Vanden Plas Coach Builders
Vanden
Plas originated in Belgium, although the name is derived from the
Dutch, and should actually be pronounced as Van Der Plas.
In 1870 the company started up with a workshop in Brussels making
at first wheels but later on they started producing axle units for
carriages. But in 1884 they decides to move to Antwerp where they
earned a reputation making horse drawn carriages. Because of
increased orders in 1890 another branch was opened back in
Brussels. They exhibited their products at various trade fairs
through out the world, and in 1900 received the highest award give
to a Belgium coach-builder. This was a turning point and orders
came rolling in from various European car manufactures.
By the year 1908, Vanden Plas workforce had increased to about 400
producing around 300 special bodies a year. Production continued to
increase year on year, so that by 1913 it had reached the figure of
about 750.
It was decided to set up a subsidiary in the UK, so in March 1913
Vanden Plas (England) Ltd was formed. Various changes were made
over the years until in 1923 when its name became Vanden Plas
(England) 1923 Limited and was based at Kingsbury London. All the
major luxury motor manufactures, such as Bently Alvis and Logonda
had coach built bodies by Vanden Plas.
Vanden
Plas body on a Leyland 1923
The
Austin Motor Company decided to purchase the company in 1946. So
when the Austin Sheerline was announced it was available as a
Princess with a coach built body by Vanden Plas.
(see A125/135) Various
body styles were produced on the Austin chassis including
specialist Ambulances and Hearses. With any new model announcement
made by Austin, a Vanden Plas version usually followed.
Also they often made one off's for wealthy clients. Her Majesty the
Queen Elizabeth II had numerous models with Vanden Plas bodies at
the Palaces. So various luxury versions of the following, Austin
A105 saloon, Austin A99 Westminster and the 3 Litre Princess were
introduced.
Vanden
Plas 3 litre Princess
It
was in 1964 that the Vanden Plas 4 litre R came out, this was based
on the Princess 3 litre. body and suspension. The development of
the car was a joint project with BMC and Rolls Royce in the early
60s.
Vanden
Plas 4 litre R
__________________
Vanden
Plas Princess 1300
In
1962 the Morris 1100 was announced, Fred Connolly the founder of
the company that supplied leather to the motor industry
commissioned Vanden Plas to make a special version. A prototype was
exhibited at the 1963 London Show and aroused a lot of interest so
it was put into full scale production by BMC management with
deliveries starting in the winter. In 1968 the model received the
1300 cc engine and continued been made until May 1974.
In the the preceding years various other motor manufactures in the
Leyland Group had Vanden Plas versions produced.
Vanden
Plas 1500
September
1974 saw the launched of the Vanden Plas 1500 Saloon based upon the
Austin Allegro, it was not called a Princess as British Leyland had
decided to use it on their new 18/22 series of wedge shaped cars.
Sadly the Kingsbury site was closed in 1979 and production was
transferred to the MG factory at Abingdon, which then closed in the
following year.
From
1980 onwards the Vanden Plas name was added to the most expensive
luxury versions of the Austin Metro, Maestro, Montego and
Ambassador, as well as the Rover SD1 and 213/216
models.
Trim
Shop
If
anybody has pictures of the Vanden Plas factory, could you please
scan and email them
to me.