1961 Vauxhall Victor FA S2
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Highlights
• Rare model in great condition
• Well cared for car with many new mechanical parts
• Repainted recently
• Valued at £9,000 by Hagerty's
• Valued at £9,000 by Hagerty's
The Background
One of Vauxhall’s first monocoque shell cars, the Victor FA (known just as the ‘F’ until the squarer FB came along) and it’s Mid Atlantic styling drew heavily on American GM cars, in particular the ’55 Chevy Bel Air.
Launched in 1957, some of the styling was toned down for the Series 2 in 1959, such as the exhaust through the bumper as it tarnished the chrome and caused rust. With a spacious interior and generous boot it was a popular family car, but rust finished off many in the early years, so survivors tend to be good ones.
Launched in 1957, some of the styling was toned down for the Series 2 in 1959, such as the exhaust through the bumper as it tarnished the chrome and caused rust. With a spacious interior and generous boot it was a popular family car, but rust finished off many in the early years, so survivors tend to be good ones.
The History
This Victor has had care lavished on it over the last couple of years. The current owner has only had it around 2 years, but both he and the previous owner have taken great care of it.
There are new outer sills in the body and the whole car has been painted in original style cellulose and new door rubbers fitted, and inside there are new carpets, much of the brake system has been renewed. Under the bonnet service items and more have been taken care of.
The owner is selling only due to other projects taking his time and attention so this has seen very little use.
There are new outer sills in the body and the whole car has been painted in original style cellulose and new door rubbers fitted, and inside there are new carpets, much of the brake system has been renewed. Under the bonnet service items and more have been taken care of.
The owner is selling only due to other projects taking his time and attention so this has seen very little use.
The Paperwork
Much of the work to restore this car was with the previous owner but is known about by the current keeper. We have receipts for recent work including new carpets, repair of the heater matrix and levers, a new 4 year warranty battery, coolant flush and new tyres all round 18 months ago.
Included with the car are a selection of service and training manuals and an original brochure.
Included with the car are a selection of service and training manuals and an original brochure.
The Interior
With its roomy and comfortable bench seats, theres easily room for 6 inside the Victor. The vinyl seat covering is in excellent shape, and the matching door cards are excellent. Under foot, there is new carpet all round, its almost new and looks it.
The body coloured dash looks perfect, with just simple controls and instruments, the few knobs there are presented on textured metal panels either side of the steering wheel. Modern hazard warning lights have been added for safety and convenience, and the heater matrix and control levers have been rebuilt.
On the left of the wheel is the column shift gear lever, its a three speed manual and very easy to shift through the gears. The headlining is original and in good shape, a few age related marks on the sun visors and speakers have been added to the C post trim.
In the boot the floor of the big load space is totally solid and the spare tyre new, although the original boot mat is missing so has been replaced with carpet.
The body coloured dash looks perfect, with just simple controls and instruments, the few knobs there are presented on textured metal panels either side of the steering wheel. Modern hazard warning lights have been added for safety and convenience, and the heater matrix and control levers have been rebuilt.
On the left of the wheel is the column shift gear lever, its a three speed manual and very easy to shift through the gears. The headlining is original and in good shape, a few age related marks on the sun visors and speakers have been added to the C post trim.
In the boot the floor of the big load space is totally solid and the spare tyre new, although the original boot mat is missing so has been replaced with carpet.
The Exterior
The exterior is pure 1950s exuberance, big chrome bumpers, wrap around windscreen and fins at the back. Having been painted recently the two tone paint is in lovely condition, being a Super it would have been al green from new with two tone as an option. The chrome is generally more than presentable. New door rubbers were also fitted at the time.
The front bumper is very good, although the grill and door handles have some pitting and the rear bumper ends have discoloured and faded.
The glass is like new, bright and clear and the stainless stripes and name badges are all excellent, it has new halogen headlamps installed for safer night driving.
It is rolling on a matching set of Dunlop tyres, new in December 2019 and barely used, and the wheels have been refurbished and new hubcaps fitted.
The front bumper is very good, although the grill and door handles have some pitting and the rear bumper ends have discoloured and faded.
The glass is like new, bright and clear and the stainless stripes and name badges are all excellent, it has new halogen headlamps installed for safer night driving.
It is rolling on a matching set of Dunlop tyres, new in December 2019 and barely used, and the wheels have been refurbished and new hubcaps fitted.
Mechanics
The car has had many jobs taken care of to keep it in tip top shape. Before the car changed hands it had new front brake wheel cylinders and shoes, rear brake shoes, brake flexy hoses and new wheel bearings. In the last 2 years it has also had the brake and clutch master cylinders rebuilt, new copper brake pipes, new windscreen water bag and pump and in the engine, new water pump, hoses and thermostat, new battery and a full service including plugs, leads, points, condenser and coil.
Underneath the car appears very solid and has a new rear silencer, while the middle box has been repaired.
The owner reports that it usually starts first time and whilst on the photo shoot it proved to be reliable and easy to drive.
Underneath the car appears very solid and has a new rear silencer, while the middle box has been repaired.
The owner reports that it usually starts first time and whilst on the photo shoot it proved to be reliable and easy to drive.
The appeal
The fifties look is something that no other era can quite match - the excitement of the jet and rocket ages and strong American influence translated to car design and brought styles and features that were gone even in the next versions of cars.
These FA Victors were known to rust when new but having survived this long and had so much care lavished, this is one of the rare survivors and thanks to the new paint, carpet and many other new parts looks and drives exactly as these cars should.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1961
- Make Vauxhall
- Model Victor
- Colour Green & Black
- Odometer 7,413 Miles
- Engine size 1508
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Oxfordshire
- Country United Kingdom
9
bids
from 2
bidders
- Ma•••• £8,800 04/08/21
- ce•••• £8,700 04/08/21
- Ma•••• £8,600 28/07/21
- ce•••• £8,500 28/07/21
- Ma•••• £8,400 28/07/21
- ce•••• £8,300 28/07/21
- Ma•••• £8,200 28/07/21
- ce•••• £8,100 28/07/21
- ce•••• £8,000 28/07/21
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