Vauxhall Victor F-Type SII DeLuxe

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Launched in 1957, Vauxhall’s Victor F-Type brought plenty of glamorous American influences to the rather austere post-war British motoring scene.

Lashings of chrome around that big front grill gave the car a very Chevrolet/Chrysler-esque flavour, while that wrap-around windscreen is very reminiscent of early Corvettes, the Victor being the first European car to use the fashionable ‘panoramic’ windscreen. Underneath it all, the car was a thoroughly modern design, incorporating independent front suspension, all synchromesh column change 3-speed gearbox and monocoque construction.

Power came from a new Vauxhall 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, which, with its single Zenith carburettor, produced 55bhp, good for a 0-60 time of 28 seconds and a top speed of 75mph. The two-tone interior featured luxuries like door-operated courtesy lights, arm rests on the doors, and bench seats front and rear, trimmed in either Rayon or Elastofab!

In 1959 a Series II model was released with slightly less fussy exterior styling and a top spec DeLuxe model was also made available with leather trim and individual front seats. A reliable and long-lasting motorcar, more than 390,000 F Series were sold between 1957 and 1961, the model becoming one of Britain’s most exported cars, with Victors taking to the roads as far afield as Canada, Australia, Ceylon and India. Even so, finding a good example anywhere in the world today is no easy task.

The fine Series II DeLuxe on offer today is one of only three still road registered in Britain today. Dating from June 1959 it has only covered some 47,000 miles, having spent some time in a private collection in Bath. The vendor states that the bodywork appears all original and is very sound although there are some minor rust bubbles in the paintwork here and there.

The leather interior is also original and nicely patinated. The car is said to be good mechanically and drives very well, being taxed until May 2015 and no longer requiring an MOT (the last ticket expired in May 2013).

A good example of a once popular Fifties saloon that is now exceedingly rare, it comes with sundry useful spares and a nice transferable number.