Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre specification
Produced: Kingsbury, 1959-61. 4,719 cars built.
General layout: Pressed-steel unit-construction body-chassis structure, in 5-seater, 4-door saloon body style. Front-mounted engine driving rear wheels.
Engine and transmission: BMC C-Series, 6-cylinder, ohv, in-line. 2,912cc, 83.34 x 88.9mm, 103bhp at 4,750rpm; 157lb ft at 2,300rpm. 3-speed gearbox, all synchromesh, with Borg-Warner overdrive on top and 2nd gears; Optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic transmission; steering-column gear-change; live (beam) rear axle with hypoid-bevel final drive.
Chassis: Independent front suspension, coil springs, wishbones and anti-roll bar. Cam-and-peg steering. Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs. Front disc and rear drum brakes. 7.00-14in tyres.
Dimensions: Wheelbase 9ft 0in: front track 4ft 6in; rear track 4ft 5.25in; length 15ft 8in; width 5ft 8.5in; height 4ft 11in. Unladen weight (approx) 3,465lb.
Typical performance: (Automatic-transmission version) Maximum speed 97mph; 0-60mph 17.9sec; standing 1/4-mile 21.4sec; overall fuel consumption 17mpg.
Launch Price: £1,397
Distinguishing features from previous models: Entirely new monocoque with unique styling, not connected with previous Vanden Plas-trimmed Austin A105 model.
Derivatives: Originally car was badged as a Princess, but became a Vanden Plas Princess from May 1960. Mk II model followed in late 1961, and Princess R derived from this in 1964. Car was itself derived from Austin A99/Wolseley 6/99 design of same period.
Fate: Discontinued in 1961 in favour of Mk II model.
Source: "The Cars of BMC" - Graham Robson (Motor Racing Publications, 1987)