Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1965 Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre R
Estimate
£7, 000 - £9, 000
Lot details
Registration No: CUF 202C
Chassis No: VRS33173
MOT: Exempt
1 of just c. 6, 555 examples made
Offered with an extensive history file
Displaying only c. 36, 000 credible miles
First registered in April 1965. Supplied new by Stringers of Brighton
Announced in August 1964, the Princess 4-Litre R featured a Rolls-Royce, all-aluminium, 175bhp engine enabling an unusually high power-to-weight ratio enabling cruising at 90mph and a top speed in period of 112mph. The engine was the product of over two years of technical collaboration between BMC and Rolls-Royce. Twin SU carburettors were fitted, both the cylinder block and head were aluminium, tappets were hydraulic self-adjusting operating on overhead valves configuration and the counter-balanced crankshaft ran in seven main bearings, reducing vibration. Pricing aimed at challenging the MkX Jaguar was a major change of market positioning, aiming at growth in the prestige and executive market segments of Europe and the United States. The 4. 0 R was luxurious with polished walnut fascia, padded top and bottom, fully reclinable leather seats and polished picnic tables for the rear passengers. A new automatic transmission was provided by Borg-Warner; its first use in a British car, and Hydrosteer variable-ratio power steering accompanied wider tyres.
Purchased on 22nd April 1965, ‘CUF’ was supplied new by Stringers of Brighton as one of just c. 6, 555 examples produced. A Mr Letts of Brighton was the registered keeper until his passing in 1985 and the transfer of ownership to a family member who kept it until 2011. The car was in storage from 1992 until 2010, at which point it was put back on the road. The car was recommissioned with a brake overhaul, new fuel tank and a carburettor rebuild. Bodywork restoration and a repaint commenced sometime in early 2012, in the ownership of a Mr Eaton of Kidderminster. ‘CUF’ then passed into the custodianship of subsequent owners from Southampton to Southport before coming to our vendor in June 2019.
The vendor purchased the car in June 2019 with mechanical work initiated and including the fitment of new springs and dampers in January 2020, new plugs, a points condensor and HT leads on 2nd September 2024. New door rubbers have also been purchased with just the rears requiring fitting. Front and rear screen rubbers are also supplied with the car. The 4-Litre has only covered some 36, 000 credible miles from new, with some 30 old MOTs on record in the history file and receipts dating back to 1968, going some way to verify the very low mileage. The 4-Litre has clocked up only some 1, 024 miles in the last 13 years, according to the DVSA records. ‘CUF’ is offered with an extensive history file, an original brochure and a booklet for the original Radiomobile radio, a Vanden Plas Owner’s Club Dating Certificate, MOT certificates dating back to 1968, a collection of invoices and the Passport to Service.
