Details
THE EX-SIR LEONARD LORD 1957 AUSTIN A135 PRINCESS IV DS7 SALOON
COACHWORK BY VANDEN PLAS
Registration No. VOF 848
Chassis No. DS7/13343
Engine No. Z 56136
White with blue leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, overhead valves, 3,993cc, 150bhp at 4,100rpm; Gearbox: automatic transmission; Brakes: hydraulic drum; Suspension: front, independent coil spring, rear, semi-elliptic live axle. Right hand drive.
Austin had made a broad range of cars in the late 1930s including limousines of up to 28hp. The post-war revivals on this theme were far grander vehicles known as the A125 Sheerline and A135 Princess. The latter was a large luxury car comparable with the Mk VI Bentley, but costing ¨2,400 rather than ¨4,000. Its engine was a well proven unit also utilised by Jensen. Coachwork was by Vanden Plas, originally a Belgian firm that had established a London branch in 1912, eventually becoming independent. Vanden Plas had built fine bodies on Bentley, Talbot and Rolls-Royce cars in the 1930s. The company was acquired by Austin in 1946 and henceforth concentrated on luxury versions of this marque and contract work for the aero industry. The A135 had aluminium coachwork and was a handsome looking car that accounted for about 6,100 sales spread over eight years.
VOF 848, the Vanden Plas DS7 was built in 1957 for Sir Leonard Lord, the Chairman of B.M.C. at that time. It passed to its second owner in June 1959 receiving the benefit of a replacement Gold Seal Engine in April 1960. The vehicle was purchased by the third owner in 1971 and laid up on blocks between 1972 and 1993 when puchased by the current owner.
The present owner has spent many thousands of pounds (approximately ¨8,000 in direct renovation costs and considerable personal hours of labour) restoring the car to its present condition. The coachwork is finished in Old English White while the original blue leather upholstery is in excellent condition. The dashboard, door cappings and picnic tables finished in walnut are also in superb condition. A new headlining has been fitted. Extensive repanelling was undertaken during restoration and obviously, much mechanical work was necessary to bring the car to its present condition.
The above restoration was rewarded to the full by being entered into and winning first prize at the Vanden Plas Owners Club Annual Rally in August 1994 at Gaydon, Warwickshire. This is a rare opportunity of acquiring one of these rare vehicles, it being one of only two hundred DS7s produced. It has been lovingly restored and is in good running order and comes with a current MoT certificate.
COACHWORK BY VANDEN PLAS
Registration No. VOF 848
Chassis No. DS7/13343
Engine No. Z 56136
White with blue leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, overhead valves, 3,993cc, 150bhp at 4,100rpm; Gearbox: automatic transmission; Brakes: hydraulic drum; Suspension: front, independent coil spring, rear, semi-elliptic live axle. Right hand drive.
Austin had made a broad range of cars in the late 1930s including limousines of up to 28hp. The post-war revivals on this theme were far grander vehicles known as the A125 Sheerline and A135 Princess. The latter was a large luxury car comparable with the Mk VI Bentley, but costing ¨2,400 rather than ¨4,000. Its engine was a well proven unit also utilised by Jensen. Coachwork was by Vanden Plas, originally a Belgian firm that had established a London branch in 1912, eventually becoming independent. Vanden Plas had built fine bodies on Bentley, Talbot and Rolls-Royce cars in the 1930s. The company was acquired by Austin in 1946 and henceforth concentrated on luxury versions of this marque and contract work for the aero industry. The A135 had aluminium coachwork and was a handsome looking car that accounted for about 6,100 sales spread over eight years.
VOF 848, the Vanden Plas DS7 was built in 1957 for Sir Leonard Lord, the Chairman of B.M.C. at that time. It passed to its second owner in June 1959 receiving the benefit of a replacement Gold Seal Engine in April 1960. The vehicle was purchased by the third owner in 1971 and laid up on blocks between 1972 and 1993 when puchased by the current owner.
The present owner has spent many thousands of pounds (approximately ¨8,000 in direct renovation costs and considerable personal hours of labour) restoring the car to its present condition. The coachwork is finished in Old English White while the original blue leather upholstery is in excellent condition. The dashboard, door cappings and picnic tables finished in walnut are also in superb condition. A new headlining has been fitted. Extensive repanelling was undertaken during restoration and obviously, much mechanical work was necessary to bring the car to its present condition.
The above restoration was rewarded to the full by being entered into and winning first prize at the Vanden Plas Owners Club Annual Rally in August 1994 at Gaydon, Warwickshire. This is a rare opportunity of acquiring one of these rare vehicles, it being one of only two hundred DS7s produced. It has been lovingly restored and is in good running order and comes with a current MoT certificate.