Princess 4 Litre
'R'
It was in 1962 that BMC and Rolls Royce
were in talks to discuss technical co-operation. In August 1964
the
Vanden Plas 4 litre 'R'
came out, this was based on the Princess 3 litre. body and
suspension. The idea behind the deal was to produce an upmarket
executive car. Various options were looked at, but as time went on,
Rolls Royce got less interested, and so BMC decided to take the
3,909 cc Rolls-Royce FB 60 engine and install it in a revised
Princess 3 litre body.
Rolls Royce FB 60
engine
Under the
Bonnet
The alloy-block engine was
a revised version of an earlier engine which had been used
in many military
vehicles, and was actually produced at Longbridge for the Austin
Champ.
It was in 1958 that Rolls-Royce decided to make an aluminium alloy
version of the six-cylinder 130bhp as an experimental unit. It was
over-square with a moderate compression ratio and proved to produce
more power and had faster response to the throttle along with
having only four litres capacity.
After various modifications taking place, mainly to redesign
components for mass production, BMC gave the go-ahead, and in 1963
a new line was laid at Rolls Royce Crewe factory. This new 3909cc
engine weighs only 450lb and with a compression ratio 7.8 to 1
develops 175 bhp at 4,800 rpm.
It used a Borg-Warner model
8 automatic gearbox, which was an upgraded model 35 which was used
on a variety of vehicles. Power steering was the standard
Hydrosteer supplied by Cam Gears, some people though the steering
was too light.
Although body changes to
the 4 litre R at first glance seemed few, the most obvious was at
the rear with rounded rear fins and different light clusters, along
with a raised boot sill. Top of both the front and rear glass
blended into the roof line, giving a more pleasing look. Increased
headroom was achieved by having a more vertical rear window. At the
front the fog lamps were recessed in what was the horn apertures on
the 3litre along with larger lamps for the side-flashers units.
Also when the sidelights are switched on both the stop lamps and
flasher units are automatically dimmed.
The interior fully
maintains the high stands associated with Vanden Plas coach
building. Walnut fascia, door sills and picnic tables for the rear
passengers impart the right air of luxury to a car of this class.
The seats all have hide upholstery, and both the front seats are
fully reclining. With a full set of instruments a cigar lighter,
map reading light, and fresh air vents are provided. The 'R' was
quieter than the 3litre as more sound deadening material was been
used on the floor, bulkhead and under-bonnet.
The prime market for the
model was in the USA. but sales were slow, although about 4,500
were sold between 1964/68. In the UK and Europe sales were about
2,000 with the total produced over the four years been 6,555.
Production was to be about 100 vehicles a week, although this was
probable achieved in the early life of the car. With production
exceeding sales, it was necessary to reduce production according,
at one time they were been stockpiled. I think that one of the main
reason that sales were disappointing was that the body style was
not that different to the 3 litre. Cost also was a factor, as at
£1994, it was over £500 more than the 3 litre.
Production of the
body-running gear was at Morris Cowley plant, then they were
transported down to the Vanden Plas factory at Kingsbury London,
where the interior trim was fitted.
Date when launched August
1964 Discontinued in 1968
Total produced 6,781
Engine Rolls Royce FB 60
3,909cc 175 bhp at 4,800 rpm Max torque 218lbs/ft at 3,000
rpm
Main measurements
Length 15ft 8ins Width 5ft 8.5ins Height 4ft 11ins
Wheelbase 9ft 2ins Track front 4ft 6.9ins rear 4ft
5.3ins
Price at launch £1,994