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PRINCESS 2: To Boldly ‘O’
Princess 2
1700L
1700 &
2000HL
1700 &
2000HLS (from May 1979)
2200HL (until
Jan 1979), HLS
It was a case of the same but different
for the Princess 2 with the specifications, L, HL and HLS continuing as
before. Along with the new engines the Princess 2 received a minor facelift,
the Princess script was deleted from the C-posts and grille, new side
repeaters were fitted to the front wings, and the coachline continued forward
of the wheel arch. Door mirrors were now satin black and all versions, except
L (which had chrome hubcaps) wore the plastic wheel trims previously
exclusive to the HLS, now with black rubber wheel nut covers instead of solid
chrome nuts. Rear badging was modified with 2 smaller badges each side of the
boot replacing the original full width badge bar.
The basic model, the 1700L, was
offered with vinyl-covered seats, a pair of speakers and an aerial – but no
radio! However, late in 1979 a radio was fitted as standard along with
cropped nylon seat facings. The 1700L pictured below shows the new rear badge
arrangement for the Princess 2.
The Princess HLS below is fitted with the Dunlop Denovo
tyre and wheel option, identifiable by the black and silver wheel trims.
It was business as
usual for the interior design wise, but it was usefully upgraded. The
dashboard and centre console were now only available in black, and a wooden
dash insert was now fitted to all models except the L, which had a matt black
finish insert. The graphics on the dials were also improved though the
reflective dial glasses problem still hadn’t been cured. The steering wheel
received a new centre pad and the rim was now covered in leather. Note that a
radio was still an extra cost option except on HLS models.
Late in 1979 further upgrades
included nylon seat facings on the L model, and a radio became standard
across the range. The warning lights on the dash were now square and, at
last, featured graphics informing the driver of their identity.
Sales of the 2200HL were slow so it
was discontinued in January 1979 and replaced in May with HLS versions of the
1700 and 2000 - increasing the model range from five to six cars - thus
making the 2200HLS the only six-cylinder model in the range. This was later
reduced to five models again as the 1700HLS was deleted.
PRINCESS 2
FACELIFT
Princess 2
1.7 L HL
2.0 HL HLS
2.2 HLS
In November 1980 the Princess 2 received
its final makeover. Doorframe surrounds were now either satin black or satin
brown depending on choice of colour to match the vinyl panels (except ‘L’,
which were body colour), and bigger door mirrors and new coachlines were
added below the waistline, one stripe for L, two for HL and three for HLS.
Alloy wheels became available as an option for the first time; the standard
wheel trims were now a matt grey colour with a central ‘P’ motif, replacing
the Leyland logo. The chrome wheel arch extensions and the crown on the
bonnet were also deleted and replaced by the new corporate logo on the
grille. Apparently, the logo is a stylised version of the original flying ‘A’
that adorned the grilles of Austin cars up to the late 50’s.
The rear badge arrangement was changed to
identify the ‘new’ Princess 2, with chromed lettering and a big blue 2.
Interior changes were limited to a new seat fabric design and trim
colours, and the new corporate logo in the centre of the steering wheel pad.
There was also an improvement in sound deadening inside the Princess 2,
especially at the rear thanks to thicker insulation.
These last of line Princesses are probably the nicest
looking but are rare due to their short 12-month production run and the fact
that sales of this version were woeful in comparison to previous years; just
4471 found homes in 1981.
This page updated 9th March 2008.
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