In Brief:

• An honest example of BMC's range topping Vanden Plas ADO16
• Finished in Harvest Gold over leather upholstery
• Owned by The Vendor for the last 4 years
• Benefits from refurbished metalwork to the doors along with welding to the subframe

Auctioneer’s Notes:

A charming example of the 1972 Vanden Plas 1300 Princess, the luxurious range-topping derivative of BMC’s hugely successful ADO16 platform. Combining compact proportions with traditional British luxury, the Vanden Plas offered a level of refinement rarely seen in a small family saloon, with its distinctive fluted chrome grille, polished wood veneer, leather upholstery and well-appointed cabin.

This example presents in a wonderfully period colour combination, with a warm Harvest Gold-style exterior complemented by an Olive/Brown leather interior. The colour scheme suits the car particularly well, giving it a very authentic 1970s appearance and enhancing the traditional Vanden Plas character. The car has plenty of visual charm, with its compact saloon body, brightwork details and unmistakable miniature limousine styling.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Vendor reports that the car has benefitted from refurbished metalwork, particularly to the doors, along with welding to the subframe. The car has also recently received notable attention to the carburettors and fuel system.

An invoice from Greensmiths Classic & Custom, dated 31st March 2026, is included on file and totals £818.99. The invoice records 8 hours of labour, together with parts including Champion NY9C spark plugs, carburettor spindle kits, an inlet/exhaust manifold gasket, choke cable trunnion, carburettor insulator/spacers, Viton tipped needle and seat kits, a float pin, carburettor nuts and studs, Cupro-nickel fuel pipe, fuel hose, stainless clips and premium E5 petrol. The invoice is marked as paid.

The accompanying summary of work from Greensmiths Classics states that the carburettors were stripped, soda blasted, ultrasonic cleaned and rebuilt with new spindles, needles and seats. This work was carried out after debris was found in the carburettors, with sticking dampers also noted.

Due to the amount of rusty sediment found in the fuel system, the fuel tank was drained and washed out. Perished fuel hoses and the main fuel pipe were replaced, with Cupro-nickel pipe used to help route the fuel line safely away from exhaust heat. This was an important safety improvement, as the previous perished rubber hose was reportedly resting on the exhaust and considered a fire hazard.

Further work included transferring the timing mark from the flywheel to the crank pulley, setting the ignition timing as accurately as possible, replacing the spark plugs, replacing the inlet and exhaust manifold gasket, cleaning the inlet manifold, fitting new aluminium insulator plates and installing all new gaskets. The carburettors were then tuned and balanced.

Cosmetically, the car presents as an honest and characterful classic. The exterior colour gives the car real period appeal, while the interior retains the luxurious Vanden Plas ambience with leather trim and wood veneer. As shown, the front seats display areas of age-related wear, particularly to the seat facings, but this adds to the car’s usable, unrestored character rather than detracting from its charm.

History:

The history file includes the recent Greensmiths Classic & Custom invoice, dated March 2026, documenting £818.99 of work and parts associated with the carburettors, fuel pipework, manifold gasket, ignition items and associated components. This provides useful reassurance that attention has recently been paid to the car’s running, fuelling and safety-related pipework.

The Vendor also reports previous metalwork refurbishment, especially to the doors, together with welding to the subframe. These works suggest the car has received attention in key areas often associated with the long-term preservation of these models.

The Model:

The Vanden Plas 1300 Princess represented the most luxurious version of the ADO16 range, a platform also sold under Austin, Morris, MG, Riley and Wolseley branding. Powered by the familiar 1,275cc A-Series engine, the Vanden Plas combined front-wheel drive practicality with a surprisingly spacious cabin and refined road manners.

Where the Vanden Plas differed from its more utilitarian relatives was in its hand-finished luxury treatment. These models were fitted with leather upholstery, polished walnut veneer, deep carpets, distinctive badging, the traditional Vanden Plas fluted grille and fold-out rear picnic tables, giving the car the feel of a compact limousine. Period performance was respectable, with the 1,275cc engine offering usable and lively motoring for town, country lanes and regular classic use.

The model remains a particularly appealing choice for those who enjoy British 1970s charm, combining the familiar mechanical simplicity of the A-Series engine with a far more upmarket cabin than its modest dimensions might suggest.

Sale Insight:

This Vanden Plas 1300 Princess is a highly characterful example of one of Britain’s most charming compact luxury saloons. Its period factory-style colour combination, with the warm gold exterior and Olive/Brown leather interior, gives the car strong visual appeal and a wonderfully authentic 1970s presence.

With reported metalwork attention, subframe welding and a recent £818.99 invoice from Greensmiths Classic & Custom covering carburettor, fuel system and ignition-related work, this example has clearly benefitted from useful recent expenditure. Honest, distinctive and full of traditional Vanden Plas charm, this Princess would make an appealing entry into classic British motoring and offers a delightful blend of elegance, practicality and character.

Estimate:
£1,500 - £2,500