The following is a report produced by the late John Jewison and his wife Christine during their ownership of YDT 307G in about 1994. I am indebted to Christine for allowing me to reproduce it here. The report is produced verbatim from the typewritten original.

R  O  A  D   T  E  S  T   R  E  P  O  R  T

1969 VANDEN PLAS "PRINCESS" 1300 AUTOMATIC SALOON

Brief Specification:

Four door saloon with a 4 cylinder "A" series 1275cc transverse engine driving the front wheels through a 4 speed automatic gear-box.

Length        12'-3"                   
Width        5'-0¹/₂"
Height        4'-5"
Weight        1,990 lbs
Top speed    86mph
Economy    36mpg
0-60    "in a long time"

Owners: John and Christine
Jewison of Doncaster.

Introduction

In the early sixties the BMC Mini was one of the most popular and economical motor cars being produced. Designed by Alec Issigonis it was the first transverse engined, front wheel drive small car and started a trend which continues today.

In 1962 it was followed by the BMC Morris 1100 saloon, same concept but a little larger (the first "super-mini"?) The Morris 1100 was also produced as an Austin, a Wolseley, a Riley and an MG. All these variants had the same body and mechanics but had different levels of trim and, in the case of the Riley and MG versions, performance. Later the 1100 engine was bored out to give the 1300 option.

The Vanden Plas model was added because Mr Fred Connolly, of the famous leather company, asked Vanden Plas Coachworks to build a special luxury version of the Morris 1100 for his own use. The result was so good that BMC decided at once to put it into production as the "top of the range" model and batches of partly constructed 1100s were removed from the Longbridge production line and taken to Vanden Plas at their Kingsbury Works for detail finishing. The finest hides, walnut veneers and carpets were used to give the cars a feeling of luxury and opulence previously unknown in a car of this size and cost.

How much?

In 1969 a Vanden Plas 1300 would have set you back about £1,000 including purchase tax. Now, one in first class order with low mileage would cost an enthusiast somewhere between £2,000 and £3,000.

The Road Test.

This particular car is immaculate in Sherwood Green with champagne interior and bright chromium plated bumpers, grille and hub-caps etc. as was popular in its heyday. At the front the car is graced by a traditionally styled radiator grille and has twin recessed fog-lamps.

Open the driver's door and you are met by the sumptuous appearance of the interior, leather faced seating, traditional cloth head-lining material (no nasty plastic here!) and a wide walnut dashboard with full instrumentation with the speedo registering only 38,200 miles. A short central lever operates the auto 'box and a radio is fitted under the dash. There is a narrow, full width parcel shelf and a glove box which opens to form a small picnic table with recessed cup holder. Between the front seats is a hinged arm rest. The front seats are fully adjustable and the backrests can be reclined by rotating a small winder. In the rear compartment, passengers can sit comfortably with good leg and head room. In the centre is a folding arm rest. In the back of both front seats is a walnut veneered picnic table similar to the ones found in Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. Rear seat passengers note with pleasure that the rear individual interior lamps operate as each door is opened. On leaving the car doors close with an agreeable "clunk".

The boot has a lift up lid which reveals a moderately sized flat load area. The spare wheel and tools are located within the boot but under the floor which can be a bind if a flat catches you out with a full compliment of luggage. The engine bay is reached by operating a small, hard-to-find knob under (way under!) the dash. All levels can be checked without difficulty. There is much soundproofing material in evidence which may explain the low level of mechanical noise from within the cabin.

Turn the key and the engine starts at once and quickly settles into a quiet tick-over. Select "drive" and increase the engine speed and the car moves off with rapid change-ups through the delightful automatic 'box. The car feels very taut belying its 25 years. Mechanical noise is at a minimum but there is a constant rumble from the tyres and at around 50mph there is a drumming which quickly passes as a higher or lower speed is attained. The "ride on air" hydrolastic suspension is excellent...why was it dropped? Cornering and road-holding in general are poor mainly due to the original equipment cross ply tyres which are fitted. Radial tyres would make a vast improvement.

The auto 'box is worth a mention, the gear changes can be felt and the frequency of changes can be irritating but the 'box lends itself to manual operation enabling gears to be held. A nice feature is a "free wheel" on first gear which is a boon in heavy traffic. For full power there is a "kick-down" on top gear.

The 1.3 litre engine is lack-lustre by modern standards. Flatten the "loud" pedal and the "lift-off" is rather sedate. 60mph is easily reached and the car will proceed at the legal maximum on motorways although, to be truthful, it sounds happier at around 65mph.

Verdict.

This is a lovely "classic" car quite suitable for everyday use. It would not look out of place at the local Supermarket or the London Hilton. It is truly a small luxury motor car made by one of the worlds best Coachbuilders giving a comfortable relaxed ride for 4 passengers and luggage but without electric windows and central locking which are now a requirement of "top of the range" models. A credit to British Motor Industry of 25 years ago.

Christine + John Jewison