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Some Limited Edition cars, along the lines of the Ford Zephyr 6 Mk. IV Special or the Hillman Hunter Topaz, were produced to clear the showrooms of soon to be replaced models. Others, such as the Morris Minor Million, the Mini 1100 Special or the Ford Capri 280 “Brooklands”, celebrated a milestone anniversary or marked the end of a highly respected vehicle. But this 1980 Leyland Princess 2200 HLS Automatic owned by Paul Vincent is so exclusive that it was not even available to the general public.

Yes, to gain the keys you needed to become a member of the “100 Club”. At first sight, it sounds reminiscent of an international villains’ federation in The Professionals or Return of The Saint. It could also be a criminal organisation masterminded by Peter Wyngarde in a 1967 episode of The Avengers or a Swinging London nightclub from Man in a Suitcase. In reality, the Club represented the top 100 BL dealer principals, whose efforts Leyland might reward with an overseas holiday.

But in 1980 Longbridge decided such devoted sale professionalism merited a car. The most successful Jaguar-Rover-Triumph franchisees gained an SD1 3500 Vanden Plas while their Austin-Morris counterparts gained a “100 Club Special” Princess. The fittings included a Britax electric glass sunroof, a “Radiomobile” radio-cassette player and Smiths “Servoglide’” electric windows. Better still, the cabin, with its pile carpets and seats upholstered in “Spanish Rose” velour, resembled the living room in George and Mildred.

Leyland further ensured the Special could never be confused with a standard 2200HLS via an eye-catching two-tone paint scheme with a black coachline and three-quarter panels devoid of vinyl-cladding. The wheels also featured 14-inch “Rimbellishers” and the lucky award-winner also gained a complementary tie and briefcase combination, which no doubt evoked gasps of envy from the neighbours.

However, the 100 Club story, as with all British Leyland products of this era, was not straightforward.

I understand that they were difficult to produce as they had to be removed from the production line for the extra work required. Typically for BL, production of them was a complete shambles as they were produced randomly over several months instead of a few weeks as scheduled. Many of them weren’t ready in time for distribution to the 100 Club winners of 1980. Some were sold directly to the public as new cars, but all ended up being sold as used cars eventually, meaning few survive.

In the event, BL issued 87 100 Club Princesses and RPV 585 W originally hailed from a Cambridgeshire Mann Egerton dealership. It certainly attracted attention at the NEC and in Practical Classics, although Kev thinks the chances of such a car becoming part of the Princess range were limited. ‘The extra cost of production couldn’t be recovered from already uninterested car buyers’.

In any case, the replacement Ambassador was due for launch in March 1982, yet the 100 Club Special still appears a lost opportunity for Leyland. After all, a Pewter Metallic over Romano Purple “Wedge” would have enlivened even the drabbest of early 1980s shopping precincts.

With Thanks To: Paul Vincent, Kev Davis and www.leylandprincess.co.uk/

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