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.
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.
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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