The Vanden Plas Owners’ Club has announced plans for a five-car display at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show (10-12 November), including one of British Leyland’s rarest prototypes.
The star of the VPOC stand is set to be the one-off ‘Landcrab’ prototype. Created in 1971 using a Woleseley 18/85, the project was ultimately scrapped – a fate that the prototype thankfully escaped. Instead of being destroyed, the car was used as a factory runabout before entering semi-retirement. It’s now based in Scotland.
Also on display will be the club’s oldest car, a Richmond Red Austin 105. The car is one of just 500 Westminster saloons built between 1958 and 1959 that were sent to the Kingsbury Works to receive a luxurious leather interior. It is one of just three thought to survive.
A 1960 Pininfarina-styled 3 Litre Princess is also set to take pride of place on the stand. It will be joined by a 1978 1500 saloon, which has been in the same family since new, plus a decidedly more modern 1989 Rover 216 with less than 10,000 miles on the clock.
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC
