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www.leylandprincess.co.uk Wedge Stories
Robin
Siggs 1700HL My passion for the princess started
from the earliest memories of my childhood probably when I was about four
years old. This was because both my sets
of grandparents owned Princesses and over 15 year period they had both owned
two to each. I believe the cars were
an The reason for my passion for the
Wedge is that I liked cars from a young age but when I was very young my
parents only had a basic spec mk1 Fiesta.
But luckily my dads farther who now had the 2000HL lived only two
miles away and I would often be ferried around in this. Now I don’t need to tell you that the
cropped nylon seats seemed like absolute luxury when compared to hard sticky
vinyl seats of the fiesta even to four-year-old kid. But it was also for many other reasons, as
I have hazy recollections of helping to wash the cars and starting to realise
how the big the cars was, how I placed extra effort in to trying to get all
the chrome parts as shiny as possible, and also I loved (and still do) the
wheel trims especially with the Leyland badge in the centre. However now I am older I can be more
objective and have the distinct feeling that if we had owned a cortina or
perhaps a cavalier that I would have one these now instead. I have read other wedge stories from other
members and I agree that much of the pleasure of driving and owning a
Princess is because of childhood memories. But now I actually own one I love
driving it and believe the princess is an apt name for the car. I say this because you have to drive it
gracefully the combination of hydragas suspension engine and gearbox means
steady rather than fast driving style has to be adopted. Many of the criticism laid at the
Princesses door are that they are under powered (but was anything in it class
at the time that much faster?) but it is only on motorways were the 50-70mph
acceleration were it has felt that slow to me and mine is 1700!, and one of
the good things about Leyland is if you wanted a bit more poke you could get
and SD1. I personally also love the
soft ride of the Princess it really is the most comfortable car I have driven
or rode in and although it rolls in corners it feels stable and assured and I
find it adds to the experience especially on a twisty B road. The gearbox, well it is notchy but if you
take soft hands approach both up and down with practise, and some
double-de-clutching on the road it becomes unnoticeable. Although I have to confess finding first
can be difficult! and if there is one thing I would love to change it would be
the addition of a fifth gear. The Princess really comes into it own
when you consider the overall design both in and out. The cabin is huge allowing five adults to sit
in genuine comfort, which friends and family have often remarked on and the
seats are very comfortable. Outside,
though, I think it is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. For me the Wolseley and Morris 18-22 series
are the best looking the combination of quad headlamps, stylised grille, and
raised bonnet give a look of graceful menace but the profile view of any
wedge is exquisite; unmatched by any normal car that I can think of. Well-done Harris Mann! Having decided on buying a Princess I
new that a national search would be required, before I bought mine I hadn’t
seen one for at least a decade. So I
thought lets try ebay and after a little while a Pageant Blue Princess 2
(79T) 1700HL came up with a description that defied belief. It was in showroom condition, had only done
23,000 miles, no rust, and the interior was in mint condition was this
possible! It was also MoT’d, and taxed. I decided to phone the vendor and was
surprised to learn he had been let down twice already (was it mutton dressed
as lamb) and he was keen to do a deal and thus we agreed a price. I then had
a minor heart attack realising I had bought a car without even looking at it
and was 300 miles away! Due to the distance it was week
before I could arrange to pick it up, thus on a sunny May morning at 7.30 my
brother drove my dad and I to Stonegate station to begin our 600 mile round
trip. Well the day could not of gone
any better, we needed to make 3 train connections and the longest we had to
wait was five minutes for the third connection. We duly arrived at Truro station at about
2.20pm and as I walked of the train I could see the sleek, unmistakable
pageant blue lines of the Princess. My dad and I jumped in to the car and
Nick to took us into the car park were we exchanged documents and cash and
looked round the car, everything seemed as described now it was just a matter
of driving the car home. I was very
apprehensive about driving it because was such good condition but dad said
you bought it you drive it. I quickly got used to the car apart from not
begin able to see the front corners due to the high bonnet line but 150 miles
passed effortlessly. We then stopped
for a bite to eat and then dad took over and the rest of the journey passed
without incident and we arrived home at about 9.30 tired but not stressed and
without a hint of discomfort, those seats are just so comfortable. I have now had the car for 3 years
and it has just passed it MoT. I have had to fit a water pump and
reconditioned alternator and starter motor and all other service items. I only use the car sparingly and do not use
it everyday to try and keep it in the best condition possible. I also hope to add to my collection;
anyone got a Morris 2200HL going cheap! Added 10th May 2006.
Updated 15th May 2008. Tell us
your Princess story. Email it to me and I’ll put
it on the site, and don’t forget the pictures! |
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