VAUXHALL VICTOR RE-DESIGNED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29625, 22 September 1961, Page 9

VAUXHALL VICTOR RE-DESIGNED

A completely new Vauxhall Victor ha* been announced in England by General Motors. Slightly longer and wider, but a little lower than the old Victor, the new model will be in five different models, including an extra-performance extraluxury saloon designed to compete in the field of medium - sired “prestige” cars. The i.5-litre four-door cars share nothing visible with their predecessors, but engine, transmissions, suspension and other mechanical components are developments of units at present in service in nearly 400,000 of the oldstyle cars. Styling The styling of all models is intended to be simple and to combine the American and European trends. Thought has obviously been given to base of maintenance, and there are only four grease nipples compared with 19 in the previous model Victors. The vehicle is also claimed to provide more leg room, a tower centre of gravity and good boot space. The new Victors are also fitted with the recentlydeveloped type of windscreen with a safety zone in front of the driver which remains clear even when the rest of the screen is shattered. Most ' models have padded dash panels and the delux version also has padded sun visors. All doors are fitted with “anti-burst’’ devices and child-proof locks. Another excellent innovation is that all bright metal above the waistline is stainless steel.

Engine The four-cylinder power unit is basically the same as that of the old model, but the compression ratio has been raised from 7.8:1 to 8.1: 1. The brake horsepower has been raised from 54.8 at 4200 r.p.m. to 56.3 at 4600 r.p.m. while torque has also been increased. The use of aluminium has made a saving of weight in many parts of the new motor. The fuel tank capacity has been raised from eight gallons to 10 gallons. Transmission Two types of transmission, a three-speed and a fourspeed, will be available, although the four speed transmission will • be standard equipment on the luxury

model. This box has a floor, mounted shift lever, and has synchromesh on all forward gears. The three-speed box is practically the same as on previous Victors but the linkages have been altered to provide lighter and smoother operation. The brake system is similar to that of previous models but the hand-brake has a shorter travel. The dimensions of the new Victor, with those of the old model in parentheses, are: width, 64in (63jin) height, 55} in (66in>; length, 173}in (l<s7}in); and wheelbase lOOin (88in). The track has been increased by three-quarters of an inch at the front and by one inch at the rear. The kerb weight is up 80 to 1001 b, depending on the model.

Models The Victor Standard is the economy car of the new range, and although all mechanical features are the same as the other care in the range, brightwork and other features are kept to a minimum. The Super has extra touches of comfort and appearance both interior and exterior, and individual front seats are optional at extra cost. The Deluxe is the top saloon of the range with a wide choice of colour schemes, leather upholstery and individual front seats. A heater is standard equipment. The Estate car is almost the same as the Super with a drop-down rear seat to give a loading platform sft sin long and more than 4ft Bin wide.

The rear door of the Estate ear is full width and full depth and hinged at die top. There is 45 cu. ft of goods* carrying capacity. The fifth car in the series is not strictly a Victor although it shares the same basic shape and styling. It is to be known as the VX Four-Ninety, and details have not yet been announced. This conception of a luxury car is a new departure for Veuxhall. The Victor Super is the only model which will be available in New Zealand, and it will cost £939. The other models will be available tn holders of overseas funds.