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Founded as the British branch of the famous Belgian coachbuilding firm, Vanden Plas was acquired by Austin after World War Two, and provided custom coachwork on the bigger Austin chassis. It became a separate marque in 1960with the de luxe Austin Princess. In 1964 there was also the Vanden Plas 1100. The 1965 Princess R used a Rolls-Royce military engine of 3·9 litres. The latest Vanden Plas, the 1500, is a de luxe Austin Allegro. Vanden Plas also carried out coachwork for Daimler and Jaguar at their Park Royal, London, factory, but early in 1979 it was announced that the works were to be closed and activities transferred to Jaguar in Coventry. ©VEA
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