MEET THE OWNER – CHARLIE SMITH AND HIS AUSTIN MONTEGO VANDEN PLAS

“I think the Montego is gaining lots of respect as a classic car. My Vanden Plas gets so much interest when we take it to classic car shows and we get many questions about her!” And rightly so, as Charlie Smith’s 1985 example is a very special machine. In his words:

It is an Austin Montego Vanden Plas - the pre-fuel injection version. According to multiple databases, it is the only one on the road in the country of that year and specification and has covered just over 38,000 miles from new. She has every MOT from new and has a full service history and multiple bits of paperwork with her. We had to fit MGF alloy wheels to it, which have been powder coated with custom centre caps because we couldn't get any tyres for the original metric wheels. It is in very good condition and has been very well looked after – and is possibly the rarest Montego ever.

When Austin-Rover unveiled Project LM11 in April 1984 as the Montego, there was vast press and public interest in one of their most important models. This was the vehicle they hoped would conquer the fleet markets, replacing the Morris Ital and, at the upper end of the market, the Austin Ambassador. “Driving is Believing”, claimed Austin-Rover.

The 2.0-litre Vanden Plas had to appeal to both former Ambassador VDP owners and create conquest sales from Ford Sierra Ghia drivers. The flagship Montego boasted “coachbuilding excellence as part of its heritage” as well as power-assisted steering, electric front windows, central locking, a tilt/slide sunroof, and a remote-control fuel filler cap.

The Montego Vanden Plas cost £8,245, which meant it was cheaper than the Sierra 2.0 Ghia at £8,796. You can imagine a car such as Charlie’s parked in the driveway of a mid-1980s executive house, with the latest Sony video recorder in the living room. Plus, an onyx bathroom suite upstairs. Naturally, the Montego VDP’s list of equipment included a three-band electronic radio/stereo cassette player for listening to Dire Straits while en route to your next business meeting.

Charlie’s Vanden Plas is also a reminder of the hopes that Austin-Rover invested in the Montego – it would not be an exaggeration to say that livelihoods and even factories would depend on its success. In 1984, a VDP resplendent in its metallic paint finish was a revelation after 13 years of the familiar Morris Marina/Ital bodyshell.

For too long, the Montego was the subject of frankly ignorant criticism, but fortunately, it now attracts a new generation of classic enthusiasts. As Charlie puts it:

I feel very privileged to own this car at 19 years old, I purchased it from my dad when I was 17, and it has been in the family for the last 15 years. The Vanden Plas is like driving a luxury car - so smooth and comfortable in the spongy cloth seats. It always receives looks whilst driving out and about, and people go absolutely crazy for it at car shows and are always wondering how one is still on the road in such good condition!

But with the Montego that was, to quote the launch brochure, “a car of special status”, you would not expect anything less.

With Thanks To: Charlie Smith