BREATHTAKING 1975 VAUXHALL VICTOR 2300S LIMITED EDITION JUST 3,000 MILE FROM NEW

PRESENTING

 

A once in a life time opportunity to acquire the lowest mileage best original condition 1975 Vauxhall Victor FE 2300S (very. very rare limited edition of just 500) available anywhere - worldwide.

 

Just 3. 00 (three thousand Two hundred) genuine miles and two owners from new.

 

 With the exception of an 8 track player totally standard specification with no factory or other dealer fitted extras - not even an underseal.

 

Used by its first owner very infrequently and only for very special occasions. Never used in the wet and always garaged when not in use.

 

last used by the first owner in 1996.

 

Acquired by its second owner from the widow of the first in 2007 and. apart from being taken for an MOT at that time. dry stored since.

 

  

Consequently now remarkably rust free.

 

Retaining all of its original fitted panels & glass and the overwhelming majority of its factory applied paint finish.

 

We are pleased to be able to offer yet another extraordinary low mileage seventies classic that retains all its originality is absolutely exceptional and presented in show winning condition.

 

VERY RARE CAR WITH A WOW FACTOR THAT IS OFF THE SCALE!

 

 

On the 28 February 1957 Vauxhall Motors launched the Victor ‘F' series as a replacement for the out dated Wyvern.

 

The model was updated in 1961 with the cleaner styled FB followed in 1964 by the FC and in 67 by the penultimate Victor the FD.

 

In March 1972 the final model of victor was  launched The Vauxhall victor FE.

 

Magazine and newspaper advertisements at the time used the marketing slogan. "NEW VICTOR - The Transcontinental's".

 

The car appeared substantially larger than its predecessor with higher cabin and improved packaging enabling the manufacturer to boast of 1. 5 inches more leg room in the front and no less than 4 inches of extra leg room in the back. with virtually no loss of boot capacity. Useful increases in headroom and shoulder-level cabin width were also achieved through the use of differently shaped side panels and windows.

 

The Victor FE was the last 'real' stand alone Vauxhall model before the heavy influence of. also GM owned. Opel was fully brought to bear.

 

The range started with the 1800 and that engine was chosen for the for the first. of three. special or limited editions which appeared in February 1973 - the Vauxhall Transcontinental ES. 1500 were built a few with automatic transmission where the 1800 engine was substituted with the far superior 2300 engine.

 

The second limited edition followed later in 1973 this time a version of the Ventura.

 

The final limited edition of the FE. span >  the 2300S. was launched at the London Motor Show in October 1974. Although based around the standard Victor 2300 the 2300S was actually marketed by Vauxhall as a separate model altogether and not a single Victor badge was to be found anywhere on the car.

 

Offered in colours unique to the 'S'. Light blue metallic or Bright green. with twin coach-lines. black wheels with chrome trim rings and hub caps. chrome wheel arch mouldings. passenger and driver's door mirrors. heated rear window. Ventora style seating with fabric seat facings. a vinyl roof. The 2300 S was the first Vauxhall to come as standard with a radio cassette.

 

The car was one of the best looking of the FE models up to this time and was sold out fairly quickly.  

 

An extract from the 2300S press advert of the time says it all really: -

 

“The Vauxhall 2300S. a limited edition model. represents the best value in luxury motoring today. Compare it to the equivalent Rovers. Triumphs. Fords and Audi's of this world and you will see what we mean. None of them can come near it for the money". It goes on to say "It's a car that's going to be prized by a select band of motorists. Those who refuse to compromise their standards but have a nose for a fine investment. The Vauxhall 2300S. A truly remarkable car" - well quite. we could not have put it better ourselves!

 

Just 500 of these 2300S's were made and today only a handful survive.

 

The best know of these survivors and believed up until now to be the premier remaining example in existence is an original car that has covered thirteen thousand miles. When this car was discovered some years back it was acquired by the manufacturers themselves for their own. rarely open to the public. Vauxhall Heritage Collection. The collection. located behind Griffin House at Vauxhalls' UK HQ in Luton. is home to some of the best remaining classic Vauxhalls and it is highly unlikely that any of them will ever be disposed of.

 

We are sure that some years back when Vauxhall acquired that 13. 00 mile car for their private collection they would have believed that they had secured the lowest mileage best original condition 2300S in existence.

 

. actually. on the occasion. it would seem that they were wrong!

 

 

NLS 192P

 

The first owner of NLS 192P had had private use of a company van for  many years. For that reason that he had never really bothered with a car.

 

Whereas this was fine for most outings and social events his wife was not at all happy to be seen in 'the van' at more prestigious gatherings such as weddings.

For years she had pleaded with her husband to get a decent. in fact brand new. car for these occasions. The husband. who secretly agreed anyway.  finally conceded to his wife's not unreasonable request. Provided that the new car would only be used in special circumstances and no others and - more to the point perhaps - so long as he could get a good deal!

 

The first owner had much admired the Vauxhall Victor and had always quite fancied one. In late summer 1975 he visited his local Vauxhall Bedford main dealer Haston of Falkirk to see just what deal they could do for him.

 

In their showrooms almost a year since the launch was one of the very last if not the last 2300S's ever to be registered. This car had almost certainly only still been available as a result of a cancelled order. As such Haston's would have been somewhat keen to sell it. They would have also known that the end of the Victor FE was in sight and that a rebranding to the VX range was about to happen for the final cars - another good reason to do a deal!.

 

The first owner of NLS 192P was delighted with his find. The wife was happy with the comforts that the limited edition 2300S had and he was very happy with the deal he would have struck.

 

On the first of September 1975 the proud new owner collected his first ever new car.

 

He had not ordered any factory or dealer extras. not even an underseal (a godsend 40 years on if concours is to be your thing) but he had as part of the deal got Haston to agree to swapping the new fangled. fancy pants cassette player. for which he had no cassettes for an 8 track player with radio for which he had twenty four 8 track tapes. These tapes are still with the car today and whereas they may not all be to everyone's taste they do range from 1966 Jim Reeves to 1975 Rod Stewart!

 

As we have said it was never the intention of the first owner to use the car other that for those very special occasions - it had been a condition of him buying it and one that he rigidly stuck to.

 

During its time with its first owner (30 odd years) NLS 192P was rarely taken out of his garage. where it spent its time under covers.  

 

The second owner. who knew the first. and lived a few miles apart in the same town recalls how the first owner would never even intentionally take his beloved 2300S out if there was the remotest possibility of rain let alone if it actually was raining. Today the condition of the still factory fresh paint finish under the wheel arches bears this out.

 

During the second half of the seventies and into the eighties NLS 192P continued to spend the majority of its time in the garage rather than on the road. By the early nineties as the first owner aged use of the 2300S had all but stopped. It was last taxed for road use in 1996.

 

Following the death of the first owner his widow could just not bear to part with her husband's pride and joy and left the car covered over in the garage. Now ageing herself and with the prospect of having to move to a new home with no garage she approached the second owner who had know her husband and shown interest in the car for many years.

 

In the summer of 2006 it was agreed that the second owner should buy NLS 192P - but there were conditions. The widow of the first owner sought promises that the Vauxhall would be cared for and cherished in the same way that it had been from new by her husband. that it would continue to be used infrequently only for the same type of use. that it should always be garaged and never be taken out in the rain. The second owner pledged that all this would be so - and indeed it was.

 

In fact care of NLS 192P by its second owner was actually to an even higher standard than the first owners widow had demanded.

 

NLS 192P was re-commissioned. The brakes were overhauled and five new tyres fitted it was then submitted for an MOT on the 9th September 2006 which it passed with just an advisory note of slight judder from just one front brake. The mileage was 3. 53.

 

The car was driven the 2. 1 miles back from the MOT test centre parked up in the garage attached to the second owners house covered with dust sheets and has not been used on the road since.

 

Today the genuine mileage on this rare limited edition Vauxhall 2300S that was built nearly forty years ago is just 3. 56. On the whole its condition remains as it was almost 4 decades ago.

BODYWORK

 

Finished in Light Blue metallic. the best of the two special colours that the 2300S was offered in. the paint finish retains a fantastic lustre. Set off by the standard and virtually unmarked black vinyl roof NLS 192P looks truly resplendent.

 

Of course the car retains all of its factory fitted panels.

 

When we acquired the car it retained all of its factory applied paint finish and by and large it still does. However we have had our body shop attend to a couple of light scrapes to the front and rear valances. the lower lip of the boot lid and one or other tiny blemishes.

 

Overall NLS 192P is remarkably rust free. Under very close scrutiny you can just detect the start of a little very minor surface only oxidisation in a couple of small areas from minor chips etc and where the factory paint was thinner in its application.

 

There are a couple of minute stone chips and the odd minuscule surface scratch and tiny dimple dent caused during storage.

 

Door. boot and bonnet shuts are excellent.

 

Original  hills number plates.

 

The underside is superb of course no welding has ever been carried out and none is. or should ever be if correctly kept. required.

 

As the car has never been undersealed the underside is still in factory paint finish so you can see just exactly how original. and exceptional it is. If you wanted to take the car to Concours standard the lack of underseal is. of course. a Godsend!

 

The correct black painted wheels that are in excellent condition.

 

Original bright rim embellishers. These do show a little rust however and you will no doubt want to have them re-chromed or replaced.

 

Even items so often requiring replacement like the window and windscreen rubbers have not deteriorated.

 

Original factory fitted double coach line and S motif on the boot remain.

 

The bright work is in excellent 40 year old condition with just some minor pitting in a couple of places. The rear bumper has taken a light bump and consequently is misshapen and the chrome plated a little cracked slightly.

 

Overall the original body and paint finish maintains a fantastic lustre and looks stunning.

 

INTERIOR

 

The interior is again excellent. /span>

 

The Viking blue nylon seat facings. so often faded worn and saggy. are rip. stain and wear free and the material remains taut. Looking more as though they are 4 months. rather than 4 decades. old.

 

The original blue carpets have not worn or lost their tufting. very slightly faded in places but superb for their age. The heel mat shows no sign of wear.

 

The dash board top is unmarked as is the faux wood facings. It has never been cut or modified in any way.

 

Of particular note are the original steering wheel. no marks or chips from rings etc and is as new. The same goes for the gear knob.

 

The original pedal rubbers show no wear at all.

 

It is a truly lovely place to be and you will not find better on a Victor of this age.

 

The rear seats look as though they may have never even been used.  

 

The perforated headlining and sun visors are unmarked.

 

Door cards have never been cut and have no damage or wear.

 

Working 8 track with Radio.

 

NLS 192P has covered just 3. 56 miles from new but is almost 40 years old. in here though it is easy to believe that you are in a car not much more than a few months old.

 

UNDER THE BONNET

 

Exceptionally clean with original stickers.

 

There had been spill from the battery on to the tray which had splashed on to the inner wing. Not an issue but did spoil the overall excellent look so while the valances were being done we had our body shop correct it.

 

A couple of touch in's with a brush

 

IN THE BOOT

 

The condition of a cars boot is often overlooked but to us it gives a good indicator of just how that car has been use and cared for.

 

The boot of NLS 192P is exemplary in every way.

 

The spare wheel has never been used and has a new tyre to match the rest.

 

The spare wheel well. floor. inner wings and wheel arches are unmarked with not even the slightest hint of rust.

 

Even the striker for the lid gleams and the sound deadening foam has not deteriorated with age.

 

The jack has not been used nor has the wheel brace which remains in its correct plastic sleeve.

 

We would wager that it has hardly ever. if ever. been used.

 

ON THE ROAD

 

NLS 192P has been be re-commissioned for use and MOT'ed with no advisory notes on 14th Jan 2015 by our mechanic-Lee.

 

He has replaced the alternator and had the starter motor reconditioned.

 

Replaced the HT leads and stripped the rear brakes.

 

He has changed the Oil and Filter (with genuine) checked all the levels and set the timing and adjusted the running.

 

He now reports that the engine runs like a dream and goes like a rocket.

 

The car starts on the button with manual choke.

 

There are no untoward noises.

 

The gears change up and down as they should.

 

This will be as close as you could ever hope to get to driving a new Victor FE.

 

New battery.

 

Everything feels tight and it is immediately apparent that this is an exceptionally low mileage well cared for car.

 

NLS 192P is an absolute joy to drive – just delightful!

 

 

HISTORY FILE

 

Of course in an ideal world every car that we offer would have a huge history file and by and large most of the time with the cars that we offer that is the case.

 

However we have offered quite a few ultra low mileage. one owner cars that have been in long term storage in the past. Without exception they do not have large History files as – well - as they have never really been on the road so in truth have had nothing much done to them.

 

When the widow of the first owner finally came to dispose of her husband's beloved Vauxhall she had still not had the courage to sort through all of his effects and papers. The second owner. who as we say had know the car and thle first owner for years. out of respect did not push her.

 

NLS 192P. beyond any reasonable doubt. is exactly as it appears but supporting history. for the best of genuine reasons. is lacking. However the wife of the second owner has unconditionally confirmed to us in writing. copy in the file. the history of the car and that 3. 53 is the accurate and total mileage covered.

 

Here's what is in the file though.

 

1.    V5C registration document showing 1 previous keeper and the current keeper since July 2006

2.    MOT January 13 2015

3.    Letter from the second owners wife confirming the history and warranting that the mileage is correct and total.

4.    VOSA MOT printout confirming the 2006 MOT was the last and the mileage then was 3. 53.

5.    2006 MOT

6.    Print out of 2300S press ad from 1974.

 

SUMMARY

 

It is a safe bet that you will never again get an opportunity to own such an original. extraordinarily low mileage Victor FE - let alone the limited edition 2300S.

 

NLS 192P is more than just an exceptional 1975 Victor FE - it is the "Holy Grail" of such examples a 2300S. It has unmistakably been cherished. cared for and loved by its fist elderly owner and its subsequent owner. It has covered just 3. 00 miles from new and been used very infrequently during its forty year life.

 

It's a bold claim "the lowest mileage best original condition Vauxhall 2300S available anywhere - worldwide" which includes the one that was until now believed to be the lowest mileage example in Vauxhalls own heritage centre. It is not a claim that we make light heartedly. but one that we genuinely believe to be correct.

 

It would take very little for NLS 192P to become a concours contender.

 

This very. very rare and possibly the last registered limited edition will be of great interest to collectors. investors and enthusiasts alike. Who. no doubt. will realise that they may never get such an opportunity again.

 

Already it is a show winner if ever we saw one.

 

VALUE

 

In today's market it is hard to imagine just where you could put a relatively small amount that would possibly give a better return than investing in this car. In any event we are certain that no other similar cost investment could give as much pleasure as NLS 192P will give you.

 

Condition. exceptionally low miles. future investment potential and originality will add to the value of any classic. NLS 192P is at the very top of the league in all these categories.  

 

You might expect such a rare car with such a low mileage to be worth upwards of £15. 00 - and we would agree. However our reserve is set way. way below the above figure - thousands of pounds below. in fact the reserve is not even a five but. incredibly. just a four figure sum - so you just could be very. very lucky indeed!

 

 

VIEWING

 

We will. of course. be happy for serious buyers to view the car by appointment and with reasonable notice. although we will always do our best to accommodate. prior to auction end. However. please bear in mind the expected final price above.

 

If you are unsure of being able to acquire the relevant funds equal to the expected final price you should question. for both our sakes. whether you should come to view.

 

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want before you bid. If you have any doubt come and see it first or at the very least telephone. However. if you require someone else to sanction the purchase. i. e. your wife's permission. please get it before you come to view.

 

If you do want to view or ask for any more information please call David. on 07771 567567 or e-mail via ebay. We really are very approachable and welcome any questions about the vehicle.

 

ORIGINAL V RESTORED - OUR VIEW

 

We endeavour. on the whole. to offer original. genuine. exceptionally low mileage and unrestored cars from the 1970. and 1980. .

 

Almost all cars from this era have had a little paint rectification carried out at some time during their 20-40 years. However there is. of course. a huge difference between rectification of paint work and total vehicle restoration.

 

Paint rectification at the factory post production line or. indeed. by the supplying dealer was common in the 70's and 80's when most cars were sprayed by hand as opposed to today's automated processes. From time to time we will offer a car that has had some paint rectification for these reasons or perhaps to localised areas following parking mishaps etcetera.

 

Occasionally we may offer a car that has had rather more paint rectification although we will always endeavour to make this known in the description. It will be very rare however for us to offer a car that has had a full restoration. and only then if we have satisfied ourselves of the quality of the work.

 

It is becoming extremely difficult to obtain an unrestored 20-40 year old car. By and large they were just not built to last in the 70's and 80's. However. if you do find an original example that's survived the chances are that. if looked after. it should last for many more years. after all it will only have lasted this long because it will have had little use and been extraordinarily well cared for previously. The same. unfortunately. is far less likely to be able to be said for a car that has under gone renovation.

 

We think that you simply cannot beat a straight original example of any item. There is a school of thought that believes that if you take something apart and then put it back together you are just recreating that item in a false attempt to make it as it was in its former glory. and that no matter how well a vehicle has been restored it can only be original once.

 

Whereas we know that many restorations are done to the highest standards we believe that there are far more that are not. Who really knows what skulduggery may lie beneath a car that has possibly covered hundreds of thousands of miles then been restored at least one time or maybe even more than once! In our view if a car has required restoration then by default it must have become worn out. tired and have most probably been neglected.

 

It is interesting to note that of late we have sold some of our finest original quality cars to some of that particular Marques top and best known restorers - not for them to restore but for them to keep! Even they know. in their hearts. that one thing is for sure - a car that has been the subject of restoration. no matter how good will. almost with out exception. lack the spirit and soul of an original example and probably cost 3 times as much to complete and be worth less than half the an original example when done!

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

By Bidding on any item it will be deemed that you have read understood and accept these conditions.

 

ZERO RATED BIDDERS OR BIDDERS WITH A RATING OF LESS THAN 10. please read the conditions that apply to you below.

 

Contacts. location

The vehicle is in South West Oxfordshire. 15 minutes from the A34 at Oxford (M40 from London or Birmingham) or 20 minutes from Swindon East Junction of the M4.

Mobile 07771 567567

E-mail via ebay

Before you enter a bid

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want. that you are happy with and understand the description. that you understand the rules of ebay and that you have read these terms and conditions.

 

Description

We have included a full and honest description and photographs which many people will feel happy to buy from. The description endeavours to be as informative as practically possible but is not. obviously. meticulous with regard to every individual part or area of the vehicle and is intended to represent an overview and not a thorough condition assessment report.

 

Please remember that all vehicles deteriorate as soon as they leave the factory. just some to a lesser degree than others. This is not a new vehicle and common sense. giving consideration to its age and mileage. should prevail. Any references to condition should be taken in the context of age of vehicle.

 

If you require any further information regarding specific areas please just ask. BEFORE YOU BID.

 

We are a business selling on ebay it is important to us to maintain our good seller's reputation and ensure that our customers are completely satisfied. Therefore it is positively not in our interest to deliberately miss-describe the vehicle.

 

Finally so confident are we that our description is a fair representation of the vehicle that if. on collection. it is not and there are obvious serious imperfections or serious faults. not previously mentioned. we will not expect you to proceed. However please do not interpret this genuine good practice offer as a way out of not paying. or paying less for a vehicle that you have legally bought for the amount bid at the auction end.

Photographs

All photographs in the listing are taken by us using a digital camera. They are recent and are often taken just hours before the listing is posted. Other shots may be available please just ask and let us have an email address. All photographs are copyrighted and may not be used elsewhere without our express written permission.

Test drive

You will be able to take the vehicle on an accompanied test drive before you pay for it but will only be able to not proceed if you find a major mechanical fault that has not been mentioned in the description.

When you bid

By bidding you are agreeing and legally bound. if your bid is highest and the reserve is reached. to unconditionally buy the vehicle for the price that you have bid.

Negative. zero rated. international bidders or bidders with a score of less than 10 please call or e-mail before you bid with a landline number and address. We accept that just because you don't have a high score does not mean that you are not serious. but we do need to check you are real. that you clearly understand the rules and your intentions are good-you hear of some horrible tales!.

 

Far be it for us to tell you how to go about bidding. However. over the years we have had some bitterly disappointed bidders who placed there best and final bid just to late.

 

We understand why you might leave your bidding until the final few seconds however please at least make sure that you are signed in to your . . bay account. one of our customers recently missed a car that he had searched for for years because when he went to bid he had been logged out and had not left himself time to re enter his password!

 

It may be to your advantage to take independent advice on the best way to bid. You are welcome to call 07771 567567 after the auction end should your bid not have been successful.

Reserve and buy it now price

As is the way with auctions. we will not normally divulge the reserve price or issue a buy it now price. if we do from time to time we will state so in the description.

 

In fairness to all bidders we will not end the auction early and let it run its course. except on the very rear occasion of the vehicle being advertised elsewhere.

 

Please. do not ask what the reserve is set at we really are unable to say any more about the reserve than we already have under the value section.

 

 

If you are the winner

The Successful bidder should contact us within 12 hours of auction end. Preferably  by email. via ebay. and by telephone 07771 567567.

 

An invoice will be issued for the full amount via ebay with instructions how to pay the deposit via Paypal.

 

All buyers must pay a £200 Deposit via Paypal or cash within 24 hours of end of auction.

Payment

In all cases the balances. after the £200 deposit above or any additional deposit below. must be paid within 7 days of auction end.

 

The total Balance to be paid by Cash U. K pounds on collection or bank transfer prior to collection. We will transfer the money back should we not proceed for misrepresentation reasons as outlined above.

 

If you are unable to provide the above we will require an additional deposit of 10% of the sale price paid in cash or via Paypal within 48 hours of the auction end. You will then be able to give us a personal cheque or bankers draft provided they are drawn on a U. K bank either of these will need to be cleared and funds drawn against them prior to the vehicle being released. Sorry there can be no exceptions and deposits are not refundable.

Collection

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed. We will assist you with collection where we can and will email full directions on how to find us.

Please give us as much notice of required collection time and date as possible. If you are delayed its not normally a problem please just let us know. We would ask that you ring us when you are an hour or so away from us.

We reserve the right to charge for storage if the vehicle is not collected within 7 days of auction end.

We do check our vehicles over before sale but please remember that the vehicles we sell often are many years old and some of them have had none or very little recent use. Occasionally things can unexpectedly go wrong. Allow plenty of time for your journey. especially if you are catching a ferry and it may be a good idea to have AA or RAC cover. this is not a reflection on this particular car just good general advice for any older/classic car user.

 

We are happy to pickup the buyer from Oxford or Swindon Station; delivery of the vehicle or collection of the buyer from elsewhere may be possible at extra cost – just ask. We will always try to be flexible and help where we can

 

AIRPORTS. Provided that the reserve price has been met we do offer a collection service from Birmingham. Luton. Heathrow or Bristol Airports. subject to suitable times. We charge a nominal £25. 00 for this. For costs where the reserve has not been met or other locations please enquire.

 

Delivery. we do have a tow vehicle and are able to hire a trailer big enough for most cars. please enquire.

General

Non paying bidders will be reported to ebay and may be referred to an international debt collection agency.

 

The successful bidder should ensure that the vehicle is insured by them at auction end.

 

Bidders from outside the U. K. welcome but please call before bidding.

 

Descriptions. terms conditions and pictures used in this listing are copyrighted and my not be used without the authors express permission.

 

Items bought at auction do not have warranty.

 

You will not be disappointed with this vehicle so please start your bidding now- best of Luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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