Pre-production Princess to star at NEC Classic Motor Show

The Leyland Princess website, which is celebrating its 10th birthday, has pulled off quite a coup for its stand at the 2013 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show held at the NEC in Birmingham on 15-17 November. It will be showing a pre-production 18-22-series Princess, which site creator Kevin Davis has confirmed was number 15 built, in June 1974.

The pre-production model is particularly fascinating because it was registered in July 1974 as a Wolseley before having its identity changed to a Princess over the years. Along with the other pre-production cars, this car was also a mule to test new or remodelled components.

The car still has its fascinating hand-written engineering log book that describes every change made to the car during its life as a mule

Kevin Davis also said: 'the car still has its fascinating hand-written engineering log book that describes every change made to the car during its life as a mule, describing changes in detail such as modified suspension components, different ride height settings, braking systems, steering, driveshafts, grilles, bonnets and so on.'

He continues: 'The car is also unique as it is finished in BL's blaze orange; a colour that was never adopted for the 18-22 Series Princess once it went into production in March 1975.'

This car has recently been recommissioned after 30 years by its owner Martin Nancekievel, who has owned the car since 1977, and the story of how he came to own the car is almost as interesting as the car itself. Kevin adds, 'He'll be at the show and will be pleased to go over the details of this unique Wedge with anyone who is interested. As far as anyone knows this is the oldest surviving roadworthy Princess and we're pleased to present it at the Classic Motor Show 2013.'

The pre-production car will be the centrepiece on a stand that will also be showing a selection of models that includes a 1979 Princess 2 2000HL, a 1979 Princess 2 1700HL in Pageant blue, the famous 1980 Princess 2 2000ST in Snapdragon, and a 1983 Austin Ambassador 2.0HL in Cashmere gold.

You can go the NEC Classic Motor Show for free. For your chance to win a pair of one day tickets, worth around £50, email and tell us why you love your classic car: Competitions@honestjohn.co.uk

The cars with the best stories will win a pair of tickets and the deadline for entries is 1 November.