INVICTA BLACK PRINCE - 1948 (Sans prix de réserve)

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Estimation :
80000 - 100000 EUR
INVICTA BLACK PRINCE - 1948 (Sans prix de réserve)
Drophead Coupe Serial number: 105 Engine 2997cm; 6 cylinder dual ignition; automatic transmission Power: 120 hp. 176 km/h Aluminium bodywork by Airflow Steamline/Northampton INVICTA was founded in 1925 by Noël MACKLIN with Oliver LYLE, the billionaire owner of the world sugar trade, and the Duke of Fitzwilliam. Their goal was to create cars with high luxury, sporty and revolutionary techniques, competing with Bentley. They used the Meadows engines which will always be kept on the Invicta. They started to compete in car races, a real vector of publicity especially in the 30s. The success was there with the records established by Violette Cordery, who won the Dewar Trophy and realized the records of 5000 miles in Montlhéry in 1926 then of 30.000 miles in Brooklands. Donald Healey won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1930, but Sammy Davis' accident at Brooklands tarnished the brand's image. The first production stopped around 1935 and only resumed after the war in 1946, during which Macklin devoted himself to arming the Royal Navy, before tackling the "Black Prince" project. This project was brought to fruition by William Watson and hailed by the press in 1947 as the most advanced car in the world. It is assumed that the huge sum of £100,000 was invested in the development: As at the creation of the brand, the idea was to make the most powerful and luxurious car for an uncommon clientele with unlimited means. Mechanically the engine was a Meadows 3 L with double ignition with 12 spark plugs and 3 triple SU carburetors giving 120 hp at 176 km/h in peak. The gearbox was the first automatic gearbox "Brockhouse Hydrokinetic Turbo Torque Converter". The chassis received independent suspensions; torsion bars; hydraulic girling brakes. Supreme research: the body is supported in cross sections in the manner of aeronautical construction; 2 batteries equip the car, one for lighting and the other for starting. On the luxury side, in addition to the upholstery finishes, the seats are structurally separated and mounted on silent blocks. A starting and heating system is perfected for winter. Incredible innovations but with an enormous cost, especially in the financially unfavourable post-war period. The 4 door saloon model was presented at 3250£ with taxes and the convertible at 4000£ that is to say the price of nearly 3 Jaguar XK 120 convertible and more expensive than Bentley or Rolls. According to various sources, 16 Black Prince were built between 1947 and 1949, of which only 6 drophead coupe (cabriolet) with different finishings and 10 saloons and coupés. Invicta had to file for bankruptcy and cease its activity in 1950. An Invicta Black Prince, similar to the model shown, with running boards, compass and various special finishes, was ordered by Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, the Maharaja of Mysore (Jayachamaraja Wodeyar; 1919 /1974; was King of Mysore from 1940 to 1950, and integrated his country into the Republic of India while remaining governor of Mysore and Madras. He was a cultured man, educated in London, a great patron of Arts and Music, and a great sportsman, a horseman, a Wimbledon tennis player and a lover of sports cars like the Black Prince). The car we present was acquired in April 1948 by the billionaire H. Turner, one of the world's leading timber merchants. The King of Mysore's car remained in India and was then in 1952 the property of Maharaja Bhojirajsinhji Bhagvatsinhji /GONDAL; another model, but with a lesser finish is in Australia. Our car here is in original condition. The result of incredible technological research and too much in advance, the Invicta Black Prince, convertible, produced in 6 examples, of which 3 or 4 are known (one of which with a bad basic version was already quoted £20,000 in 1987 in Car Value Guide) is an exceptional car in the same way as a Maybach Zeppelin DS8 for example. It is a masterpiece for a high level collector, and due to its rarity a sure value on a worldwide level. A major English newspaper summarized: Fabulous idea but just too expensive. The luxurious book "The Maharajas and their magnificent cars" by GAUTAM SEN dedicates a chapter to the Black Prince. Our invicta has an excellent investment value due to its rarity and its unique technology. It could be the jewel of an already serious collection. An important documentation will be given to the buyer, with the photos of the engine rebuilding which had been carried out, various invoices and mails of INVICTA CARS, but especially the gold plans
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