should I buy?

From Manchester,

I have the opportunity to buy a 1962 Austin Princess Limousine for £2500. The mot has just run out. I have tried to research the price of these cars but can't find anything after 1958. Is there anything I should watch out for? How much should I be paying?

From London Bridge,

Do not do it a car like that is a waste of money only fit for a museum.

Hi, not sure just what model you're talking about, but unless you are really dedicated and passionate about the particular car, stay away! £2500 is a high price unless it's in really outstanding condition.



There are several postwar Austins bearing the "princess" name. I think most were made in the 1950's and all used the huge, heavy 4-litre engine. Kinda agricultural! Most of the "sheerlines" got scrapped by Rolls-Royce restorers for their Lucus P100 headlights, which are worth far more than the cars.

It's replacement, the Princess IV was late-fifties and actually is very rare (a polite way of saying nobody bought one)

I think the one you've been offered could be the VDP 135, which actually survived (limped?) into the mid-1960s, still with the old 4-litre 6. Very few were ever bought by private owners. Most went to local councils or wedding hire firms.

Bad news about these cars is that with their coachbuilt bodies they are as complicated and expensive to maintain and restore as, say, a MkVI Bentley without any of the value once it's done. Yeah, you'll get about 12mpg as well.

From Behind You,

Hi robg, Do you have any experience of running classic cars? If you do then i cant help you much as I dont know much about the princess; but if you havent had the pleasure/duty then there are a few things you should know:



i) something is almost always a few months from failing on a classic car due to very different ages of the various parts

ii) they are great fun when they run

iii) they may not always run. dont buy one for your only car if your car must be dependable



i have a 1973 MGB GT - it has caused me o! so much pain and inconvenience but on a rolling country road it is just so wonderful it hard to put it into words!