1959 Vauxhall Victor FA 1.5 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

FA Victor. You will easily recognise it in a car park!

Faults:

Clutch servo leaks, brake cylinders leaking, some wiring issues.

General Comments:

I bought this car, having only seen photos and having had (extensive) conversations with its elderly owners. I drove the car, which had hardly been driven for over 10 years, from Geraldton (WA) to Melbourne!

No problems until Norseman, when suddenly the gears became hard to select and the brakes were also losing fluid. Three days later it was back on the road, though the brakes, especially the handbrake, were still iffy. Fortunately, the Nullarbor is mostly flat, and the traffic predictable!

These are fun to drive! The steering is so light, helped by the massive steering wheel. Simple dash, no heater, vinyl bench seats, and no seat belts. The column shift works well, and the engine is tough. But they are fairly basic. Mine was yellow and white; Pretty from a distance, but lots of surface rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2015

1960 Vauxhall Victor FA 1.5 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A great classic!

Faults:

The previous owner had hardly driven the car in 30 years, so the usual suspects caused problems (renewed clutch servo and all brakes).

Other than that, a new generator.

General Comments:

These car's were "pure Americana", according to the publications of the day. Actually, they were so British. Light steering, first-time starting motor, and a light, well-chosen, 3 speed column shift, and a biggish boot were the best things.

Mine wallowed on corners, but you got used to it. In straight line travel it was great, and you can see so much.

The seats are great, but the glove-box is deep... As for the notion that you will somehow injure yourself on the dog-leg entry; I didn't do it once.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2013

1974 Vauxhall Victor Estate 1.8 from UK and Ireland

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.

1970 Vauxhall Victor 2000 SL 2.0 Gasoline OHC from Sweden

Summary:

Good car for the money

Faults:

Valve Cover Gasket seems to disintegrate within 2 years, changed it immediately after I bought the car and have had to change it again recently.

Complete steering box failure (probably a result of previous owner misaligning and over-tightening it to the front cross-member.

General Comments:

Fairy quick and economical.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th September, 2006

13th Apr 2008, 19:20

The FD still looks good as a design today. What a pity they never went as well as they looked in original factory spec.