View allAll Photos Tagged Bodyshell
1/32 slot car Vauxhall Viva HA track car c.1966. Modified and lowered Airfix bodyshell and modified Scalextric chassis with a Mabuchi motor.
The Fiat 126 was introduced in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show as a replacement for the Fiat 500. It never achieved the popularity of the 500.
The 126 used much of the same mechanical underpinnings and layout as its Fiat 500 rear-engined predecessor with which it shared its wheelbase, but featured an all new bodyshell closely resembling a scaled-down Fiat 127.
In Italy, the car was produced in the plants of Cassino and Termini Imerese until 1979. By this time 1,352,912 of the cars had been produced in Italy.
Note the details on this example. The broken rear lights, the large rear speakers and unequal roof rack.
Here's a couple pictures of my original 1970 Meyers Manx fiberglass Dune Buggy. The kit car was built using the Manx bodyshell coupled with the VW Volkswagen Beetle bug frame and 1500 engine.
50017, 50007, 08220, 66048 (Bodyshell) EMD, Longport 25/05/16
Copyright Neil Altyfan 2016 - No Unauthorised Use Please.
1/32 slot car AC Shelby Cobra 289 mk2 c.1963 in SCCA livery. Revell bodyshell, MRRC chassis with in-line Mabuchi motor and full-depth cockpit.
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth is home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family.
Wedding Car
Beauford cars are supplied in kit form. The first cars were made in 1985 and used a Mini bodyshell mounted on a ladder chassis This compartment was later replaced by a glass fibre moulding. At the front is a long bonnet with flowing wings at either side to give the appearance of a 1930s luxury car. Almost any power unit can be fitted. The suspension is sourced from the Ford Sierra. Both open and closed bodies are made.
The cars became popular as wedding transport leading to a "long-bodied" version being produced with a slightly shortened bonnet and narrower rear parcel shelf to give much roomier accommodation for rear seat passengers.
The Beauford company is British and located in Stoke on Trent.
chesterfieldweddingcars.co.uk/beauford
1 Of 31 made for the 1995 Judge Dread film.
Thirty-one 101s were converted by Land Rover with artistically styled bodyshells for the 1995 Sylvester Stallone film Judge Dredd. Land Rover is supposedly the world's only surviving vehicle manufacturer in 2139 when the film is set, and the green oval logo can be seen on the front of the vehicles, known as "City CABs". Several of these prop vehicles still exist in driveable condition and are often seen at Land Rover events.
F30-series Leopard bodyshell dropped onto the floorpan and running gear of a Group N racing Skyline R32.
I'm probably going to be corrected here, but my recollection is that this generation of Sunny pioneered the current common practise of producing distinctly different bodyshells for 3- and 5- door variants. The 5 door's "fastback" shape gives way to an upright tail on the 3 door.
Sold For £12,320
From H & H Catalogue:
Reg Number: NSU 368
Chassis Number:HAN9-71982
Engine Number: 16205
Cc:1275
Body Colour: Green
Trim Colour:Black
MOT ExpiryDate:Jan 2014
Archer's Garage of Oldbury are renowned for their Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Evocations and were commissioned by the late Michael Sutton Esq. to do much of the preparation work on `NSU 368' including modifying a new Heritage bodyshell to accept authentic-looking GRP bonnet, fastback roof and rear shroud assemblies plus aluminium-skinned doors. Intended for `fast road' use, the Austin-Healey had its 1310cc A-Series engine and four-speed close-ratio gearbox overhauled / uprated by Peter May Engineering Ltd. Sporting a Safety Devices rollover bar, Radtec alloy radiator, bucket seats and upgraded front discs, the two-seater passed its most recent MOT test (January 2013) with no advisories. The four years (2001-2005) and circa £22,700 that Mr Sutton spent on the project are chronicled in two accompanying files.
This is the wooden plug used to create "proper" AC Cobra bodywork. The aluminium sheets are hand rolled over this. In the background of the previous picture you can see some of the bodyshells formed on this jig.
Original Cobras have hand formed aluminium bodywork, whereas cheaper replicas generally have bodyshells made from fibreglass.
A pair of Class 465/2 cars are seen under construction at Metro Cammell Birmingham. The bodyshells used to arrive with no identification markings at all, and the numbers were only applied at the last minute before delivery to Slade Green.
D1705 built as a Class 47 with a difference. A 47 bodyshell and a Sulzer 12LVA24-type engine, resulted in a Class 48 classification. Refitted with a standard engine in 1969, this turned her the loco into a 47.
Sparrowhawk is seen here on the GCR
The John Griffiths archive.
No date, no location, but 60 014 'Alexander Fleming' heads a long rake of empty BAA type strip coil wagons. New in 1993 to the petroleum sector at Immingham, 60 014 passed into the hands of EWS, then DB Schenker/Cargo, before being sold to GB Railfreight in 2010 as a source of spares for its own ex DB class 60 fleet. Last seen as a completely stripped bodyshell at Longport, the fate of this particular tug looks very uncertain.
Original image here for comparison flic.kr/p/2szHLPX
1975 MGB roadster.
H&H classic car auction at Buxton. Catalogue description -
"Chassis Number:GHN5-367949G
Engine Number:1368
Finished in red with black cloth / vinyl upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "as new" condition with regard to its engine, four-speed manual plus overdrive gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. Beginning life as a 'rubber bumper' roadster, 'LVT 379P' is said to have undergone extensive restoration work between 1992 and 1994 that not only saw it fitted with a replacement Heritage 'chrome bumper' bodyshell but also benefit from a thorough overhaul of its running gear and ancillaries (which were reconditioned or replaced as necessary). Riding on Rostyle wheels, this appealingly reconfigured MGB is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until May 10th 2007 and road tax valid until August 31st 2007."
Sold for £5200.
Some simple decals for this one. The Caetano logo above the rear window was taken from a Google image, made into a negative image and re-scaled. The writing is all made using different fonts in appropriate sizes. The white 'Viana' name on the skirt panel is printed onto white decal paper with a black border - black being one of the very few colours where ink and paint colours match! The side fleetnames, which are a silvery white on both the black and yellow parts will be a little more difficult to create successfully.
This shot also shows the replacement Mark Hughes rear seat, which has been positioned tpo check clearance within the bodyshell. It replaced a 4-seat unti supplied with the kit. The skateboard wheels are now crying out to be replaced! The new white metal wheels will need the track shortened slightly, and being slightly smaller diameter will bring the ground clearance down a little too.
Intended as a flagship sports car to replace the Austin-Healey 3000, the MG C was introduced in the autumn of 1967. Based around the two-door monocoque bodyshell of the humble MG B (albeit with a substantially altered engine bay and floorpan), the newcomer was powered by a 2912cc OHV straight-six engine allied to either a new heavy-duty, all-synchromesh, four-speed manual overdrive gearbox, or three-speed automatic transmission. Other mechanical differences included: a larger radiator, torsion-bar front suspension, telescopic dampers and lower geared rack and pinion steering. The C was visually distinguished from the B by its 'power bulge' bonnet and taller 15-inch wheels. While early road tests criticised the car's 'nose heavy' handling (the engine was 209 lbs heavier than the B's and the weight distribution was 53:47), later reports were kinder. With some 145 bhp and 170 lb ft of torque, the model could complete the 0-60 mph dash in around 10 seconds and hit 120mph flat out. Sadly, too readily confused with its smaller-engined brother, it was axed in 1969 after just 4,544 Roadsters and 4,458 GTs are understood to have been made. Now, 40 years later, the MG C's lack of period sales success only serves to make it more collectible.
2014 "Ford Mustang" in the paddocks of the 2014 CRAA classic race in Aarhus.
Driver: Molly Pettit (N)
Racing class: Auto-G DTC
Race number: 28
Race results in 2014 event:
Training (fri.): 7 (of 18)
Qualifying (sat.): 15 (of 19)
Heat 1 (sat): 16, RET (of 19)
Heat 2 (sun.): 12 (of 18)
Heat 3, final (sun.): 9 (of 18)
Photo taken after heat 1.
DTC stands for Danish Thundersport Championship. The cars follow the CCR MkI and MkII regulations. They consist of a chassis built by Performance AutoMotive Scandinavian AB (PASAB) fitted with a clip-on bodyshell. The engines are 5,7 litre V8s, delivering 445 hp. The available bodyshells change a little from year to year, but in 2014 there were 3 options: Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
Each race weekend consists of a free practice, qualifying and 3 heats, of which the last one is considered the "final"
After heat one, the top 8 will normally get reversed for the heat 2 starting grid, which often causes interesting results and is a guarantee for highly entertaining racing.
Races take place mostly in Denmark, but with occasional visits abroad. 2 races per year take place on street circuits: this one in Aarhus at the CRAA and one in Copenhagen during the Historic Grand Prix there.
Most drivers are danish, but there's always a few norwegians in the pack as well.
The driver line-up is incredibly mixed and features star drivers (past and present) like Jan Magnussen, "Super John" Nielsen, Ronnie Bremer and Casper Elgaard alongside some of Denmark's finest young racing talents with full backing from big teams, as well as a bunch of privateers, who primarily take part for the fun of racing.
At the end of each season, a driver's 3 worst results get discarded to get the final overall result.
The DTC class is widely regarded as the pinnacle of racing on danish soil and is followed intensely by media as well as spectators.
There have been some voices against the DTC being included in the CRAA, saying that this class is anything but "classic racing", which is, of course, true, but no class causes the stands to be as packed as DTC, so it certainly helps attract people (and media interest)
DTC may not be "classic racing", but it plays a major part in making the annual CRAA event so successful.
2014 "Ford Mustang" in the paddocks of the 2014 CRAA classic race in Aarhus.
Driver: Molly Pettit (N)
Racing class: Auto-G DTC
Race number: 28
Race results in 2014 event:
Training (fri.): 7 (of 18)
Qualifying (sat.): 15 (of 19)
Heat 1 (sat): 16, RET (of 19)
Heat 2 (sun.): 12 (of 18)
Heat 3, final (sun.): 9 (of 18)
Photo taken after heat 1.
DTC stands for Danish Thundersport Championship. The cars follow the CCR MkI and MkII regulations. They consist of a chassis built by Performance AutoMotive Scandinavian AB (PASAB) fitted with a clip-on bodyshell. The engines are 5,7 litre V8s, delivering 445 hp. The available bodyshells change a little from year to year, but in 2014 there were 3 options: Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
Each race weekend consists of a free practice, qualifying and 3 heats, of which the last one is considered the "final"
After heat one, the top 8 will normally get reversed for the heat 2 starting grid, which often causes interesting results and is a guarantee for highly entertaining racing.
Races take place mostly in Denmark, but with occasional visits abroad. 2 races per year take place on street circuits: this one in Aarhus at the CRAA and one in Copenhagen during the Historic Grand Prix there.
Most drivers are danish, but there's always a few norwegians in the pack as well.
The driver line-up is incredibly mixed and features star drivers (past and present) like Jan Magnussen, "Super John" Nielsen, Ronnie Bremer and Casper Elgaard alongside some of Denmark's finest young racing talents with full backing from big teams, as well as a bunch of privateers, who primarily take part for the fun of racing.
At the end of each season, a driver's 3 worst results get discarded to get the final overall result.
The DTC class is widely regarded as the pinnacle of racing on danish soil and is followed intensely by media as well as spectators.
There have been some voices against the DTC being included in the CRAA, saying that this class is anything but "classic racing", which is, of course, true, but no class causes the stands to be as packed as DTC, so it certainly helps attract people (and media interest)
DTC may not be "classic racing", but it plays a major part in making the annual CRAA event so successful.
1/32 resin slot car Lancia Stratos HF turbo Le Mans 1977. Driven by Christine Dacremont & Marianne Hoepfner DNF. Resin bodyshell, slot classic chassis, Le Mans Decals sheet (www.lemansdecals.com/tienda/es/ ).
This is Network Rail's track recording DMU unit. It was built in 1987 using the same bodyshell as the Class 150/1 Sprinters It was originally classified as a Class 180, but was reclassified into the departmental series. As part of the privatisation of British Rail, it passed to Railtrack in 1994 and then Network Rail in 2002.
Seen here at Slateford Station about to head into the depot.
Display Car
Estimated : € 20.000 - 30.000
Sold for € 92.708
The Renault Icons
Auction - Artcurial
Renault Manufacture
Flins-sur-Seine
Aubergenville - France
December 2025
- Show car true to the Benetton B195
- Benetton’s best season in Formula 1
- In the colours of Michael Schumacher, 1995 World Champion
In 1995, the new FIA regulations imposed a reduction in engine size from 3.5 to 3 litres, in the hope of limiting the cars’ performance and, in so doing, the risks for the drivers. The new Renault V10 engine, the RS7, was supplied for the first time to the Benetton team and proved a brilliant combination with the B195 chassis designed by Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne. Add a gifted driver, Michael Schumacher, into the mix, and there you have it. The team run by Flavio Briatore had an exceptional season, with eleven victories (nine for Schumacher and two for his team-mate, Johnny Herbert), enabling it to claim both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles in the World Championship.
The car presented here is a show car, created for promotional purposes. Bearing Schumacher’s name and his racing number 1 (reserved for the reigning World Champion), it consists of a bodyshell built specially to this end and has no mechanical components other than those that can be seen. The cockpit has a bucket seat and steering wheel. It is a superb show car, in very good condition, and a reminder of the Benetton team’s best season in Formula 1, thanks in large part to the Renault engine.
Vivarail announced on the 22nd of July 2016 that an agreement had been reached for its prototype Class 230 D-Train diesel multiple-unit produced by rebuilding redundant London Underground vehicles to enter passenger service on the Coventry – Nuneaton line.
The three-car DMU will be leased to West Midlands Combined Authority, maintained by Vivarail and operated by franchisee London Midland for an initial 12 months starting from later this year.
‘I’m delighted that the Class 230 will soon be running on the mainline carrying passengers’, said Vivarail CEO Adrian Shooter. ‘We will be supplying a train of the highest quality with three carriages fitted out in a range of designs which will allow us to get valuable feedback on what passengers actually want. The two driving cars will retain their original “crowd-busting” layout whilst the middle car will showcase different seating and table arrangements. Our aim is to gain direct thoughts from the public about what suits their needs which we will be important in discussions with future operators.’
The Class 230 uses the aluminium bodyshells, bogies and traction motors from District Line D78 metro cars, and is intended as a ‘cost-effective solution to over-crowding on the rail network’. According to Vivarail, its costs ‘considerably less’ to acquire and run than a comparable unit and using around a third less fuel. Each driving car is powered by two independent gensets, meaning the train can operate at near full power even if one of the 400 hp engines fails. The engines are mounted on modules allowing the DMUs to be maintained at the trackside rather than needing to return to a depot.
Railway Gazette
1/32 slot car Datsun 2000GT Fairlady c.1969 Monte Carlo rally. Driven by Risto Virtapuro & Charles Lindholm. ARii bodyshell and MRRC chassis with slimline motor.
Redundant Mark 3 TF 41043 is a spare Class 321 driving trailer bodyshell. This was built after the 1996 Watford Junction collision as a spare after the only other spare had been used in returning 321420 service. In recent times the spare was used for demonstrating the new First Great Eastern corporate livery would look when applied to the class 360s. The spare vehicle is sitting on accommodation bogies.
The Bodyshell of Ealing crash loco 1007 Western Talisman is in the yard at Swindon Works awaiting cutting up. 19/10/1974.
image Kevin Connolly - All rights reserved so please do no use this without my explicit permission
Driven a couple of these with the 1.4 litre engine. They go & handle well.
They stopped making the bodyshells for these in 2004 when MG- Rover went under. This must've been one of the many that were finished by hand with what was left over.
The NS 1700 Class were built in the early 1990s and their bodyshells show the class's heritage: based on the earlier 1600 Class which in turn was inspired by the SNCF BB7200 class. Number 1723 is seen here standing on track 5 at Haarlem Station, waiting to propel a train of DD-AR push-pull stock to Hoorn.
TECHNICAL DATA PEUGEOT 207 SUPER 2000
MOTOR
Engine: EW 10 J4S
Location: Front – transverse
Capacity: 1998 cc
Number of cylinders: 4
Power (hp.DIN): 280
Torque (Nm): 250
Maximum engine speed: 8500
Injection: Magneti Marelli
Throttle: Single butterfly
Number of valves: 16
TRANSMISSION
Type: 4-wheel drive
Clutch: Twin disc
Gearbox: Sequential – 6 speed
Differential: 3 Autolocking
CHASSIS
Structure: Bodyshell + Tubular Roll Cage
Front suspension: Pseudo MacPherson Strut with Peugeot Dampers
Rear suspension: Pseudo MacPherson Strut with Peugeot Dampers
BRAKES / STEERING
Front brakes: Brembo 4 pistons
Diameter: 300mm (loose surface) 355mm (tarmac)
Rear brakes: Brembo 4 pistons
Diameter: 300mm (loose surface and tarmac)
Steering: Hydraulic assistance
Wheels loose surface: 18 inches
Wheels tarmac: 15 inches
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4.03 m
Width: 1.80m
Wheelbase: 2.56 m
Minimum weight: 1100 kg loose surface / 1150 kg tarmac
Fuel tank capacity:80 litres
A key element of the Mark X that Jaguar wanted to include in the S-Type was its sophisticated, and by then widely acclaimed, Jaguar independent rear suspension. The suspension was a revelation at the time of its introduction, and remained the benchmark against which others were judged until the 1980s. Essentially a double wishbone setup, it uses the driveshaft as the upper wishbone. It carries the drive, braking, suspension and damping units in a single fabricated steel crossbridge, which is isolated from the bodyshell by rubber blocks. Including this suspension in the S-Type necessitated the development of a new crossbridge suitable for its 54” track, coming as it did between the 58” track of the Mark X and 50” track of the E-Type.
The S-Type used the same subframe mounted, coil sprung, twin wishbone front suspension as the Mark 2. (Wikipedia)
The lower-spec model, with 5742 reaching UK shores badged as Nissan. Unfortunately I don't have figures for the Alfa versions, which included a 1.3-engined model and a 5dr which Nissan didn't offer.
Esssentially this model married the Alfa's flat-four engine and gearbox to the bodyshell of the Cherry. It included the Italian suspension and double bulkhead arrangement, and at the very least different hubs on the back to allow fitment of the Alfa wheels.
There were sufficient differences for Nissan to give it a different model code, 920 instead of N12.
This location with a distinctive belt of trees on the golfcourse was used for numerous PR photos at the time. More to come!
Resplendent in cream; Ford Ivory to be precise. Needs to go over white primer, which in turn goes over grey primer to get the shade right. The original EFE windscreen has also had the gaps between it and the bodyshell filled since yesterday.
Once the innards are painted, the upper deck will be permanently attached to the lower and the gap between filled, sanded and painted before the upper deck panels receive their decals.
1/32 resin slot car Cooper T39 Bobtail Le Mans 1957. Driven By Jack Brabham and Ian Raby to 15th place. Hunaudieres Model Decals resin body and Slot Classic chassis.
1/32 slot car Triumph Vitesse 6 2000cc c.1967. Modified Airfix bodyshell & PCS32 chassis, ali' rims & resin inserts.
47405 and 47429, both no more than empty bodyshells on accomodation bogies, stand forlornly at Crewe Works Open Day on Saturday 4th July 1987.
This early (1975) Escort MK II was captured 'travelling' northbound on the M6 motorway.
Launched in 1975, the new Escort MK II was more modern looking than its predecessor. The new bodyshell had squarer lines. A range of models were offered: the base L, GL, Sport and a top-of-the-range Ghia. Two and four door saloons were available and a two door estate version.
As with the Mk I, there was a choice of 1.1 and 1.3 litre engines and now, a 1.6 litre unit. Automatic transmission was also available.
The MK II Escorts were sparsely equiped but more than 600,000 cars were built before the end of the range in 1980.
Split into its component parts (l to r) clear bodyshell painted into into South Wales' ivory and red, plastic interior casting, metal body 'skirts' and plastic chassis.
The model is held together with two small screws through the chassis which screw into the seating unit, which in turn clips inside the bodyshell.
1/32 resin slot car Alfasud ti in Jagermeister ETCC livery c.1978. Resin bodyshell by Joeslot and PCS32 chassis.
The forlorn bodyshell of Class 73/1, 73134 "Woking Homes 1885 - 1985" stands in its long-term resting place outside the Brush Traction works at Loughborough.
Having been used as a spares donor for the 73/9 rebuilds done at Brush, the future remains unclear for 73134 - with its fate being even more uncertain following the recent announcement that the Brush Traction works will close by the end of 2021.
Taken 23/10/19 and one for those that like some station with their train snaps.
According to Wikipedia the Classs 800s are "... a type of electro-diesel train used in the United Kingdom, based on the Hitachi A-train design. They have been built by Hitachi since 2015. The first units entered service on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) in October 2017, and will enter service on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from December 2018.
These trains are being assembled at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe facility, alongside the related Class 801 electric multiple unit, from bodyshells shipped from the Kasado plant in Japan; no body construction takes place in the UK.
The Class 800 units are known as IETs (Intercity Express Trains), as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). They have been named Azuma, meaning East in Japanese, by future operator Virgin Trains East Coast."
First Greater Western Limited, trading as Great Western Railway (GWR), is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that operates the Greater Western railway franchise
The Citroën AX is a supermini car which was built by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1986 to 1998. It was launched at the 1986 Paris Motor Show to replace the Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA.
Development of this model started in 1983, and it was initially also going to form the basis of a sister model from Talbot to replace the Samba; however, the falling popularity of the Talbot brand - coupled with the huge success of the new Peugeot 205 - had led to Peugeot deciding to axe it by the time the Citroën AX was launched, and so the Talbot version never made it into production.
With the final demise of the classic Citroën 2CV in 1990, the AX became the smallest model in the Citroën range.
The car was very economical, largely because of excellent aerodynamics for its class of car (drag coefficient of 0.31) and a very light weight of 640 kg (1,411 lb) for the basic version. This was due to the extensive use of plastic panels in non-load bearing areas and varying the thicknesses of steel in the bodyshell to be the minimum needed to take required loads
In 1989, a naturally aspirated diesel AX, using the 1360 cc, all aluminium alloy TUD engine, managed a figure of 2.7 litres per 100 kilometres (100 mpg‑imp; 87 mpg‑US), totalling over 1,000 miles (1,609 km) from Dover to Barcelona. This was the longest ever distance travelled on 10 imp gal (45.5 L; 12.0 US gal) of fuel and earned it a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the most economical production car.
Estimated : € 20.000 - 30.000
Sold for € 126.420
The Renault Icons
Auction - Artcurial
Renault Manufacture
Flins-sur-Seine
Aubergenville - France
December 2025
- Display model true to the Benetton B195
- Benetton’s best season in Formula 1
- In the colours of Michael Schumacher, 1995 World Champion
For Benetton, the start of the 1990s was a time of increasing power. Flavio Briatore gradually brought together a true ‘dream team’ after securing the sponsorship funding to give him the means to match his ambitions. In 1991, he hired Michael Schumacher, who had just started out in F1 with Jordan, followed by Rory Byrne, a brilliant aerodynamicist, and Ross Brawn, who joined from Tom Walkinshaw Racing. In 1991, Benetton finished fourth in the World Championship, then third in 1992 and 1993, and in 1994, Schumacher was crowned World Champion, Benetton finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship. In 1995, it reaped the ultimate reward. Benetton took advantage of the change in regulations reducing the engine capacity allowed from 3.5 to 3 litres to give up the Ford Cosworth V8 in favour of the Renault V10. Installed in the new B195, it worked wonders, and Schumacher notched up nine victories, with another two for his team-mate Johnny Herbert. The German driver was crowned World Champion, and for the first time, Benetton claimed the Constructors’ title.
It was to evoke this magnificent season that this show car – a display model of the B195 – came about. The bodyshell was built in this context, and the car has no mechanical components other than those that can be seen. Its cockpit is equipped with a bucket seat and steering wheel, and the bodywork, bearing Schumacher’s name and his racing number 1, is finished in the blue, yellow and white colours of the period. In excellent condition, this superb show car is a reminder of Benetton’s greatest season and the tremendous success enjoyed by Renault’s engines.
1 fibreglass shell, only requiring many mechanical bits (likely sourced from a car wreckers) to complete...
Engine
2.9 L C-Series I6
Wheelbase
84 in (2,134 mm)[14] 1959 - 1961
86 in (2,184 mm)[15] 1961 - 1964
Length
187.75 in (4,769 mm)[14]
Width
68.5 in (1,740 mm)[14]
Height
59 in (1,499 mm)[14]
In October 1959 a new Austin A99 Westminster-based model was launched [16] under the name Princess 3-litre.[1] From July 1960[7] these vehicles bore the Vanden Plas name which became a badge-engineered brand in its own right (rather than being known as coachbuilder for the cars of other manufacturers). The car was a great deal smaller and less than 44 per cent of the price of the previous Princess IV Saloon and was instead largely identical to the Austin A99 Westminster and other models using the same Pininfarina-designed bodyshell. It featured a new distinctive Vanden Plas grille (fairly square, with a thick surround and vertical slats), round headlamps, and horn grilles on the front. The interior was lavish in typical Vanden Plas style, featuring burr walnut wood trim, leather seats and panels, and high-quality carpeting. A division between the driver and the rear compartment was an optional extra. Power was a 3-litre unit developing 108 hp (81 kW).[14]
A 3-litre Vanden Plas Princess with automatic transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1961 and had a top speed of 99.3 mph (159.8 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 16.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.1 miles per imperial gallon (13.4 L/100 km; 17.6 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £1467 including taxes.[14]
This model was replaced in 1961 by the Vanden Plas Princess 3-litre Mark II. Styling was similar but the wheelbase was two inches (5 cm) longer[15] and anti-roll bars were added to the suspension at both ends of the car.[15] The engine was uprated to 120 hp (89 kW). Better brakes were fitted, and interior improvements included built-in drop-down "picnic tables" for the rear seat passengers. Options now included "Smith's air-conditioning".[15]
This model lasted until 1964