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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.
This Princess HLS 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 new ICI
seat fabrics with new pattern 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.
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