1974 Vauxhall Victor Estate 1.8

Summary:

Best car I ever had; I want another

Faults:

I loved this car and it never let me down. I looked after it, and would still have it, had a car not ran over the top of it.

Weak points was the top void bushes on rear axle, but that was a 70's problem. Fitted solid Cortina ones and it never came back again.

General Comments:

For a big car, it handled very well. Best mod I ever made was Spax shock absorbers. It handled like a dream after them. Dropped in a VX490 2300 engine and it could rocket then. Not a problem for the brakes, as they were fantastic; my modern ABS car can't stop as well as my old Victor could. It stood on it nose and hardly ever locked up a wheel, but it did need up rated pads to stop the brake fade; if you really toasted the car, you could get the back brakes to collapse inside the drum, as they went soft as they got red hot.

Loved the huge seats; you could just laze about in them. In the estate model you can move the front seats forward, and they could fold backwards to edge of rear seat. Like a big built in bed.

I now have a VX2300GLS in my garage. Oh how I wish they made the shells as it's a bit rusty. Would love to have another to drive about again.

So if anyone has a good shell, please find me and let me buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th August, 2007

15th Aug 2007, 19:13

Hi!

Try eBay or one of the Victor Owners' Clubs as the odd car does come up every now and then - past salvation owing to mechanical issues, but with a reasonably good shell.

I do agree with your comments on the FE series Victor, though. Very under-rated cars that never sold in great numbers and not too many left around now.

1973 Vauxhall Victor Transcontinental ES 1.8

Summary:

A 70's Cruiser

Faults:

My Father had a Victor FE, bought new in August 1973 - Just in time for the new M reg! The car was a special edition "Transcontinental ES" model and replaced an old mark 2 Cortina.

The Transcontinental ES package added a vinyl roof, cloth seats (unusual in 73), head restraints and, wait for it - Hazard warning flashers!

The car was surprisingly roomy and comfortable, providing Granada sized accommodation for the price of a mid range Cortina. However, a wallowy ride spoiled things and regularly induced sickness in rear seat passengers.

For a 1.8 the car was slow! The engine was strangled by poor breathing and gave only about 70 bhp. In a big car like the Victor it had its work cut out and it drank fuel as a result. The fuel crisis hit just as Dad took delivery and it cost him a fortune to run it!

For a mid 70's car I suppose it was reasonably reliable, but by the time he sold it in October 1979 rust had taken hold in the sills and front wings and those cloth seats were thread bare. Imagine writing that about a 6 year old car today!

General Comments:

A car of its time.

A Triumph of style over substance!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th February, 2006

30th Jul 2006, 19:47

I agree - they weren't built to last. My dad owned a '73 vx490, a lovely pokey car, but it was falling to bits by the time it was only 8 years old.

10th Jan 2007, 17:55

Actually, the FE series Victor and its derivatives (VX4/90, Ventora) was no more or less succeptible to rust than its mass market rivals.

How many Consul/Granadas, BLMC 1800/2200/Princesses, Hunter/Sceptres, Chrysler 160/180/2Ls, Fiat 132s, Renault 16s, Peugeot 504s and such do you still see these days?

Considering that the FE sold in far fewer numbers than most of its rivals (it was a marketing failure), the proportion that survive today bear testimony to just how well they have lasted.

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1968 Vauxhall Victor 2000 2.0

Summary:

Remember the original Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Handles nice, rides nice, drives nice, is nice.

Overdrive box is well worth having, cruises nice at illegal motorway speeds and still gives 30 mpg.

Styling is love-or-hate. I loved it.

Wish I hadn't sold it now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 2001

1967 Vauxhall Victor 101 Super Estate 1.6

Faults:

Clutch worn, nothing else (touch wood).

General Comments:

Great classic car, keeps up with modern traffic & the number of poeple who talk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 1999

1961 Vauxhall Victor Super 1.5 litre

Faults:

1. I borrowed a hose clamp from it for my other car, forgot to replace it. Hose popped off and wetted the ignition.

2. Clutch master required new seals.

NOTHING ELSE - EVER.

General Comments:

Lots of fun being passed by every other car on the road, (including little old ladies). The car is low miles from new.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 1998

18th Apr 2004, 20:32

Hey, remember when Pontiac imported the Vauxhall Victor? My parents bought a 1959 model for $2100. I was 16 years old and loved that car! Sure... it had the slam-it-again front doors, and top speed wasn't in keeping up with the American muscle cars, but it got me around. Look at all the gas you could save. No fuel emission controls either. We could even sneak 3 teenagers into the drive-in movies: Two in the trunk and one under the right dashboard curled up tight with a jacket covering them. Seatbelts?...what seat belts?