1913 Vauxhall 25hp Prince Henry Sports Tourer
- Engine
- 4.0L inline-four, sidevalve
A 1913 Vauxhall 25hp Prince Henry Sports Tourer, chassis C27, regarded as the oldest surviving 4-litre example on the original narrow tapered chassis to standard specification. The car has a documented history stretching back to 1919, passed through several owners, and was acquired in derelict condition in 1961 by Ken Ball, who restored it and constructed a new four-seat body. It subsequently spent some 35 years in the care of former VCC president John Landless before passing to its present ownership in 2001, since when it has been maintained to a high standard by marque specialist Nigel Parrott.
Ownership
- 2023-04-16Auction saleEstimate £300,000 – £350,000
- → 1919Army officer posted to North Russiapartial documentation
Original owner placed the car for sale in August 1919, describing it as having low mileage and being in excellent condition, asking £895 with body and accessories.
- 1926-03-01 →Acquisition unknownJames Dittonfull documentation
Recorded in a buff continuation logbook as owner from March 1926; reportedly converted the vehicle into a light bus, a configuration it retained until around 1930.
- 1948 → 1961Acquisition unknownPercy Crittallpartial documentation
Discovered the car in Crowborough, East Sussex in 1948 and held it until selling to Ken Ball.
- 1961 → 1966-11-01Private saleKen Ballfull documentation
Acquired the dilapidated rolling chassis in Crowborough; carried out a full restoration including fabricating a new four-seat body in the early 1960s. Photographic documentation of the restoration and subsequent use survives on file.
- 1966-11-01 →AuctionHarold Webbpartial documentation
Purchased the car at a UK auction in November 1966 following Ken Ball's sale.
- → 2001-06-01Acquisition unknownJohn Landlesspartial documentation
Former VCC president who retained the car for approximately 35 years; a photograph of him with the vehicle at Shelsley Walsh in 1993 is among the on-file documentation.
- 2001-06-01 →Private saleCurrent enthusiast vendorsfull documentation
Purchased from John Landless; have maintained the car to a high standard through specialist N P Veteran Engineering, with documented expenditure exceeding £60,000.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMary and Rex Broughtonpartial documentation
Owned the car at some point after Harold Webb; precise dates not stated.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHumphrey Millingpartial documentation
Held the car between the Broughtons and John Landless; no dates provided.
Competition
- 1963Brighton & Hove Motor Club Speed TrialsDriver: Ken BallClass winner
One of several events attended by Ken Ball following his restoration of the car in the early 1960s.
- 1963VCC and VSCC International RallyDriver: Ken Ball
- 1963RAC Country Club Founding Anniversary, EpsomDriver: Ken Ball
A photograph of the car at this event was published in The Autocar dated 2nd August.
- 1993Shelsley WalshDriver: John Landless
Photographic evidence of the car at this event during John Landless's ownership is held on file.
- —Firle Hill ClimbDriver: Ken Ball
Participation confirmed for the 1960s but no specific year recorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2001ServiceN P Veteran Engineering
Ongoing expert maintenance undertaken by Nigel Parrott of NP Veteran Engineering following the current ownership's acquisition; bills on file record total expenditure exceeding £60,000.
Work spans from 2001 to the present day and is supported by an extensive file of invoices.
- —Modification
The car was converted from its original configuration into a light bus by owner James Ditton; it remained in this form until approximately 1930.
Date of conversion not precisely recorded; the buff logbook documents the vehicle's status as a light bus.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration of the rolling chassis carried out by Ken Ball in the early 1960s, including construction of a new four-seat open tourer body to replace the absent coachwork.
Photographic documentation of the car as found and of the new body being built survives on file.
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