Registration No: VVW 970
Chassis No: L65974
MOT: Exempt

• One of some 2,100 examples manufactured
• Thought to have had just seven owners from new
• Accompanied by a large selection of invoices dating back to the 1960s
• Supplied new by Jessops of Romford
• Offered from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, left to charity, with the RNLI as the predominant beneficiary

The new Lanchester Fourteen was displayed to the press on the 9^th of October 1950, the day before the public announcement. The only familiar feature from the previous model was the fluid flywheel and pre-selective gearbox, with the newcomer including a cruciform chassis suspended by double wishbones and laminated torsion bars at the front, and conventional leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by Girling hydro/mechanical drums and steering by cam and peg. Power came from a 1968cc four-cylinder in-line overhead-valve engine allied to a four-speed pre-selector Wilson gearbox. The dash and door cappings were wood, more upmarket than the painted metal of the mechanically similar Leda saloon. In total, some 2,100 examples are thought to have been manufactured in 14 Saloon guise.

Manufactured in 1953, this 14 Saloon was supplied new by Jessops of Romford Ltd to an F. O. Taylor Esq. of Essex, who retained the Lanchester for twelve years, costing £1,197.17.9 when new. Passing to the second keeper, a Mr. Bishop of Bridport who owned ‘VVW 970’ for approximately 35 years. One subsequent UK keeper ensued, before being exported to Ireland during the year 2007. Two Irish keepers preceded the Lanchaster’s return to the United Kingdom, with one further custodian before entering the private collection of Mr. Robert Furniss Riding. Now offered from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the predominant beneficiary. Finished in Maroon paintwork with complementing Maroon leather interior upholstery and carpets, the Lanchester is now displaying a recorded mileage of 52,067 miles at the time of consignment. Running and driving, although may require some further recommissioning, the Lanchester is accompanied by a history file that contains the original purchase invoice from Jessops of Romford, a large selection of older invoices dating back to the 1960s, an original owner's handbook, factory guarantee card, previous MOTs, and V5C document.

About Robert Furniss Riding:

Born in 1940, the only child of only children parents, Bob was educated at Stockport Grammar School then read natural sciences at Christ Church, Oxford. He joined William Deacon’s Bank, and had a stellar ascent through it and its subsequent iterations ending up as Group Treasurer of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He grasped the opportunity of early retirement in 1990 and moved to the Isle of Man where he had been left a house by an aunt. But Bob was far from being inactive, throwing himself into the local community and taking on the turn around of a local private bank as its Executive Chairman.

Sailing had been a preoccupation during his time in the City, but on coming to the Isle of Man, Bob switched his energies and focus to collecting “quality cars” – principally the products of Cricklewood, Derby and Crewe, but with some maverick exceptions such as Maserati and Caterham. Daimlers and Lanchesters also featured, and he had to move to a large country house to find garaging for the ever-growing collection. His cars were regularly campaigned at rallies for the appropriate marque and were often deserved winners of various trophies. He also got involved in the relevant enthusiast clubs, usually ending up as Chairman – and his list of appointments included the Chairmanship of the Manx Classic Car Club and the Manx Motor Racing Club.

Bob was always a keen supporter of local charities, particularly maritime and those involving young people, and many will have cause to remember with gratitude his generosity and his apparently bottomless well of technical knowledge on “quality cars”, so freely shared. Bob left his Estate predominantly to Charity with the RNLI being the Residuary Beneficiary. Thus, in effect, the entire proceeds of the car collection sale will be received by the RNLI.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452