1961 Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre Goes for a Drive

[@MerciaAnglii-x6u]

I can just about remember as a child siting in the back of my uncles Vanden Plas Princess 4-litre R, and playing with the wooden tray that folded down from the back of the front seats. I believe it was the same or similar body as this but with a Rolls Royce engine. On that day my uncle let my dad drive it. My dad said the thing that impressed him the most was how powerful the breaks were! Years later I was at Hednesford Hills Raceway, and the announcer mentioned that one of the drivers had put a Vanden Plas Princess 4-litre R engine in his race car, due to its good power to weight ratio. Being an all aluminium alloy engine.

[@olafeklund6200]

When the British motor industry was still a force to be reckoned with. Class, luxury and comfort unmatched!

[@keplermission4947]

The 4-Litre Vanden Plas had a Rolls-Royce engine from a military scout car. The reviewer doesn't mention it so best add it in as many will be expecting the 4-litre review.

[@keplermission4947]

@@garethifan1034 Yeah but ... the reviewer doesn't mention the 4-Litre and no, the 4-Litre isn't mentioned in the title.

[@petercrosland5502]

You haven't tried to get one to go round a corner - not pretty....

[@lizchatfield692]

@@keplermission4947 And 4on the floor . My husband worked on the when he was a young man . this guy is a twat.

[@paulsutton5896]

ie before the industry was killed by its trades unions.

[@brianwhite4090]

Back in the mid-sixties when I was young and helped out at a friend’s garage I had the privilege of driving one of these gorgeous vehicles for a day in automatic form! It has certainly been one of my favourites from the cracking straight six C- series engines to the superb design with a classic bonnet and grill to those fabulous rear lamp clusters sticking up like two light houses with the overriders forming an integral part of the design! Farina and VDP at their best in my humble opinion! With a few updates what a shame we don’t build them like this anymore including the very practical headlight dipping button! BMC might not have been perfect but at least it was British and if it hadn’t been bought out then things like Brexit would have worked brilliantly and this county could have still held its head up high in the world being Great Britain (GB!) not United Kingdom(U.K.) pronounced Yeuk! Thanks for a great post! Well done🇬🇧

[@daveyacarter]

My dad and uncle bought two of these and both had them for years. They were both auto and had walnut trays in the backs of the driver's seats, with silver inlays for cups and cutlery. Would love one now, a true classic piece of English country posh engineering. Pity we were a family of rough buggers with Arthur Daley and Del Trotter rolling in these 😂😂

[@BITTYBOY121]

Back in the mid 1990's I had a 1985 Austin Maestro Vanden Plas 1.6 automatic as my very first car and I absolutely loved it !...It was in a pale light blue with blue seats/interior and it had that funky digital dash (same as the MG 1600 Maestro of 1983-85) but the thing I really loved was that fake wood trim which made this car feel so posh inside lol 🙂 There is no doubt when you own a Vanden Plas car, You own something rare and exclusive ! - I now wish I hadn't traded my Vanden Plas for a beamer ! 😞

[@RexWaldron]

Now this brought back some happy memories! My Dad owned a 1962 mark 2 version with the 3 speed plus overdrive box but with a floor change. We had the wonderful picnic tables in the rear. Being a mark 2 it sported the 120 BHP version of the c series engine. Back in the 60s this was quite a quick car absolutely capable of effortless cruising at 90 mph in overdrive top, with bursts up to over 100 mph when required. It was supremely comfortable to travel in and we did regular trips from Birmingham to Devon in it back in the days when the M5 finished at Gloucester. Fantastic review! 👍👍

[@MajorKlanga]

Thanks for another interesting video. This brought back memories as my dad had one throughout my childhood. Unlike the one in the video, it was in terrible condition with cracked leather, flaky laquer on the walnut and more rust than steel. It had a fabric sunroof which didn't seal properly so every journey was a headache inducing ordeal due to the extreme wind noise. It was an ex - director's car from a liquidation sale so he got it cheap and it served us a people mover for our family of seven plus dog. The front armrests served as a booster seat for me when I was little so I could benefit from the smoke from both parents' cigarettes . Instead of seat belts my dad had a couple of drinks to "improve" his driving skills.

[@furiousdriving]

HA! Im guessing the '70s or very early 80s? A different time..

[@fridgemagnet]

that, my good man, had me laughing like a drain

[@superseven220]

Reminders of my own childhood, but in my dads Ford Zodiac with a front bench seat

[@doktoruzo]

lol...brilliant.

[@faithlesshound5621]

That reminds me that when breathalyzers and the 80 mg/100 ml limit came in, in the 1960s, many people claimed that they drove better after a drink (or three?): which to my mind means they really were not fit to drive at all.

[@simonround2439]

This is so nostalgic for me. My dad had this exact model and later bought the Princess R which boasted a four litre Rolls Royce engine plus power steering and automatic transmission. In the latter, he loved to get the needle over 100mph on the motorway, much to my mum's consternation. In the back there were wonderful walnut trays for those posh picnics. Incidentally, the model you were driving came with the ability to start the engine using a crank handle for when the battery went flat on cold winter mornings. I remember watching my dad start it this way - I can't begin to tell you how exciting it was!

[@areyouundoingthatorwhat9181]

My old neighbour up the lane who's also one of my customers has a lovely original one plus a beautiful restored grey 4 litre RR model,and a rover 90,all purchased from new.Despite being sort of neighbours for 20 years I had no knowledge of them until one day I took my Capri home,which he saw.This prompted him to reveal his own fascination with classics,I mentioned a neighbour having a same coloured 4 litre RR when I grew up not that far away from where we are now and it turned out to be his brothers car!.I never once had a conversation with him that ever mentioned any thing about any classic car up until then. Now when we talk it's of little else,It was almost as if he was of the assumption that only those in the 'club' would understand. Amazing that the companies that built such things as these are sadly no longer with us.

[@sailorhms]

I'm glad you pronounced it correctly, nothing worse than hearing someone saying Vanden Plah. Practical Classics magazine put it as Vanden Plas as in 'glass' in a feature on the coach builder a few years back. Some confusion was due to a BL adverting hook 'You go far in a Vanden Plas' which when pronounced correctly, does not sound right. It's a great selection of cars that you have on your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@asa1973100]

My mother has one new in Rhodesia, they collected the car from South Africa where all the imports came into from GB . Magnificent car I remember sitting in the back playing with the cocktail trays that pulled down .

[@martinmcdonald4207]

While glancing out the window at the starving natives, Jolly good old day`s!

[@asa1973100]

No not at all we just used to bounce them off those big chrome bumpers…

[@lachlanmaccormack5427]

One of my Dad's Company cars back in the 60s. Used to get extra pocket money by cleaning it at weekends. A labour of Love really.

[@danieleregoli812]

Oh wow, what a stunning beauty! One of my favourite barges.... So so so elegant and dignified. Really rather lovely. And that amazing-sounding straight six is the icing on the cake. I remember falling desperately in love with one (sage green over emerald green, or something..) as a 10-year old.... she was for sale in Plymouth...

[@harleyblue999]

The Boss of where i worked back in the day purchased one of these for his sons 21st only with a rolls Engine,we all stood outside to wish him his birthday,they were the first to rent Televisions in those days,all gone now but the father was a lovely man.

[@gillesmathon561]

I had a Austin Cambridge in 1962, Kepped it 4 years and lost in in a accident....I loved it very much. I live in Canada and in those times we had the Austin, Mg's, Oxford and rare Princess . But for Canada it had a lot of flows....like the head lights who where of bulbs, I transfer them to seal beam. Much better vision. Also the heater was well below the need that we had, I made a simple recicling air cirvcuit that help , as at -25 farenheit..... Alos the straight 12 volts battery circuit made the starting practicla impossible, the voltage to the 12 volt coil was down to 5-7 volts so no sparks at the plugs. I change that also and with a coil ans a resistance and a 6 volt coil I had plenty of sparks at the plugs.....Also the generator, giving 30 amp but at about 2800rpms, imagine in the trafic with ald the accessories(lignt , heater, running current, radio, you would take out of the batteri 30 amps and the gen. not producing anything, , well the batt. went dead quickly. I manage to fit an alernator 45 amps and transformed it to positif groung from neg. and ll my problems where resolved. I visited almost of Canada and the Us with that car......and so comfy to. After 500 milles, you got out almost fresh from the seats. Bye

[@patrickt016]

The only British motoring journalist who can pronounce Vanden Plas correctly! Brilliant, thank you! Lovely review btw!

[@AR-jx6wr]

Your saying it wrong. It is spelled Vanden Plas but it’s pronounced Throat Warbler Mangrove.

[@furiousdriving]

Only in French

[@jusb1066]

It's like chalmondly. ...

[@AJC508]

Indeed, it does somewhat resemble a luxury yacht.

[@Ribeirasacra]

@@furiousdriving kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp7WlZ2ondVsnK8 No Flemish.

[@fridgemagnet]

@@AJC508 were you the only one who got it?

[@friedjohn]

At 12:04 I find that the old style floor pedal for main/low beam switch absolutely does make sense. I suppose you have to get used to it, but it allows you to keep both your hands firmly on the steering wheel and use your otherwise idle left foot to dip the beam. This is particularly useful when driving fast on B-roads at night where you need to place the car precisely on the road even though the glare from the oncoming car can be a bit distracting. In my youth I had an old MGB as my daily driver for many years and I felt myself very comfortable with this setup. And I never felt the need to toggle the lights while changing gears. I don't drive much like that anymore (fast at night on minor roads), and main beam switches are all hand operated now, so I guess most people feel like you. Great video, yet again, and fantastic car from the Golden Age of British cars

[@furiousdriving]

I can see the reasoning, but was taught to dip/undip with fingertips and not taking my hand off the wheel, I guess you'd get used to it but it seems harder!

[@martiniv8924]

My dad had one (3 litre) in about 1970-71 3 speed manual overdrive, two tone paint, the interior leather and wood was beautiful, the exterior paint perfect, only the underneath was attacked by the tin worms overtime ! His boss had the choice of a Monteverdi 375 hi speed, and a new Toyota 2,600 crown estate, but he regularly borrowed my dads 3 litre for the trip back home to Northampton

[@rickfinney7894]

Thank you so much for the correct pronunciation of the name Vanden Plas. I really appreciate it when folks do research and just don't take things for granted. :)

[@chrisdorrell1]

Shame he is WRONG

[@johngraham6181]

We had the Princess Vanden Plas R 4li with the Rolls Royce engine. Went like a train with plus 124mph. More rounded tail fins.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

The rounded tail fins really added a more discreet look.

[@michaelmontagu3979]

My mother owned 3 of them. Lovely cars.

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

The Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre oozes character and charm. It would be fun to see you do a similar inspection and drive of the later Princess 4 Litre R.

[@protestagain]

That car is from a different world. We could only afford a used Ford Anglia at that time, then the Vauxhall Victor a little later. A private car was still a luxury at that time.

[@greygtv6]

Times have changed. Nowdays 21 year olds bemoan the fact that they can't afford a house while holding a £1000 phone in their hands.

[@johnorchin8567]

What a beauty, the interior smell and the sheer character of those cars fabulous. I had a neighbour back in the day who had one, all in black and chrome with auto transmission, as a teenager I lusted after that car.

[@matador521]

Blimey O bloody Reilly! I've lived all these years and never known how to pronounce Vanden Plas. Fine presentation, just the right balance of technical information and actual driving.

[@JPoulAndersson]

My father had one with the 4 litre Rolls engine for some time in the eighties, pretty car with superb engine!

[@golfmother3141]

yes we had the rolls engined 4 litre model imported to OZ , so i was a bit comfused never knew they did a 3 litre .

[@Ampex196]

The inlet over exhaust Rolls Royce FB60 engine could be a pile of trouble.

[@doubledee9675]

@@Ampex196 Yes, I've never heard it described as superb engine before. More often a bonnetful of trouble. The car overall is the normal BMC stodge of the late 50s. Slightly faster than the B-engineered cousins but that's about all you can say in its favour.

[@doubledee9675]

@Jim Drew The car itself would roll off the road - all that weight on the front wheels made it understeer its way into the bushes.

[@jimlogan2329]

Looks great. What was the fuel consumption like?

[@dermotohara902]

I own a restored 1963 3 Litre mkii Princess in Canada No older car drives like a modern car, but the old ones are a ton of fun. Really enjoyed your video and the other ones you have done.

[@mixalism1318]

As beautiful and as rare as these were- there was a rarer big Farina BMC. It wasn't the 4L R, but the Wolseley 6/110 automatic...with Air Conditioning! Seriously though, it's so interesting how much this differs from the Austin variation. Love that sound of the C series.

[@jemma_19988]

loads of nice 6110s in new zealand

[@robertp.wainman4094]

I love the grille - unlike the reviewer I think it gives a certain look of friendly power! Whatever happened to comfort in modern cars - sacrificed for quicker cornering?

[@paul1153]

I always thought the English pronounced it as Vanden Plar.

[@furiousdriving]

I did too, but Id heard plass and plarrs and all sorts, but I knew that as this is The Internet I needed a definitive answer!

[@MGBetts1]

How do you pronounce Latte? It's Lattee, NOT "Lartay!"

[@pauldavies6037]

yes most of the radio and tv announcers said "Plar" at the time

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

@@MGBetts1 True story, when I was in Italy last year and ordered a Latte they gave me a glass of warm milk.

[@MGBetts1]

@@ingvarhallstrom2306 - I don't even like Latte - it's just an excuse to charge you an extortionate fee when all you want is a normal cup of coffee.

[@promerops]

A small coincidence: The South African monthly "Car" magazine does a regular affordable classics feature. For the April edition (which I am still reading), they review the Austin Vanden Plas 3-litre and the Princess R. When our family arrived in SA, back in November 1964, we were met off the ship (HMS Cape Town Castle) by my father's new employer's Personnel (none of this HR stuff then) Manager, given a quick tour of the CBD and taken to our hotel. This in his Princess. On subsequent days he took us around to look at houses in the general vicinity of where Dad would be working. Somewhat more leisurely days.

[@AlejjSi]

14:45 Wow, that's probably the first time I saw a uncovered gear stick on the steering column. It shows nicely the mechanism that actually changes gears when the stick is not on the floor. Oh and I know why the driver's side door don't have the pocket hole in them - because your hired driver isn't supposed to carry stuff with him, he's just supposed to carry you safely where you want to go 😁

[@anviltech1839]

Great video. Currently restoring a 1965 Austin Westminster 6110. Hopefully one day I will get to drive it ...

[@danieleregoli812]

My dream garage sees this car sitting next to a Rover P5B V8 coupe. ;-)

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Yours as well? Mine has an added Mercedes 280 S 1970 and a Ford Taunus 26M Coupe of the same year in it.

[@nigelh4617]

I think that bank managers liked these cars, because the doors closed with the same, solid sound as their bank's safe door.

[@richardwish472]

I owned one of these, as well as a Wolsey 6/110. The cars were completely different cars. The Wolesly was flashy but the VP was much heavier, incomparably better built with fabulous seats and superb trim and sound deadening. The column change suited the car perfectly. I ran it on radial van tyres and it handled very well. I'll probably get shot but I preferred it to my P5B.

[@lindagray2282]

When I was a teenager back in the 60’s in Glasgow, only posh people drove Vanden Plas. All the “bad boys” drove the PB Rovers, gang leaders drove the coupe version. 😄💁‍♀️😄

[@lindagray2282]

PS, when I was 20 I owned a Wolseley 6/110, Yip It was flashy especially for a girl. My boyfriend owned a 3.5 PB I always saw it as being a “bad boys” car. 😃

[@stuartmoles843]

My dad had one of these, the car that picked me up from the hospital when I was born. Black with red leather. Replaced with a Vauxhall Viscount 3.3 litre that seemed very American in comparison

[@allanriches9381]

Beautiful British craftmanship, with a superb silky smooth six

[@Peasmouldia]

My elder brother bought one in about 1965. He claimed that he got it cheap 'cause the seller was going into holy orders and had cut him a solid deal. I still have my doubts about that...... My Mum and Dad got chauffeured around in it for a while. Fabulous smell of wood and leather and money....

[@davidgifford8112]

Having driven a car with a foot peddle dip and main light switch, I personally think it’s the best control solution.

[@vernonmatthews181]

My second Viva HB Deluxe 90 in the colonies of NZ had a "Beam-Switch" on the floor, which was unusual because they were normally on the stalk.😊

[@ridbanner1407]

My current classic a bond bug has it and it makes for relaxed B road driving.

[@clarkkent2913]

Imagine driving this beauty on a sunday afternoon through a nice countryside (Kent comes to my mind, but I'm open for other locations with nice trees and wide areas of juicy green grass), stopping in a small village at a pub which serves fresh scones on a sunny terrace, crickets are doing their sunday afternoon job, small river nearby is gluggling... You have a look over the fence on the long bonnet of your Princess, sipping a cup of tea... (Ok, I do not like tea at all, I would chose a café doblo, doesn't matter). Wonderful.

[@joshuarosen6242]

It most certainly does matter. Coffee is not suitably English. This is most certainly a tea and scone (or possibly crumpets) car, not a coffee and doughnuts car.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

Don’t forget theses cars normally would have a chauffeur so you would need to be raised above him in the rear, I actually thought the floor switch on the floor was a brilliant idea especially on twisting country roads when you want both your hands on the wheel at all times. My brother had the Wolsey version In dark blue other drivers got quite nervous when they saw him coming thinking he was the ole bill.😂

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

You forgot that ingenious ROVER SD1, such a sad union disease story. I had one and loved everything about its body function, interior comfort, even the military style dash (and necessary to do left or right hand steering), yes, that lovely rear hatch...... The body styling however needed to be refined just little extra to place in the high design level being achieved by others. As a daily family ride, the V8 was sufficed for the average competent driver and his brood. Had it been assembled correctly, following a Quality driven programme to ensure parts and systems functioned with reliability, it would have driven the UK export market for a decade. Management AND worker complacency destroyed that which they created. Just like Boing today.......

[@furiousdriving]

The downfall of BL, destroyed by management and unions working against each other is worth a series of videos or an entire book (just like Boeing!) The stories Ive heard about cars with beer cans in the doors, a LHD dash with RHD pedals left at a dealer, all sorts of incredible slackness. The SD1 should have been a world beater. Those that have survived are now excellent as it was intended as owners have made them good! Another video waiting to happen

[@69Phuket]

My Dad had a Wolsey 16/60 in grey. Soon had it badly painted 2 tone grey /maroon. 1.6 60 HP wasn't important, because hauling the beast was pure luxury. Fascinated at the fact they had a bulb in the front badge. ;) Port Out Sideboard Home. POSH with a Capital P.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Totally gorgeous. Thank you so much for clarifying the pronunciation. Cheers.

[@654Geoff]

I drove one in 1967 and the 4 litre R, which had a lorry engine or so it was considered. 😎 Never had a car since that I've liked better.

[@valandilelfstone]

Ono of my school mates parents bought one of these around 1969 and I remember the back seats had built in pill down trays in he loved showing off I ;oved the wood trims

[@calumbaxter9946]

I had one twenty years ago in the same colour scheme. Wish I had never sold EML 5B which is still on the road. Great car very comfortable and imposing. It was stolen once in 1997 but the police found it after the thief collided with the Blackwall tunnel. I now have an Austin Maestro Vanden Plas. And yes you have pronounced it correctly as the Flemish would say it (I grew up in Belgium) although BL called it Vanden Plah in promotional films.

[@furiousdriving]

'collided with the Blackwall Tunnel' - is now my quote of the week! I wondered where the Plah came from as so many people say it that way

[@calumbaxter9946]

furiousdriving haha the tunnel was unharmed! And I have no idea why people say Plah, maybe it sounds posher but I get fed up with people trying to correct me when I say Plas!

[@thomascarroll9556]

Well if BL called it Plah that’s what it is, just as your own name is how you pronounce it - Calum not Kaylum

[@calumbaxter9946]

Thomas Carroll just because BL pronounced it one way does not make it correct; and my “own” name is has never been mispronounced, it is pretty straightforward!

[@thomascarroll9556]

Calum B well as it is their car then they chose the name/pronunciation, like a parent chooses their child’s name, I know two Anthonys, one uses “Antony” as the pronunciation and the other An thon ee,

[@zaibkhan5037]

absolutely beautiful. we had one for a short time back in the 70s the back of the front seats had pull down tables . thank for sharing the drive

[@hunchanchoc8418]

Volvo 164, not 144 or 140. :-)

[@paulbroderick8438]

Back in the day when 'pride of ownership' really meant something. No stupid useless add on' s just beautiful and practical.

[@rogersaxon7671]

Exquisite. Thanks from Buenos Aires- Argentina- Congratulations for the class! Wonderful!

[@Brandubh1965]

This brings back a memory or 3, I was driving a Triumph mark 1 (white) and one of these ran into the back of me. This was in the early 90's in Auckland Nz.

[@Landie_Man]

The same drivers door handle exists in Fairway Taxis up until 1997

[@jackcro8825]

I had one in the 70’s it was a 1965 model once you got it rolling it was a great cruise.

[@Ampex196]

'Lighter' steering in reverse is due to opposite castor. The castor angle keeps the the car directionally stable and provides self centering when driving forwards. Reverse at speed and it will try to throw itself over to full lock. Your pronunciation of Vanden Plas is of course correct!

[@furiousdriving]

Thank you!

[@roberthatfull3816]

There where two of these down the road from me that a old fella had they where his pride and joy and allways polished every sunday but when he died hes son kept one and the other one was sold to a banger racer further up the street . Shame as it wasnt rusty and in great condition .

[@sunbeam8866]

I love the Farina cars, including the Fiats, Peugeots and BMC. And as much as the fins have been reviled over the years, if you drive one of these, you realize that, combined with the large windows, they are actually a safety feature. Though not styled by Farina, I owned a couple '60s Mercedes with the modest fins, and they were visible from the driver's seat, allowing me to see the rear corners of the car while backing up - something that's impossible on so many of today's vehicles !

[@furiousdriving]

Indeed, and on the Rover P6 they gave you little light tabs so you could see the corners at night

[@davidhynd4435]

Thank you for taking the time to check the pronunciation. Vahnden Plahss is correct. The Austin Cambridge, Morris Oxford and Wolseley 15/60 were definitely available here in Australia (assembled locally from CKD kits as far as I'm aware), but I'm not sure the Princess was sold here. Probably the Wolseley version was regarded as posh enough to warrant not bothering with the lesser known (here) Vanden Plas name.

[@thebitlot]

One thing that amazes me about vintage british luxury is how they had all that wood in there but no headrests. Edit: I know very few automakers offered headrests in their car in those days. I'm just saying it seems like a common sense element of comfort and luxury by modern standards, and I'm surprised they didn't think to put them in back then.

[@megapangolin1093]

Safety was not the least consideration at all in cars at that time, no one talked about whiplash, it was all down to a fact of life if you were injured in a car crash, a bit like not having safety kit when using an axe- if you injured yourself you just got on with life, bad luck and all that. It just wasn't thought about. Volvo started to sell cars on safety and it all took off from there.

[@RichieRouge206]

Such a cool car and great review! My V70 has rear seats higher than the fronts (and higher roof liner) to afford the passengers a better view. What ever happened to luxury rather this bloody annoying obsession with ‘sportiness’

[@andicog]

I think only the French bother with comfort anymore, everyone else wants to get round the Nurburgring as fast as possible. I borrowed a new Focus, looked great, nice wheels but the bump thump and tyre noise were a joke, have a Skoda Karoq and that's the same. Take me back to comfy cars.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

I got a Peugeot 309, an old basic economy car from the 1980s, and it's somehow more comfortable than a brand new Mercedes-Benz S class, so yeah, the french have mastered comfort if you ask me.

[@George-hs2zm]

My first car was an Allegro Vanden Plas, i loved the little picnic tables. Im a big fan of wood and leather, now got an 04 Range Rover Vogue, more leather than a herd of cows.

[@mikehawes4935]

Stunning , I love these cars , imagine popping down the shops in it

[@TheProfessional99]

Wow. What a wonderful car, and a superb video again Matt. Thanks so much!

[@nygelmiller5293]

Did you notice the fantastic grain on that dashboard? Personally I'd have it rubbeddown, and refurbished in RED. That would contrast with the grain, and bring it right up to date - and red woodwork would look cool with the colours of this car!

[@neilhall676]

Lovely old car. I remember one would see them quite regularly on the road. I think they would be quite cheap to run as a second car/ weekends only compared to a Bentley/ RR series 1-3. Don’t know what the spares situation is like, but one has to join the club.

[@Ribeirasacra]

8:54. The brake light is for warning that the vacuum reservoir for the servo is low. Thus you don't have servo brakes. There are pipes running from the servo to the front along the inner wing. The reservoir is located behind the nearside front headlamp. See 1:42 for the route Right hand switches: The two switches labelled F are for fog lamps one each side. The centre witches: In the video I could not see the labelling, as you describe. However, wipers are two speed. Heater blower single speed. Overdrive if engaged (knob pushed in) at the correct revs. If not it will disengage. However I have read that is should not be engaged when reversing or when undertaking a lot of hill work. It gives the effect of free wheeling!

[@jimbrown2044]

I think I'm right in saying that when they first came out in mid 1959 these cars were badged as simply princess 3 litres.the vanden plas was added after about 6 months production.

[@furiousdriving]

The Princess name badge is worth a video in itself as the ways it changed use across the various years and cars was far to convoluted to go into here!

[@MGBetts1]

I'm so glad to hear someone who can pronounce "Vanden Plas" properly. I love these! 🥰🥰🥰

[@mikec3698]

WRONG WRONG WRONG RON /// PRONOUNCED VANDEN PLA. What absolute plebs.

[@MGBetts1]

@@mikec3698 - You're right - your pronunciation IS wrong!

[@bernardjharmsen304]

Yep, ask a Flemish/Dutch for correct pronunciation; 'fundin plus'

[@charleskrutzen94]

Plas with an s, not without one. I’m Dutch and Antwerp, in Belgium is Flemish, Dutch speaking (sort of at least). I hope that’ll be clear for ever, madam Bucket!

[@MGBetts1]

@@charleskrutzen94 - I'm afraid there's SOME who just won't listen, no matter how right you are.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Matt, great video about his Vanden Plas Princess,I haven't seen these on the road,but what a motor to review about.

[@monck55]

Thanks for a very interesting, enjoyable and informative video on an important part of our motoring heritage.

[@huwdavies6650]

Very similar body profile to the Peugeot 404. Probably due to the fact both were penned at around the same time by Pininfarina.

[@scopex2749]

This is just like my parents old car! I went with my father to collect it FROM the factory BRAND NEW. I have photos of me stood it! I was alone for the first 10 years of my life, my brother coming later. So I had the whole back seat of the car on journeys on holidays. But our model had drop down walnut tables in the back of the front seats, as ouras was the 'face lift' model. I used those tables for my colouring books! This car was to me, the closest we would ever get to a Rolls Royce! In fact they made a 'Vanden Plas Princess R', with a 4.0 litre Rolls Royce engine, no less for that model THAT was the flagship! My father stood me on the roof once at an air display....IT WAS BUILT LIKE A CHIEFTAIN TANK........how many cars these days can we do that with with out the roof going bad.....DOING like a coke tin! They were built of heavy guage steel hence WHY there are many still around! I still remember its lovely leathery smell and the heavy CLUMP as the doors were closed! When tired I would lie done on the huge back seat and doze off with our car blanket over me - sweet dreams! This took me back to the happy days when our parents were still with us and life in the 60's was SUPERB so much better than todays awful world. GREAT REVIEW.👍👏👏👏👏

[@timonsolus]

I adore this car! It absolutely deserves a garage, though, it would be criminal to leave it out in the rain, even under a tarp.

[@kellypaws]

How high do you have to jack this car? In my dad's experience of BMC, till it goes through all of the rust and hits a B pillar.

[@charleskrutzen94]

Great! Thanx for this video. I have a booklet in front of me from the Dutch Alkenreeks, about cars above 12,000 Dutch guilders. That booklet was printed in 1960 or 1961. In it this car with the licence plate VTH 818. That car cost 18,450 Dutch guilders. For comparison, also in this little book, a Jaguar Mark IX was 25,550 guilders and a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 69,000, a Humber Super Snipe: 16,900 and a Jag Mk 2 you could have for 19,375 in the Dutch currency

[@brentfairlie9159]

My favorite BMC Farina ever

[@vernonmatthews181]

So its pronounced Vanden Plas of Flemish-Dutch origin. Under the bonnet, that huge battery next to the C series N-S 6 cylinder engine. Wondered what electrical accessories dictated that ? Servo & front discs for 1961 was ahead of its time. That side benchseat handbrake I believe was the same as the period Rover. That central reverse light looks like mk2 triumph Herald / Vitesse. So the fuel tank occupies the boot under parcel shelf, that was also an idea shared with Triumph. I had a maternal cousin who had a Wolseley 6/110 back in the early 80's. A very much landed gentry car, alas, I'm a humble commoner out in the colonies, however, I am a tudor descendant from my mothers 👩 distinguished family line, thanks for the appraisal of the prestigious 1961 duo-tone Vanden Plas 😊

[@judethaddaeus9742]

As an American, one of the things I don’t quite understand is why nearly every carburetted British car until the 1990s had a manual choke. American cars were using automatic chokes universally since the early 1950s. It’s amazing to me how late British cars (and more basic European cars) adopted this feature. Does anyone have any insight as to why? It’s a bit odd to me that a coachbuilt luxury car like the VDP Princess 3-Litre would lack such a feature in the ’60s.

[@silvereith]

What an amazing barge! I thought it had a PRNDL at first but it's got a three up a tree. The engine was of course the lump they used in the Healey 3000 with lower compression and a soft cam. They were broken for the motor and serious banger racers. In period you could hear them dissovling in the rain.

[@bactanite]

The button on the floor for the bright lights is also found in older American cars.

[@thomascatford2627]

In the uk its called a dip switch

[@RichardTruscott]

Great to see this one still in such good condition. Used to belong to an old friend of mine in South Devon. The manual mk 1 is really rare now

[@timcarpenter2441]

Stately comfort, leather, wood, column change and oodles of torque. I do so love column changes - very conveneint. Always takes me back to my Saab 96 V4.

[@frothe42]

This reminds me of a Peugeot of the same era, the 404. The seating needs a refurbishment, otherwise a glorious vehicle!

[@BungleBare]

Pininfarina were a bit cheeky, in that they sold the same basic car design to BMC, Fiat and Peugeot. No wonder this reminds you of the 404 - you’ve spotted the connection. Pininfarina even managed arguably the same trick in the late ‘80s - just look at the Alfa Romeo 164 and the Peugeot 605. The same basic design, derived from their earlier Peugeot 405.

[@frothe42]

@@BungleBare I believe HubNut mentioned the Pininfarina connection between this beautiful marque and the Peugeot. I just love this look, and most classic vehicles from all over the world.

[@paulbennell3313]

Cars like this don't have seats. They have two big chairs in the front and a big squashy settee in the back. Six cylinder goodness mandatory.

[@rydermike33]

I'm imagining that array of cucumber sandwiches and buttered scones beneath the dash. What a wonderful motor car, beautiful. (My wife was taught to drive in one!) Many thanks Matt.

[@davmar5648]

Lovely car. I prefer this to the Rolls engined one which went up in price dramatically from this one and was completely un competitive hence low sales . This c series engined one a good choice.

[@theuktoday4233]

Remember going for a drive I've in a family friends one of these about 50 years ago and I thought it was a Rolls-Royce

[@alanjones1681]

my old boss had one ( not the rolls royce engined one ) and he allowed me to drive it ,even just passed my test aged 17-18 , lovely car to drive ,and first auto i drove

[@rossfreeman1307]

Good, but I'd liked you to have tested the overdrive unit on 2nd and 3rd gears. Best Wishes from Ross in Oz. I use the O/D in my MGB all the time.

[@timothybray7913]

Yes I wish you had demonstrated the overdrive/freewheel!

[@fionacarstairs7326]

Interesting video but having just read a reputable car mag that states the "S" is not silent .... But no matter, I am the proud owner of a Humber Imperial , in fact the 6th one I have owned . It would be great to see a back to back honest appraisal of the two cars . My Imperial being built in the Rolls Royce factory of Thrupp and Maberley and using a unique 6 cylinder twin carb petrol set up with a type 35 BW auto box it wafts along on its selectaride suspension and makes little of extended motorway trips . Current values of Humbers are extremely low and therefore parts are very cheap unlike the values of the Wessie/ Vanden Plas which for good ones seem to be colossal But which is the best ? For my money the Farina design is boxy forboding, dark inside and very "Morris oxfordish" using the same body parts as also the Austin Cambridge . The Humber on the other hand is light and airy, transcontinental styling, quad headlights and the car of choice for ministerial duty ,

[@draftdodgerscom]

Great review, I'd really like to see you have a drive in a 4 litre 'R' sometime to compare the two.

[@mattw8332]

Another week of grind done, get home, open up KZbin and see what treat is in store on the Furious Driving channel. Good Times. As HubNut would say. 🙂

[@furiousdriving]

Good times indeed!

[@paulpalmtree9295]

Lovely quality built British classic car.

[@theodor12]

If James May was a car...

[@owengoodspeed5763]

"From The Pond". What an impressive name for a luxury car! :-) But seriously, these were lovely cars. The father of a school friend had a brand new Wolseley 6/110 mk 2 I still remember how quiet and smooth it was together with all that leather and polished wood.

[@mazambane286]

I don't speak fluent Dutch or Flemish. But I can speak Afrikaans. And in all three of those languages a plas is any body of water really. But I'd imagine in this case it would mean lake as opposed to pond? In Afrikaans it term is generally only used to refer to a puddle. So really Land Rover's should carry that title as they all leave a puddle of oil behind.

[@stevieh7322]

I recall trawling the classifieds for my first car in 1980 and came across one of these with the Rolls engine. Loved it. Ended up with a brown '74 Honda Civic.

[@sarto7bellys]

It was a Vanden Plass in Birmingham in the 70’s / 80’s

[@blackbeauty206]

You didn’t mention the model that followed “Vanden Plah “ silent. S” full title (Rolls Royce 4 litre R). Gone with pinin wings I know the lump is pure Rolls not sure but it maybe 4litre not sure if it is ohv inlet & side valve. exhaust fhead configuration good on mate. good review.

[@blackbeauty206]

Sorry Automatics we’re not that popular in the 1950/1960s because they weren’t that When arrive reliable Borgwarner 35 was the. Go to and your Rover 3500 was greatly compromised

[@ronfisher2-railwaytravelvideos]

I went on a tour of the Vanden Plas works in Kingsbury c.1968 or 1969. They were overhauling and re-trimming the Queen Mother's Princess Limousine at the time, so we all took turns to sit in the back!