1956 Austin Princess
Hand-built construction by Vanden Plas coachbuilders positioned this luxury limousine as a more attainable alternative to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, typically priced at roughly two-thirds the cost of comparable British prestige cars.
The Austin Princess A135 series (Marks I, II, and III) was produced in relatively small numbers through the 1950s, with total production across all versions numbering in the several-thousand range. By the late 1950s, the model transitioned away from Austin badging as Vanden Plas became a standalone marque.
Bodies combined steel and aluminum panels over traditional timber frames, with the Mark III distinguished by its smoother, more modern radiator grille compared to earlier versions.
The long-wheelbase limousine variant rode on a wheelbase of about 130 inches (10 feet 10 inches) and offered seating for up to seven passengers, often with a glass division separating the driver from the rear compartment. Optional appointments included fold-down picnic tables, rear-compartment telephone systems, and personalized monograms.
Power came from a 4.0-liter (244 cubic inch) inline six-cylinder engine producing approximately 120 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual transmission, with a Borg-Warner automatic transmission available as an option during the 1950s.
British military officials, civic ceremonial fleets, and hire car services represented primary buyers for these carefully crafted automobiles, which emphasized dignity and comfort over outright performance.
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