Lansdowne Models

Estimated Release Date - November

Estimated Release Date - October

Estimated Release Date - September

Estimated Release Date - July

Estimated Release Date - June

Estimated Release Date - May/June

Estimated Release Date - March

The Sunbeam Alpine was a success right from debut in 1959. With its Hillman Husky floorpan, mechanicals from the Rootes parts bin and Ford Thunderbird-inspired styling it was a very attractive car. However, there was always a feeling that the Alpine could do with a little more performance, particularly on the American market. The rather staid AC Ace had been transformed into the Cobra by squeezing a Ford V8 under the bonnet and sales were dramatic. It was decided to follow this format.

Release Date:- April 2012

Release Date:- Early January 2012

Less flamboyant than the Art Deco Kestrel, more modern than the traditional Lynx, and more conservative than the svelte Continental, the Adelphi represented the middle ground of Riley's mid 1930's cars. With its handbuilt wood-framed coachwork, centre lock wire wheels and high-efficiency engine the Adelphi was a most desirable sporting saloon.

The Bristol 406 which was introduced in 1957 had completely new styling which lacked the rounded looks of its predecessor. It was also the last Bristol to employ the well tried 6 cylinder engine, albeit in modified form, before American V8 power took over. The same basic body design with subtle modiciations would last right through to the 411.

When David Brown took over Aston Martin in the last 1940s, the DB2 was the first Aston Martin to use the excellent 2.5 litre Lagonda engine that had been designed by W.O. Bentley. Intended as a rapid Touring car the DB2 became successful in competition also. By 1955 the DB2-4 Series 11 was equipped with a 2922cc version of the original Lagonda unit and was good for 120 mph with a 0-50 mph time of a whisker over 8 seconds.

The new Series 1 Hillman Minx was launched in 1956 and demand quickly exceeded supply.

The station wagon followed in June 1957, only to be replaced by the Series 11 Jubilee range two months later, meaning the Series 1 Estate had a very short production run indeed.
None of these early wagons are thought to have survived although the station wagon version remained unchanged bar trim details in both Hillman and Singer variants until 1962.

The Lagondas of the mid to late 1930s were magnificent cars designed by none other than W.O. Bentley. The LG45 series was available in both short and long versions with both saloon and convertible options. The Rapide (LDM 78) shared the same V12 engine as the saloons, although shared no common body parts.

In 1948 Rootes Group's large Humbers were given a facelift with extensive front end styling influenced by the Loewy Studios. Available in saloon and long wheelbase forms as before, a convertible was also now offered. Coachwork was entrusted not to Thrupp and Maberley but Tickford who specialised in convertibles. Not many convertibles were built and restored examples are highly prized today.

The 1970s marked the high point of Bristol's large American V8-powered sports saloons. Immediately recognisable by its modified front end with twin headlights, the 411 Series 111 was a high performance express for those who were lucky enough to be able to afford it.

The VA was MGs entry into the 1.5 litre sporting saloon car market, going up against the SS Jaguar , Riley and Triumph. It has always been intended that a small brother to the larger SA would be built and the VA was begun in 1935. With bodywork designed by Cecil Kimber and a 1548cc engine shared with the Wolseley 12/48 the new small MG saloon was offered at around £300, following its principal competitors. Although two examples, a saloon and a tourer, were announced in October 1936, production commenced early the following year. Sales were steady and fell short of its competitors.

Release Date:- Postponed until Further Notice

When John Bolster road tested the Bristol 411 in 1972 he described the car as ‘memorable’ and observed that it was the fastest genuine touring saloon on the market, beating the mighty Mercedes-Benz 300SEL. With a 6.3litre Chrysler engine coupled to the same company’s torque-flite automatic box the 411 could reach 0-50 in 5.1 seconds and go on to a top speed of 138 mph.Hand-built in Bristol, all Bristol cars were, and still are, constructed to the very highest standards.

This magnificent motor car was built for Woolf Barnato by H.J. Mulliner. Originally mounted on a 1934, 3½ litre chassis, Barnato was so pleased with the car that he asked Mulliner to transfer the body to the new 4 ¼ litre chassis. Finished in silver-blue with a dark blue interior the Concealed Drophead Coupe featured wood finished trim along the top of the doors and across the car behind the rear seats. The hood was concealed under a metal panel.

When John Bolster road tested the Bristol 411 in 1972 he described the car as ‘memorable’ and observed that it was the fastest genuine touring saloon on the market, beating the mighty Mercedes-Benz 300SEL. With a 6.3litre Chrysler engine coupled to the same company’s torque-flite automatic box the 411 could reach 0-50 in 5.1 seconds and go on to a top speed of 138 mph. Hand-built in Bristol, all Bristol cars were, and still are, constructed to the very highest standards.

Railton began producing cars in 1933. Arising from the remnants of the old Invicta Company, the factory was situated in Capt. Noel Macklin’s garden at Cobham. The idea of using a large unstressed American or Canadian engine coupled with bespoke British coachwork was not unique to Railton with a select group of other small manufacturers like Jensen, Lammas-Graham, Atalanta and Brough joining in the fun. These ‘Anglo-American Bastards’ as the type became known, enjoyed a degree of success through the 1930s.

The Riley 1.5 and its slightly more staid cousin, the Wolseley 1500, appeared in 1957, giving both marques a much-needed presence in the small luxury car market. The 1500 concept had its beginnings in 1951 with a proposed restyle of the Morris Minor. Due to healthy sales of the original Minor design the restyle was shelved but the project continued until the decision was made to use the BMC 'B' series engine, move the car upmarket and provide two separate versions.

First of Rootes Audax designs and a new departure for Sunbeam. Later versions would become a rally legend.

The 8 litre was W.O. Bentley's finest moment. Unfortunately this magnificent automobile couldn't save the company from bankruptcy.

A beautiful car from the Riley stable which formed a strong range along with the Adelphi and Lynx.

The original Herald made its bow in 1959. By 1967 the car had been updated and was still selling well.

The last large Riley saloon which was really a dressed up Wolseley 6/90.
Sales were poor and production lasted two years.

Along with its Riley cousin, the 1500 was based on the Morris Minor floorplan. Luxury motoring on a budget.

The Wolseley 4/44 was introduced in 1952 with bodywork by Gerald Palmer and a power unit closely resembling the MG YB saloon. The MG Magnette which followed soon after, shared the same basic bodywork.

The Humber Super Snipe MK I appeared in 1945 and ran for three years. In 1949 the model was extensively revised with a new front end which was the same as the Pullman limousine. The Loewy Studio were heavily involved in the restyle. The MK III was essentially the same with rear wheel spats and some changes to the rear suspension.

Touring limousine and convertible bodies were also available and the MK III lasted until 1952 before being replaced by the all new MK IV.

Our rendition is finished in Gunmetal.

The Vitesse Sports Saloon, although very closely related under the skin, was a conventionally designed car, which bore a resemblance to the SS and MGSA along with other sporting saloons such as the AC Greyhound and Jensen S Type.

The Vitesse was available as a Four with a 10.8hp engine, and a Six with 15.7hp. Our model represents the Six at £425 on the road.

Our rendition is finished in Grey.

The Consul used a four cylinder engine and the Zephyr a six and both models appeared at the 1950 Earls Court Motor Show. They caused a sensation. The first Consul was driven off the assembly line on January 1st 1951 with the Zephyr following a month later. In late 1952 convertible versions became available in limited quantities and in 1953 the Zodiac completed the line-up.

Our rendition is finished in Canterbury Green.

Received well by the buying public, the Mk V1 was also greeted with enthusiasm by the various coachbuilders associated with the marque and within a couple of years such makers as James Young and H.J. Mulliner were offering special coachwork on the MkV1 chassis. At the end of 1951 the MkV1 engine was slightly enlarged and the following year the Continental Sports Saloon was added to the range, at first for export only.In 1953 the MkV1 was replaced by the R type which featured lengthened bodywork aft of the rear wheels. Our rendition is finished in Midnight Blue.

To style the new sports model, the Hurlock brothers consulted Freddie March, a keen Brooklands racer and future Goodwood circuit founder. March’s inspired designs set the style for this desirable sports car range that AC marketed as ‘The Saville Row of Motordom.’ The 16/80 was very successful in all types of pre-war competition including both rallies and trials. Counting the supercharged 16/90 model, just 44 of these desirable two-seaters were produced between 1936-39. This model was based on the car now owned by Lord March, the grandson of its original stylist

To style the new sports model, the Hurlock brothers consulted Freddie March, a keen Brooklands racer and future Goodwood circuit founder. March’s inspired designs set the style for this desirable sports car range that AC marketed as ‘The Saville Row of Motordom.’ The 16/80 was very successful in all types of pre-war competition including both rallies and trials. Counting the supercharged 16/90 model, just 44 of these desirable two-seaters were produced between 1936-39. This model was based on the car now owned by Lord March, the grandson of its original stylist.

Production Run : 2008

British styling combined with large American engines proved popular. Jensen was one of a number of small companies to use this formula along with Railton, Atalanta and Allard. The S Type usually used a Ford V8 of just over 3 and a half litres. At around £700 it was not a cheap car, competing with the likes of Alvis, British Salmson, and the more overtly sporting Frazer-Nash.

Our rendition is finished in Blue.

At just over £1,000 in total the 6/90 was competitively priced and reasonably well. The car also found favour with police forces, taking over from the 6/80. In October 1956 the series 2 was announced with a number of mechanical revisions and only eight months later the Series 3 arrived with larger rear window, larger rearlights and other under-the-skin revisions. This model ran until 1959 before making way for the Farina-styled 6/99.

Our rendition is finished in Mist Grey.

These new small cars from Ford were replacements for the old 'sit-up-and-beg' Anglia and Prefect which were pre-war designs. Bodywork was entirely new with marked styling cues from the larger Consul which had been introduced three years earlier. The two-door Anglia provided basic transport whilst the four-door Prefect offered a little more luxury. Engines for both were 1172cc side valve units mated to three speed gearboxes.

Our rendition is finished in Lichfield Green.