match for most modern cars.
The “squared off” Farina bodywork with revised roofline, different taillights and muted rear-fins is striking with, in my opinion, a genuine understated elegance. The Peat/ Champagne paint is excellent with a deep shine, excellent panel fit with no evidence of corrosion and all mated to excellent brightwork.
The original interior is simply a lovely place to be with burred walnut, leather seats, deep pile Wilton carpet and West of England (wool) roof lining all providing an exceptional level of comfort as you drive past the less fortunate travellers on the road.
The car comes with a good history folder including workshop manual, Drivers Handbook, lots of old MOT’s/ invoices back to 1976 plus spares and silverware in the boot.
Unmolested classics of this quality rarely come to market - they simply move between owners via the car club grapevine. This prize-winning R has clearly had lots of time, care, attention and money lavished on her over the years.
Ready to use and enjoy, we expect this outstanding VDP to find a discerning custodian very quickly. You will not be disappointed.
