KEEPERS
There was only one car on Danny’s mind when he treated himself to a classic to mark his retirement – a Vauxhall FC Victor 101. The ex-museum exhibit that he bought even found fame on the silver screen…
DANNY REYNOLDS NORTH EAST LONDON
‘I’ve always liked Vauxhall Victor 101s ever since I owned one way back in 1969 in my 20s. Upon retirement, thoughts turned to getting another for old time’s sake. The problem is that they are not as prevalent as a Cortina, Marina or Escort. However I struck lucky with this mid-range Super. My first 101 was a top-of-the-range Deluxe complete with wood and leather trim. The Super was a step down, having a bench front seat and PVC Ambla trim, but at least my current one has the then optional four-speed gearbox, whereas my previous 101 had a three-speed column gear change.
CLUBS & SPECIALISTS
Vauxhall Victor Owners’. Club. vauxhallvictorclub.co.uk
Vauxhall Green Parts, Lincolnshire. 07932 794241, vauxhallgreenparts.co.uk
451D was first registered in January 1966 and owned by a gentleman from Wolverhampton who ran it for about ten years and just 24,500 miles. He was an older chap whose eyesight was failing by 1976 so his son-in-law took over ownership. The car then resided in Staffordshire until 2009. This particular gentleman was a motor engineer and it appears that he looked after the Victor very well indeed, keeping a detailed log of everything that was done to the car over the decades, which I have continued to keep up.
‘The car’s mechanical condition is important to me; I’m not especially mechanically minded so I needed a classic that was in good sound order, although I have been able to tackle problems that have arisen because they have been pretty minor and Victors are very simple. My wife and I have toured Norfolk and the Cotswolds since buying the car and experienced no problems.
‘However, Vauxhalls of this era had a bad reputation for rusting and this one was no exception. The handwritten log says that it was in need of major attention by the mid-1980s, requiring new sills and wings. Luckily a member of the Vauxhall Victor Owners’ Club did the required remedial work for me after which it was completely re-sprayed.
‘Stondon museum in Henlow, Bedfordshire, either bought or was presented with the car in 2009 but it sadly closed in 2016 and I subsequently bought it via a Brightwells auction, complete with all of the past MoT certificates, paperwork and original logbook. ‘It’s quite famous, too, because it was the subject of an article in a classic car magazine in the 1990s. Photos were taken for the article at the Silverstone race circuit of which I have one photo but no further information. Can anyone help me here? It also appeared in the ITV programme In Suspicious Circumstances in 1991 featuring the late actor Edward Woodward.
