Leyland Princess Limousine tested in The Netherlands! Woodall Nicholson Kirklees

[@MattBrownbill]

We had one of these for my Grandpa's funeral, we had a good chat with the driver about it, in honour of my Grandpa's love of all things car related.

[@carllawrence787]

And I will meet him one day here on earth in paradise conditions.

[@paulbennell3313]

In the late 80's, a mate of mine worked at a garage. Sometimes he'd come home in the garage's "pool car", in other words, if anyone needed to borrow a car, that was the one. It was an immaculate 2.2HLS. It floated along and had brown velour seats and it was a superbly comfortable car. Fast? Not really, no but that wasn't the point. These were very good "loping" cars, you could undertake a long journey in one and arrive at your destination fresh as a daisy instead of feeling beaten up and flustered. I loved it but I don't know what happened to it.

[@matleics]

I immediately think Terry And June 😂😂

[@isthereanybodyoutthere9397]

Haha! But I am sure I was at an event somewhere and saw somebody drive a jet powered hearse. The way to go if I'm correct!

[@35dononeill]

And James May.

[@JohnMintyTech]

Almost John Shuttleworth ...

[@paulbennell3313]

@@JohnMintyTech "Good evening everyone, I'm John Shuttleworth, versatile singer/songwriter from Sheffield, South Yourkshire."

[@paulbennell3313]

"JOOOON!!"

[@davidhinkson8856]

Another unusual car - I remember an episode of Keeping Up Appearances where Mrs. Bucket's sister Rose was dating a funeral director who came to the house in the hearse version of this car.

[@Blackadder75]

Richard!!!!!!!!

[@bernhardkuhn5676]

"No triangle of doom" - so this car can not be bad at all!

[@caw25sha]

@@bernhardkuhn5676 Some might say the whole car is a triangle of doom 😆

[@ablestringer9063]

I was extremely miffed when I saw my grandad's hearse was a Princess based vehicle. That was in 1986. Clearly I've not got over it.

[@notroll1279]

I've always wondered how there are converted Daimler Limousines or even Rolls Royces used as hearses in the UK... Mind you, on my last trip to Italy I saw a Maserati based hearse (parked, so I can't say if they kept the exhaust note...).

[@AndrewAllen-m3h]

There was one of those in an episode of Father Ted! It ended up in flames.

[@Mr.Clingclong]

In 1984 my grandma died and her coffin was carried in a Princess hearse. What disappointed me the most about this awkward vehicle was that when the car was converted they re-used the tail lights but they turned them on their end. As we followed the hearse in a nineteen sixties Princess that's all I could look at, the stupidly wrong lights. It certainly ruined my day!

[@notroll1279]

@@Mr.Clingclong Sounds like otherwise, you really would have enjoyed the funeral...

[@2760ade]

@@notroll1279 Doesn't everyone love a good funeral?🤣🤣

[@nickc4518]

Wow that is spectacularly slow. Perfect Hubnut territory.

[@callumk5]

I have always liked the Princess. The proportions look even better as a limousine.

[@robbyxp1]

My father, a funeral director, had one of those. Kept pristine for the customers family!

[@Lizzard-t]

My dad purchased a 2200 HL in white with a brown vinyl roof.used it for towing our caravan.many a fond memories of travelling through south of France with 5 people and a caravan on tow . He later swapped it for a Red Ambassador HL . more luxurious but didn't have the power of the 2200 . Absolutely wonderful video.

[@marksntl7632]

I missed buying a 2200HLS Limo back in the 90's. It was the ex-Mayor of Romsey's Limo so it did not have the extra row of seats as far as I'm aware. So assume the driver had more room to move the seat back. I phoned the seller and he sold it 30 minutes before I called him.

[@chrisrand5185]

My Father-in-law had an early Wolsely version of the wedge in black which was far more luxurious than the limo. The boot was very large, but you had to virtually climb in to reach the furthest items.

[@patsyroberts3967]

I once saw a hearse and a couple of limos on their way to a funeral, coffin in the hearse. I don't know if they were late but they weren't being vary sedate, they were hammering it!!

[@Electrowave]

Look at all the lovely space around that engine! 🙂

[@markpirateuk]

I passed my test the 1800 manual version, when I got home, I removed the rear L plate & took a big square of paint off the boot! Good old British Leyland quality 🤣🤣

[@anthonystevens8683]

I do not believe that I've ever seen one of these cars. I remember as a kid the launch of the then 18-22 series as it was call as an umbrella term for the badge engineering used at the time. I loved the wedge style. It took over another decade before I travelled in one and that was a decidedly tired example equipped with its own poltergeist in the electrical system. They were huge inside though and super comfortable. Later models had the smaller 'O' series engine with capacity dropping the engines to 1.7L or 2L if I recall correctly. Many thanks for sharing Ian, it brings back some memories of a car that these days is rarely seen on the road.

[@DalstonVinyl]

Oh my! I remember riding in one when I was an altar boy aged 8, on the way to graveside services...I used to love those, and usually got a two bob bit from Father as a tip...bought a lot of sweets back then, and doubled my pocket money for the week. I still enjoy funerals btw

[@sg-tp7sc]

Brings back memories a local coach and taxi company had one in the 80s

[@Maddpunx]

A really smooth engine, had one in a landcrab, loved it.

[@TheCounty90]

The only time I saw something similar was on Father Ted and it was on fire.

[@paulbennell3313]

When they allowed Dougal to conduct a funeral.

[@TheCounty90]

Bingo!

[@chrisdowns1987]

Careful now...

[@darrenjones1528]

Now this brings back memories. My dad had a 1979 metallic lime green 2200hls manual back in the mid eighties - it was the first car i drove after passing my test in 1987. It was very comfy but understeered everywhere. I distinctly remember both headlamp lenses detatching themselves at speed - not whilst i was driving i might add. Dad chopped it in for a 1985 2.0 montego estate with 7 seats that dissolved when it rained. Good times

[@ClaudeSac]

As a child I did not 'get' them at all, did not care for them ... but now ... I would love to own one, so beautiful!

[@chucky2316]

Ugly things. I feel the same way about the maxi as you do these princesses I love the maxi ans wouldn't mind one

[@iana6713]

@@chucky2316 Funny you say that - when I was a kid my school janitor had a brown, yes brown, Maxi, and I thought it was amazing.

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

This must be the Vauxhall Signum, of it's day.

[@garyhowtobluetoothjblheadp3583]

That's a rare beater to say the least?! You do find em, I must say , Hubs!

[@EyesWideOpen61]

Oh, this is fantastic for a Yank yearning for more British automotive history knowledge, ranks right up there with the P 76 Would love to see you in the landcrab, Hillman Arrow, Chrysler UK products, etc. Talbot

[@dwarfshortage244]

Great video, love that little 6 cylinder engine. My grandad had a Princess and then an Ambassador in the early 90’s, followed by a Granada and then his final car a white Cavalier. Always had a soft spot for any of these vehicles, especially the Ambassador!

[@datasilouk1995]

That's a really deep, rich black.

[@Bevoin1970]

I had a white 1978 Princess with exact same Brown Trim as this one. Took me straight back seeing all that Brown Vinyl 🙂and dash. Mine was only the 1800 4 cylinder though.

[@Grez6232]

My great grandmother took her last journey in a Montego hearse...

[@tonys1636]

That is my ideal driving position, seat back at 90 deg to the seat and elbows at 90 deg. Good for my damaged back. Whomever thought that reclining whilst driving is a good idea should be HD&Q'd.

[@peterriggall8409]

Great to see this preserved. Thanks for mentioning the Aussie heritage of this engine. Many don’t acknowledge that, or genuinely don’t know, but you know it only too well Mr. Hubnut. I have always thought it a sweet sounding and running engine. Maybe a rubber mount might quieten that fuel pump a bit.

[@craigyllyn]

In 1980/81 I regularly used a Granada taxi and at the same time my dad had a Princess. As a passenger the wedge just was in the premier league. Space and comfort were far better. As a “drivers” car? Er… I doubt it . But a relaxed car as long as it worked. It even had a “comfort” tyre pressure recommendation as well as the usual ones

[@Adam_T]

Very interesting indeed - amazed it didn`t have the plush interior of the 2200HLS, guessing the mechanical pump failed and they couldn`t get a replacement hence the Clicky-clacky universal pump fitted .

[@kimmohietala5359]

Brown is the best interior colour.

[@iandann6196]

My Father has a 2200 HLS version and purchased the 2 year warranty, and boy did it need it! The interesting thing is the dashboard and switch illumination was done by Fiber optics leading back to a box with a single bulb. It was a comfortable car for the 3 off us kids in the back, It had an issue with water ingress in the boot, and my job was to get in the boot with a torch while my dad hosed the outside so I could identify where the water was coming in….

[@Tinovodanovic]

Very interesting and great sounding car.

[@stephenwest9757]

The Velour upholstery is so much nicer than Leather, cloth or hot sticky Vinyl.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

My father had a princess in green , it was 1979 and I still remember it clearly .

[@garethclarke7375]

My dad had 2 princesses, Bothused as taxis! Brown 1700 hl had a very similar interior. He used to rest his radio handset on the ashtray by the stearring column

[@philipjewer5275]

There was a white Princess limo like this being used as a taxi in Coventry (late 80s/early 90s). I am fairly sure it had brown velour seats. Amazingly comfy ride with these!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

I LOVE THIS CAR!!! I have a 1976 left hand drive manual gearbox Princess 2200 HLS (bronce metallic paintwork with brown velours seats like in the old 1976 cataloge) in Germany (German Import) currently restoring the suspension and regassing the spheres. Prince Charles or Lady Diana used to drive such a VandenPlas Princess 2200 HLS-L. P.S. the car you tested needs an original Delco fuel pump and new Champion N9YC copper spark plugs there is a miss in idling.

[@HubNut]

It turns out the coil was dying. It actually cut out on me so it was replaced.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@HubNut Oh I see! I replaced my coil with a brandnew Lucas sportscoil DLB102 with 1.5 ohms pre resistor plus new wider gapped N9YC copper plugs and new unsinkable P6FLOAT7 Rover floats, engine now runs like new! (Even on crappy modern fuel) The E Series runs best with mechanical Delco OEM 463.294 fuel pump...that clacking china pump is horrible ;-)))

[@mikehawes4935]

Marvellous loved this video, I recall many years ago I used to see one regularly in Brum being used as part of a Hearse fleet.

[@daveowen9481]

It’s actually a stunning looking car, sort of futuristic.

[@chrisbury4635]

That's a rare old beast, i used to own an Ambassador and recommissioned it after being off the road and loved the ride, but I've always felt that BL went backwards with the Ambassador compared to the Princess even though it became a hatchback 😊

[@sebastian0107]

Especially the bonnet and no-longer-hidden wipers looked retrograde.

[@fourthdrawerdown6297]

Vinyl magnificence 😎 AND concealed wiper spindles! 🤩

[@andyt2510]

No radio? How are you supposed to listen to The Jam's Going Underground when on the way to the cemetery?

[@eggy1962]

@@andyt2510 Johnny cash mun …ring of fire

[@chucky2316]

😂 why not I mean why should a funeral be so mundane

[@terryatkinson899]

Or Adele's hello from the other side 😂

[@AtheistOrphan]

AC/DC Highway to Hell.

[@paultaylor7082]

Not listening to 5000 Volts 1975 song 'I'm on fire' on the way to the crematorium?

[@MrTimcoronel]

A friend of mine used to own a huge black Daimler Majestic Major limo. Now that's an overtaker for undertakers!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

‘You wonder what might have happened, had they have made it a hatchback’ - well that would be the Ambassador - of which my dad owned 2 - and the rears of both were utterly cavernous. With the Hydragas suspension they were brilliant (if slow) load luggers.

[@badbooks476]

Great video. I remember a Princess hearse at a Scarborough funeral directors in the 1980’s. My dads 1978 Princess 1800 had bonnet gas struts

[@stephenwhite5057]

I paid £60 for my one and sold it 2 years later for £150 even though the primary gear was grinding it's way through the gearbox casing ( and the buyer new about it) It was the most comfiest car so far I've owned with it's velour trim

[@philby49]

Love a straight 6, as for the rest of it, another example of why the UK motor industry fell apart, what a bag of spanners, not to take away from the excellent review and channel

[@edgarbeat2851]

Utterly gorgeous Princess There was a Hearse Version on Father Ted. As a kid I loved it.

[@jdtseventyfour]

Corr I remember the princess. When I was at college one of my mates dad had one. I think he was a Bank manager so it was very of the time. Haven't seen one for years. Thanks for sharing a video on such an interesting version :-)

[@Bernd-sb2sh]

What an amazing car. Here in Germany the Princess was not a big succes. But I can remember very well that there was a Greek family living close to our home who had a blue colour Princess 2200 with black vinyl roof. Every day on my way to school I saw that car parking on the road. For me it looked always nice and interesting but my classmates said it was ugly and strange. When I saw it driving away I was very impressed of the smooth engine sound. No other car company offered a transverse 6-cylinder engine those days. For that time the Princess was a very advanced car. By this video I got a nice impression how it drives. Nice that ypu mentioned the Austin Kimberley refer to the engine. Long time ago I was watching your video you had made from the Kimberley. Also a very amazing car which could have been very succesfull on the European market too.

[@vernonchubb8289]

Had a N reg 1975 18-22 series 1.8 Morris and V reg Princess 2200 hls loved driving both definitely should have been a hatchback. The seats were great especially in the 2200 power steering was excellent and needed. Happy days 😂😂😂😂

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Our wedding car. Glasgow 6th of may 1983. Wouldn't be surprised if it's actually the same car! Because they didn't made so many Limo's.

[@adamlee3772]

Was relieved to see the wiper test and triangle of doom check at the end, was getting very worried you had missed that.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

A good idea is to install the new unsinkable SU deluxe foam floats (marketed for the Rover P6 with HIF6 carbs) in the Princess SU HIF6 carbs they fit perfectly and the carbs never ever flood again with the new ethanolized fuels.

[@Mtandy-vm2pt]

LVery good video thanks. One of these Princess limo's appeared in a episode of keeping up appearances. It was P reg 1975/76/ model. I remember the one featured in keeping up appearances had a short number plate.

[@borismedovar9968]

Quirky British cars is how I found your channel in the first place

[@Haffschlappe]

This is the greatest Thing England ever made

[@Koulis_]

So many great British car designers that haven't been recognised, outside of car enthusiasts, to the degree they should be and Harris Mann is among them. The Princess was such a modern and interesting shape at launch and it still looks good today. Thanks for the video. 👍🏼

[@Haffschlappe]

The britsh Citroen SM

[@m__r1100]

We had an oh so brown Ambassador. Beige paint, brown vinyl roof, twin brown go faster stripes, brown velour, near orange carpet, brown dash, but of course black door handles and steering wheel...

[@frglee]

I've always liked funeral cars and hearses. That goes back to my schooldays in the 1960s when my somewhat eccentric Geography teacher had a magnificent pre-war 8 cylinder Daimler hearse (I think some of his family were undertakers and they couldn't bear to scrap the old girl when they replaced it with something a tad more modern, so he took it on). It was so quiet that it was hard to tell if it was actually running. He said it did something like 8 miles to the gallon - just as well he lived just a mile from the school!

[@seancollins2134]

My dad had a 1977 R reg 2200hls when I was just young, he bought it at auction for £200 when it was 2 years old he had it about 5 years then traded it in for a Fiat Strada so from one car that liked to rust to a rot box

[@brucebeamish5955]

Looks like great fun Ian, thank you.

[@Hobotraveler82]

I want one. These would be great sellers in America today as an alternative to those pesky crossovers. I mean imagine this as a hatchback with two rows of seats that fold down. Plus that smootj six. Yes i still want one. Besides this one was for a funeral. Rates up there with my hearse I want. I can hear the Addams family theme song playing in my head. 😂😅😊❤.

[@philparry519]

My Dad had the 6 Cylinder Princess. It ate Driveshafts.

[@pedward1313]

My primary school headmaster, Mr Roden, replaced his Rover P5 (none B) with a brand new Princess circa 1978. Ah, memories 😊

[@frankfurter726]

I had a 2.2 HLS as a company car. Plagued by a misfire cause by to woodruffkey, whatever that was. Very smooth ride on hydrolastic suspension, not a sports car but quick enough. Not a bad car once misfire sorted, bags of room for all passengers

[@mossi408]

My dad used to be a long time in that hearse business. And I remember we used to have one of these. Could be exactly that car, my childhood pictures plopps into my mind. As I remeber on an R-Reg, the hearse had the Reg number before, that Limo, they were delivered exactly on the same day. Also a Princess 2200 HL, same as a hearse for the coffin. Had also a vinyl roof. For my taste, the roofline looks a bit to high. That were also my thoughts as a kid 45 years ago. We had these couple until the nineties. And I did have no idea who did built that couple. It was my dad's job, we didn't use it for our own. We had a Maxi, later on an Allegro 3 as a family banger. I thought it was from Coleman and Milne... but now I know, I was wrong my entire life. Well, you live and learn... 😮

[@boronsniify]

I rode in a Coleman Milne(?) version as a child to and from my fathers funeral in 1978…very smooth motor, but rough riding - I think they over presssurised the hydrangeas system. Noisy power steering pump hiss, too. Horrible day, but I can’t blame the car for that. I’m actually a big fan of the ADO 71 - love the Wolsely version with those “finned brake drum” hubcaps.

[@martinneumann7783]

This is so HubNut… What an odd coach! Thanks for the great pictures of the Princess and the Dutch landscape. See you soon »»» Martin 😊

[@PaddyWV]

I thought it would be a delight and a delight it was. Imagine if they had made a VDP model 2200. 😍

[@HubNut]

They did build a prototype, which survives. It's at the venue for Rustival.

[@PaddyWV]

@@HubNut I think I've seen the pics. 👍

[@Lysimachus]

now you really CAN be "caught dead" in an austin princess

[@RUfromthe40s]

i had this car but never knew there was a limousine type but what a car at the time being oh , and vinyl roof and it was yellow toasted shade

[@TMxl-w5t]

That fuel pump would have to be sorted, but the engine, certainly had a lovely note 😉👍

[@SeasideGarage]

ooooh..... now I want one again...

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video Ian ❤👍what a beautiful car absolutely amazing brilliant

[@gaufrid1956]

I almost thought you were going to forget the windscreen wiper test, Ian. Well done to slot it in right at the end of the video.

[@HubNut]

Actually did forget. Realised at the last moment!

[@gaufrid1956]

@@HubNut Ha ha ha Ian! Great editing.

[@MrMattym72]

Oxford city council had one just like that for the mayor of Oxford, the number plate was FC 1 ,it broke down in the late 80’s, it was replaced with a rover 827

[@barryshackson4005]

What a lovely car, great test drive 🙂👍

[@TheMondeozetec]

God that fuel pump reminded me of the electrical ones we used to put on fiats/fso back in the 90s

[@lukevibertuk]

The glass divider handy for those in the cheap seats during furious braking!

[@mtliam999]

Wow!! Coolest Limo ever!! Like Wow. That fuel pump sounds just like the one in my Jensen Healey which I find to be a very comforting sound just to hear something function and work with that car kinda puts your mind to rest while taking it in journeys

[@vernonmatthews181]

Love your splendid Leyland Princess Limousine, my late father worked for firm that imported the lesser kin into New Zealand. Known locally as "Domtrac", shortened name of Dominion Motors. I try to think, if the British Beatles came to prominence twenty years later 😂 perhaps John Lennon may have bought one and kitted it out accordingly ❤ Thanks for the appraisal 😮😊

[@mr-wx3lv]

What great family transport if you're just ever so eccentric 😊. Love it. That e series engine sounds just a tad like a small BMW six...

[@monaabbyhamedani917]

My grandfather had a Princess, little me was very impressed with the armrest in the rear seat which I would sit on when we drove anywhere 😂 child safety 1983 style

[@langerstrains9460]

It’s so deliciously British, brown and unique, I would have one 😁

[@micheltebraake7915]

Aart finally had this Limo on the road and is already selling it! Pretty special car Ian.

[@HubNut]

I don't think he really fitted behind the wheel either...

[@micheltebraake7915]

@@HubNut That's the problem with most limos, no space for the driver.

[@waynetetley584]

Awesome find - great drive 😊

[@oxulucozcan4923]

thank you

[@GoldenCroc]

Well thats different, to say the least. Very nice.

[@BigPaul62]

That's an aftermarket electric fuel pump - the original is a mechanical pump which used to fail regularly on the 2200.

[@Haffschlappe]

Nor so thecAC Delco US Made Version you can stil find for 30 pounds....beware of Chinese Relicas Sold as Moprod

[@harrygiles1098]

Great review Ian

[@niklaswejedal463]

From a modern point of view, panes of glas for head rests for those in front seems like such a... let's say unusual idea 😅Also - big vibes of my childhood, with all that brown in the interior. Those of us born at the first half of the 70s sure got a life-time worth dose of brown before the decade even was over...

[@woutergijs5246]

Several of the aluminium castings were made at Copal Castings, next to Birmingham football stadium. Gravity die foundry. Rumour is that the reason the oilpans were always leaking, is that Copal refused to use the right alloy with little distortion. This great foundry shut when Rover was transferred to China. And Geely bought the casting tools as well. I do wonder if somewhere in China, a bloke is still sweating at one of those unique carrousel moulding lines

[@tristanpage6805]

Great content again. Look forward to seeing more

[@tonysargent7787]

Very nice motor another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍

[@graemew7001]

I've only ever seen the hearse version, I hadn't realised that there was a limo version too that seems to have only been built for chauffeur's who are 5ft 4 and below lol