Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 158: 1971 Vanden Plas Princess 1300 at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle was owned by a single family from 1971 to 1997; it has covered about 30,000 miles; it has the original BMC order form and a history file; and it has a factory automatic gearbox.
What to check on any Vanden Plas Princess 1100 or 1300
- Rust is the biggest threat to any ADO16. Check the sills (look out for cover sills welded over rot), floors, door bottoms, bootlid lower edge, front inner and outer wings, front panel, rear wheelarches, rear valance and boot floor.
- The front bulkhead, especially near the heater, corrodes often. Check for damp carpets in the front footwells.
- Inspect both subframes carefully, especially their mounting points. Lift the rear seat base to check that the rear subframe mounts are not pulling away from the floor.
- The Vanden Plas front panel and chrome strip hole pattern are specific to the model; this helps confirm a genuine car.
- Brightwork, grille and badges are model-specific and harder to source than plain Austin or Morris parts.
- The A-series is simple and well supported. Minor oil leaks are normal.
Checks for this car
- Check the Hydrolastic suspension.
- Check the automatic gearbox.
- Look for evidence of the mileage in the history file.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- What in the history file supports the mileage?
- When was the Hydrolastic suspension last checked?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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