1951/2000 Lea Francis Special

Estimate: £20,000 - £25,000*

Reg No: LXU 715 MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 8822

Launched in 1946, the new Lea-Francis 14hp saloon owed much to its pre-WW2 namesake. Featuring twin high-mounted camshafts, its 1767cc four-cylinder engine was the work of ex-Riley engineer Harry Rose. Quoted as developing up to 70bhp in its later guises (an output that reputedly translated into a top speed of 75mph even with saloon coachwork), this advanced unit was mated to a fourspeed synchromesh manual gearbox. In production for a scant seven years, the 14hp was upgraded in late 1949 with torsion bar independent front suspension and a hydro-mechanic braking system.

Reputedly built during 2000 or thereabouts, this attractive two-seater Special has stylistic echoes of Bill Skelly’s much modified Lea-Francis 14hp racer and even the HWM-Alta that (Sir) Stirling Moss drove. Underpinned by a rigid, box-section chassis and bodied in lightweight alloy, the two-seater is further understood to benefit from a 1.8 litre Lea-Francis ‘twin cam’ engine that was overhauled and uprated by the late Steve O’Rourke’s mechanic ‘Yarrow’. As well as a lightened flywheel, twin 1.5in SU carburettors, electronic ignition, electronic water pump and 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, the four-cylinder unit is believed to possess a higher compression ratio, modern oil filter, alternator, ported / gasflowed cylinder head (with reduced diameter, 10mm spark plugs), cooling fan and uprated valve springs etc. Said to have been last refreshed some 5,000 miles ago, the engine is estimated to develop circa 100bhp. Road registered using the identity of a 1951 Lea-Francis 14hp Saloon, ‘LXU 715’ boasts a 95-100mph top speed. Understood to utilise MGB independent front suspension, brakes and back axle, the Special is reportedly a ‘fabulous road car – sweet to drive, nice gearbox, brakes and steering, engine has plenty of torque as well as top end. Everyone smiles, waves and thumbs up’.

1966 Vanden Plas Princess

4-Litre R

Estimate: £14,000 - £16,000*

Reg No: PRP 359D MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: V/R53547

Announced in August 1964, the Princess 4-Litre R featured a Rolls-Royce, all-aluminium, 175bhp engine, enabling an unusually high power-to-weight ratio enabling cruising at 90mph and a top speed in period of 112mph. The engine was the product of over two years of technical collaboration between BMC and Rolls-Royce. Pricing aimed at challenging the MkX Jaguar was a major change of market positioning, aiming at growth in the prestige and executive market segments of Europe and the United States. The 4.0 R was luxurious with polished walnut fascia, padded top and bottom, fully reclinable leather seats and polished picnic tables for the rear passengers. A new automatic transmission was provided by Borg-Warner; its first use in a British car, and Hydrosteer variable-ratio power steering accompanied wider tyres.

One of just 6,555 examples made, this 4 Litre R was manufactured in 1966 and was distributed to motor agents F. G. Smith (Motors) Ltd who retained the Vanden Plas as first owners, presumably utilising chassis number V/ R53547 as a dealer demonstrator. Famously fitted with the aforementioned 3909cc Rolls-Royce straight-six engine mated to the Borg-Warner automatic transmission, the Princess is finished in its original colour scheme of Peat over Stone, with complementary Champagne leather interior upholstery. In long-term previous ownership, the 4 Litre R is known to have spent some time as a resident of Guernsey before returning to the United Kingdom’s shores.

‘PRP 359D’ entered into current family ownership in 2010 and has a recorded and believed genuine mileage of 41,000 miles. The history file contains paperwork supporting the mileage including the original stamped Passport to Service and fifteen previous MOT certificates. The driver’s handbook and workshop manual are also included, as well as a collection of previous invoices. Achieving the Runner-Up award in the Best Vanden Plas class of the 2016 Autumn Rally, this well-presented example ran well through the photography session and is a good opportunity to acquire a very good exemplar of quality motoring.