MORRIS 1100

Vanden Plas Princess 1100

Vanden Plas was originally a coach building company but came under control of Austin in 1946. Vanden Plas produced luxuriously appointed versions of various Austin models during the 1950s.

In 1963 a Morris 1100 was given the luxury treatment by Vanden Plas at the request of a customer. The finished car impressed BMC so much that they decided to put it into production. About 16,000 Mk1 Princess 1100s were produced in England 1963-1968.

New Car pricelists of the time show the Vanden Plas Princess 1100 was the only non-Morris version offically available from BMC in Australia, fully imported of course.

Its price in 1965 was £1,627 - twice the price of a Volkswagen 1200 (£799), considerably more expensive than the locally made Morris 1100 at £979 and £50 dearer than Holden's 6cyl luxury "Premier X2" flagship model.

Registration figures indicate about 23 were sold new:

1965, 14 in NSW; 5 in South Australia; and one in Victoria
1966, one each in South Australia and Tasmania
1967, one in Western Australia

Apart from the distinctive front styling, the Princess 1100 featured many other luxuries that the Morris 1100 did not.

Twin carburettor engine
Burr Walnut fascia and door cappings
Clock, ammeter and oil pressure gauges
Leather seats and armrests
Full carpeting including the boot
Reversing lamp and electric windscreen washers
Fold-out picnic tables for rear seat occupants
Individual reading lamps for rear seat occupants