1970 Vanden Plas Princess

The car is being sold as part of a large private collection. It has been on static display as a museum exhibit for a number of years so, consequently, our assessment of it is made purely on the grounds of its appearance. 

It will require recommissioning and is sold strictly as seen. The only history or paperwork available is displayed in the photo gallery.  In most cases the papers shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. 

The cars, while located in Greece, may be subject to your local rate of import VAT. 

Please contact freddie.woodd@bonhams.com should you have further questions.

We understand that the car was extensively restored in Greece in 2013/14.

It is in very good condition today and, as far as we can tell, still has a decent amount of residual originality - particularly in the interior. 

The Vanden Plas Princess really was a rather grand car back in the day, and you can get a sense of the scale of its lofty pretensions just from looking at that distinctly stately front grille and its fine red coachlines.

We can see from some accompanying photographs that the car was previously grey and looking rather unloved prior to purchase and restoration.

Today it is shade of green akin to British Racing Green and looks like the classy and expensive vehicle it once was.

The bodywork looks straight and true to us and we’ve seen no dinks, dents, creases or other aberrations of consequence anywhere.

The shut lines and panel gaps appear even and true, and the paint has a good depth of shine and lustre to it. 

The wheels look to be in very good order, as does the chrome-work.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all look fine from what we can see.

Anyone looking at the interior of this Vanden Plas would be forgiven for thinking that this was a Jaguar or even a Bentley of the era.

The trademark flourishes of British automotive luxury are everywhere to see; picnic tables, polished burr veneers, reading lights, etc.

The olive-green upholstery, which looks as if it could well be original, is reasonable, but there are quite a few scuffs and marks in evidence, plus a split in the passenger seat squab.   

From what we can see of it, the wood veneers on the dashboard, door cappings and picnic tables seem to have resisted the temptation to crack, fade or shed their lacquer, and the carpets and mats are beyond reproach.

The headlining looks a little scruffy and stained in places.

The boot, which is currently un-carpeted, looks clean and solid.

Having neither started nor driven the car, we can’t vouch for the efficacy of any controls, switches, gauges, dials or other mechanical or electrical systems and components.

The engine and engine bay look exceptionally clean, dry, bright and shiny, with everything in its right and proper place.

The paperwork includes copies of Greek documents, a few receipts and bills, some photographs of the car prior to restoration, and an exhaustive, itemised list of work carried out during the restoration. 

These were luxurious, capable, refined cars when new and came with a price tag to match.

If fewer than 70 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 models are thought to survive, we can only surmise that a far smaller number of that dwindling cohort are in LHD configuration.

All of which makes this a fine example of a vanishingly rare car.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €3,000 - €5,000

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Athens, Greece. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.