Highlights
- 1989 Ford-badged VMC Badsworth
- Inspired by 1920s Laundalette convertibles
- Popular as wedding cars and film/TV vehicles
- Meticulously maintained and cared for
- Cream and navy colour palette inside and out
The Appeal
So far, the 2020s haven’t lived up to the stylish and dynamic Roaring Twenties of the previous century. The 1920s was a decade of high fashion and meticulous craftsmanship, with Laudalette cars a perfect example. Combining a hard-top roof with a soft-top rear section, they enabled occupants to remain dry in winter while enjoying elegant top-down motoring in more clement conditions.
Built in 1989 to a classic inter-war design, this VMC Badsworth is a true head-turner. Its origins are unknown, but it is believed to have been constructed on a then-contemporary Ford Sierra chassis, with Blue Oval mechanicals typically ensuring robust and dependable service. The visible portion of the car comprises a stunning cream and navy two-tone body with canvas rear section, a quintet of elegant wire wheels and running boards wide enough to tap-dance on. Inside, the dashboard features three dials set into a timber oval and a couple of pull-switches behind a chunky three-spoke wooden steering wheel.
Badsworths are commonly used as wedding cars, and this particular vehicle has had the same owner for the last 20 years, being stored in a purpose-built garage. The current owner describes it as “an excellent runner, performing reliably and smoothly”, having been “well maintained and regularly serviced, reflecting the care of long-term ownership.” Indeed, the main obvious area of wear concerns the carpet in the driver’s footwell, acknowledging this car’s working life with a chauffeur company; some minor scratches are also evident across the two-tone body.
One of the great attractions of classic car ownership is being able to drive something which stands out from the contemporary herd. “This vehicle is not only an excellent runner but also a real head-turner, attracting attention wherever it goes”, states the current owner. Mating a century-old design with proven mechanicals, this is one classic with many stories yet to be written.
The History and Paperwork
- One owner for the last twenty years
- Stored in a purpose-built garage
- Reportedly maintained to a high standard
- Described as “a proven and reliable earner”
The Condition
- Regularly serviced and carefully maintained
- Only light signs of age-related wear reported
- Interior “clean, well-kept, and fully functional”
- Cream leather seats appear to be in great order
- Some signs of rust around rear luggage box
The Mechanics
- Believed to have Ford Sierra running gear
- No known mechanical issues reported
- Engine and transmission “operate as they should”
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