Launched in 1964, the Vanden Plas 4- liter R was the only fruit of a liaison between Rolls Royce and the British Motor Corporation (BMC). It was a high specification, wood and leather luxury saloon based on the 3- liter A110 Westminster shell, but using a 4- liter Rolls Royce straight six engine. Externally, it sported clipped tail fins and horizontal tail lights, and more upright front and rear windscreens to increase the headroom inside. The shell was stiffened to improve the handling, and featured smaller 13in. (33cm) wheels. Inside, the 4-liter R had the full Vanden Plas treatment, with Connolly leather on the seats and lavish use of walnut veneer on the dashboard, door cappings and picnic tables. With a claimed 175bhp, the smooth, all-alloy, seven bearing, Rolls Royce straight six gave the 4-liter R an impressive turn of speed. It accelerated cleanly up to 100mph (160km/h), and road testers attained up to 112mph (179kmlh) flat out. With the standard Bong Warner Model 8 automatic gearbox, there was no manual option, the car would whisk up to 60mph (96km/h) in an effortless 12.7 seconds.
The pay off was a dismal 14mpg (20liters/100km) thirst, and the critics were underwhelmed by the 4-liter’s overlight power steering, which lacked feel and precision. A projected output of 100 cars a week from the Vanden Plas Kinsbury works never actually rose above 60. Even at that rate there was a big stockpile of 4-liter Rs. BMC ended the unequal struggle in 1968, with sales totaling just 6555 cars.
