1967 Vanden Plas Princess 4 ltr R

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £5,000, then £250 is added, making the total amount payable of £5,250.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition, we think this RHD auto Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre R (VIN: VRS36323) is a generally good example of a rare model.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with very little history and no service records.

We know that the car was built in late 1966 for the 1967 model year.

We believe that when new it had ‘Black over Carlton Grey’ paintwork and a blue interior.

Today, it is black over green with a black interior.

We know that it was alive and well and living in or around Frankfurt in 2006 and may well have been doing so for many years before and after that date.

We know that its mileage today is 42,324 miles.

We understand that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2015.

And we’re purely guessing, from the ribbons tied to the door handles, that it may last have been out and about as a wedding vehicle.

The bodywork is fairly true, the panels are pretty straight, but there are a few minor dinks, dimples and dents in various places around the car.

All shut lines and door gaps are pretty consistent and even, although the front passenger’s door is currently refusing to open.

The black over green paintwork is good in parts, and less so in others.

There are cracks to the paint and some bubbling around the o/s/r fin and at the top and bottom of the o/s/f wing.

There is what looks like evidence of a previous repair in some rough paint and scuffing on top of the n/s/f wing.

There are scratches on the o/s/r door.

There is bubbling in the sills below both front doors.

The chrome work is in a poor state on the bumpers but is OK elsewhere, including on the hubcaps.

The wheels appear to be in good condition.

The interior condition is similar to the exterior – in other words, reasonably good but some way from perfect.

The upholstery on the front bench seat has splits in it on both the passenger’s and driver’s sides.

Those aside, the seating is comfortable, supportive and seems to be in good structural order.

The rear seats are in good condition.

Remarkably, given the car’s age, there is a drinks fridge built into the centre armrest.

The door cards are good, as are the carpets and mats.

There are no tears or rips in the headlining but it is pretty grubby and needs a good clean.

The wood and veneers on the dashboard, picnic tables and door cappings are in decent condition.

There is a split in the dashboard trim and some of the padding under the dashboard on the driver’s side is dropping down.

Some paint has flaked off the metal surrounds to the air vents at the base of the windscreen.

The instruments, gear selector and steering wheel are very much of their era and are in good condition.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start the vehicle.

The boot looks fine.

Everything we can see underneath looks to have a reasonable of structural integrity, although there is rust dust and some flaking in evidence.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself.

The engine and engine bay are clean and dry and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this. Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals prove to be in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this Princess R could well prove to be a rewarding car to own, drive and enjoy.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £5,000 - £8,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.