150 bhp, 3,992 cc overhead-valve six-cylinder engine, twin SU carburettors, three-speed automatic or four-speed manual gearbox, independent coil-spring front suspension, half-inch leaf-spring rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes.

Wheelbase: 3,073 mm The Austin Princess owes its existence to World War II.

During the war, Austin’s manager, Leonard Lord, drove a Bentley and was so impressed with the car that he was inspired to create an Austin of similar quality but for a more affordable price.

Lord’s vision was first seen in 1947, with the Austin A110 Sheerline and A135 Princess DS1.

The Sheerline was bodied at Austin’s Longbridge factory, whilst the Princess had coachwork by Vanden Plas, who had become a subsidiary of Austin Motors in 1946.

When developing the DS7 Princess, Vanden Plas produced a one-off convertible version.

This was undertaken as a design study.

The styling of the side was the same as a DS7, but the Mark II Princess’s two-piece windscreen and semi-shroude...