Popular Post Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 12, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted September 12, 2021 The time old question of what do you do when you've got several projects.. get another. Preferably bought unseen from a marque and model you are almost totally unaware of, bonus points for being off the road for nearly 30 years and almost no parts availability. Ladies and Gentleshites I give you the 1971 Vauxhall VX4/90. I'd bookmarked it on evilbay and the GF saw it a day later when I was prattling on about looking for something interesting (and a few days before getting the Mustang). And she was smitten with it. The seller was sadly letting jt go due to I'll health and hand been working on it for the last 8 years. The story (unverified) was it was a Vauxhall pool car in Luton for a while, then purchased by a mechanic ther for his sister and spent most if its life garaged and little used. Hence allegedly only having 3909 on the clock (the last mot from 92 reads 3500 or so). Its remarkably original and untouched about with. Rust as it is is confined to the door bottoms on the LHS as well as some on the front wing and lower rear behind the arch. There are some dents and dings and some bubbling but it all seems pretty decent and shines up well. He had refurbished or replaced a ton of parts from brakes to cam belt and returned a fair amount. The interior is all there and pretty decent (50 years of age yadday) It came with 4 good doors and 2 NOS front wings and rhe boot was full kf parts (steering rack, rad, lights, brake pistons, mirrors oodles) It runs tho the carbs are well out, one seems to be running super rich and the other incredibly lean. Plenty of rasps and parts. And the brakes need attention as they barely work, its had ne cylinders on the back and new calipers on the front tho the it looks like a pair of lefts as this is the RHS one.. Here arriving care of Ceri, top man. (Even if he brought the rain with him) Overall well chuffed as is the GF.. she even found stuff about it on the internet. The plan is to get the brakes bked and the carbs turned and give it a good shakedown. All the electrics work, the seller had new tyres fitted, it's all really solid underneath front the limited driving it in and out if the garage show clutch is good and it fires up easily with good oil pressure tho the tracking is out and the sterring wheel near up sideown! The only bits missing are some of the "Vaxhall" letters off the boot (err most of them) and the interior light fittings (ones ther but it's about an inche too long) JMotor, danthecapriman, BlankFrank and 61 others 62 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Wow, that looks superb! Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyarddog Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Now that's a proper car! Well bought. Probably one of the best looking cars of its era. Low Horatio gearbox, Joey spud and 5speedracer 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Good lord. The Mustang and now this gorgeous old GM girl. See that large, beige Autoshite throne over there? The one which has recently been vacated? Step up, sit down, and get measured up for the crown! Datsuncog, Low Horatio gearbox and eddyramrod 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Oh. My. Fucking. God. That is absolutely brilliant! I love these old Vauxhall’s, despite being a Ford fanboi, the styling on them is absolutely fantastic imho, like miniature Yanks! You’ve got superb taste in cars!👍 Low Horatio gearbox, Shite Ron, eddyramrod and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Wanted one for years now. Always been a GM fanboi despite owning an old ford Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mally Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 1 hour ago, danthecapriman said: Oh. My. Fucking. God. That’s is absolutely brilliant! I love these old Vauxhall’s, despite being a Ford fanboi, the styling on them is absolutely fantastic imho, like miniature Yanks! You’ve got superb taste in girlfriends. Twiggy, wuvvum, danthecapriman and 4 others 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Very nice, makes me miss mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Fantastic. Late father in law had one. My uncle also - my dad said it was lovely metallic red ( garnet starmist?). His wife said it was lovely until they drove through water and she got her feet wet. Yep rot killed most of these. I always thought the styling cried out for a modest V8 under the bonnet. Low Horatio gearbox and ProgRocker 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviemck2006 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 I remember my dad having one brand new back in the day, it was also k reg. I thought it was a sad day when he traded it in at 3 years old for a victor fe 1800.Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 32 minutes ago, Bren said: I always thought the styling cried out for a modest V8 under the bonnet. Rover V8 with automatic gearbox was well suited to mine. Lazy cruiser. Low Horatio gearbox and eddyramrod 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Mally said: Oh. My. Fucking. God. That’s is absolutely brilliant! I love these old Vauxhall’s, despite being a Ford fanboi, the styling on them is absolutely fantastic imho, like miniature Yanks! You’ve got superb taste in girlfriends We have a winner... she is very enthusiastic. I mean when they are telling you how many are left on the road and what colours were available. My son was "it's like a mini Dodge Charger" yes.. but you can park it cos it's not 18 feet long. Ta for the comments. Have some awful quality pictures. Dangling light fitting about an inch too wide. Front passneger door. The worst for rust. Missing letters . (I've the chrome strip and chrome "c" that gies round the lights. Boot full of bits. The worst rot - a small hole thru to the boot, probably be a bit worse than it looks but not horrendous, but needs repairing. BertiePuntoCabrio, Asimo, Joey spud and 19 others 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 That is amazing! Only thing is if I owned a car with that low a mileage I'd be reluctant to use it... Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket88 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Bren said: Fantastic. Late father in law had one. My uncle also - my dad said it was lovely metallic red ( garnet starmist?). His wife said it was lovely until they drove through water and she got her feet wet. Yep rot killed most of these. I always thought the styling cried out for a modest V8 under the bonnet. That’s what they were originally designed to have…. Slant 4 is effectively half of the intended V8 rainagain, eddyramrod and Low Horatio gearbox 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 15 minutes ago, Low Horatio gearbox said: My son was "it's like a mini Dodge Charger" yes.. but you can park it cos it's not 18 feet long. Baby '66 Chevrolet Impala. The FD and that were both penned by the same guy, that and the Viscount. You can see the family semblance Low Horatio gearbox, danthecapriman, eddyramrod and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMotor Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Jeans grow tight at the sight of this. Well purchased, you lucky sum of a biscuit! Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 15 minutes ago, PhilA said: Baby '66 Chevrolet Impala. The FD and that were both penned by the same guy, that and the Viscount. You can see the family semblance In the grille and lights yes - I'd have made the connection..... eventually. A massive shame they didn't continue with the extended engine range. The bay is big enough to take most things. But... I'm not in for butchering it about it survived 50 odd years almost original and intact, I'm pretty sure its wearing it's original " Sienna Starmist" metallic paint. Amishtat, Shite Ron, PhilA and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 6 minutes ago, Low Horatio gearbox said: A massive shame they dint continuye with the extended engine range. The bay is big enough to take most things OPEC saw to that, sadly. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 4 minutes ago, PhilA said: OPEC saw to that, sadly. That and harmonising with GM Europe. Go progress. 🤷♂️ PhilA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 The want is strong with this one. Always loved a vx4/90. Very jealous. Hope you get many miles of enjoyment out of it! Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 22 minutes ago, sutty2006 said: The want is strong with this one. Always loved a vx4/90. Very jealous. Hope you get many miles of enjoyment out of it! Ha.. seeing your Manta coming along in no way influenced me. Its suppose to be for a year like the mustang but... eeehhhhh 🤷♂️🤔 Bleed the brakes again.. more thoroughly this time. The pedal is better but Mr Kipling has nothing on the sponge here! The upside down nippe/callioer and the somewhat circuitous rear brake line routing (up out of the MC.. down back towards the bulkhead then up and along the firewall.. down and all the way back.. to the RH drum.. then across to the LH drum.) Looking at vaccum kits now. Get the carbs sorted . The rest is almost all there. The previous owner had done...... deep breath.. Engine flush, new oil , and filter Carburettors cleaned and rebuilt Distributor professionally rebuilt by Power Spark Ignition Ltd, who also supplied Silicon HT leads and high energy ignition coil New radiator, new hoses and new thermostat New Cambelt, new fan belt New fuel pump and fuel pipe to tank replaced, fuel tank removed and cleaned Exchange steering rack, N/S and O/S track rod ends New O/S and N/S front brake calipers (Brakes International) O/S and N/S brake pipes and rubber Flexi hoses New handbrake cable O/S and N/S rear brake adjusters O/S and N/S rear brake cylinders, brake pipe and Flexi hose 4 new headlamp units with halogen bulbs New Lucas 18 ACR (38amp) alternator 5 new 185/70-13 tyres (which includes the spare) fitted for sale of car. Slight wear on water pump but is working and no water leaks Coprolalia, Shite Ron, eddyramrod and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 I’d like a lot, to see this when it’s on the road, so I can fill that “void”. The manta has taken a back burner at the moment due to other things, but if I was to replace a manta I’d love a vx4/90. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 check out "Uncle Richard" for stromberg carbs Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 My word that is tasty. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Very rare to see a VX4/90 that hasn't been stripped out and turned into a quarter-mile drag racer Low Horatio gearbox and JeeExEll 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETCHY Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 The FD Victor was a bloody cool looking car, the VX4/90 trim level just made it even cooler (god those wheels look brill). Great shape & the interior is great too, black vinyl rocks. Really like those, not seen one on the road in forever. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 That is gorgeous. Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyland Worldmaster Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Bang on. That's all! 👍😎 Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Serious envy! Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 5 hours ago, Low Horatio gearbox said: But... I'm not in for butchering it about it survived 50 odd years almost original and intact, I'm pretty sure its wearing it's original " Sienna Starmist" metallic paint. This, many percents. If you're tempted otherwise, counselling is available. DO NOT PAINT, etc etc eddyramrod, Isopon and Low Horatio gearbox 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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