Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford
15th Mar, 2023 13:00
1966 Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre R
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: PRP 359D
Chassis No: V/ R53547
MOT: Exempt
1 of just 6, 555 examples made
Only c. 41, 000 recorded and believed genuine miles
Current family ownership since 2010
Finished in Peat over Stone and presents very well
Supplied new by F. G. Smith (Motors) Ltd.
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 Mk. X 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.
One of just 6, 555 examples made, this 4 Litre R was manufactured in 1966 and was distributed to motor agents F. G. Smith (Motors) Ltd who retained the Vanden Plas as first owners, presumably utilising chassis number V/ R53547 as a dealer demonstrator. Famously fitted with the aforementioned 3909cc Rolls-Royce straight-six engine mated to the Borg-Warner automatic transmission, the Princess is finished in its original colour scheme of Peat over Stone, with complementary Champagne leather interior upholstery. In long-term previous ownership, the 4 Litre R is known to have spent some time as a resident of Guernsey before returning to the United Kingdom's shores.
‘PRP 359D’ entered into current family ownership in 2010 and has a recorded and believed genuine mileage of 41, 000 miles. The history file contains paperwork supporting the mileage including the original stamped Passport to Service and fifteen previous MOT certificates. The driver’s handbook and workshop manual are also included, as well as a collection of previous invoices. Achieving the Runner-Up award in the Best Vanden Plas catalogue of the 2016 Autumn Rally, this well presented example ran well through the photography session and is a good opportunity to acquire a very good exemplar of quality motoring.
