BREATHTAKING 1972 VAUXHALL VICTOR 3.3 VENTORA 1 OWNER & JUST 7,000 MILE FROM NEW

PRESENTING

A once in a life time opportunity to acquire. what is almost certainly. the lowest mileage best original condition 1972. Road tax free. Vauxhall Victor FE 3. 3 Ventora automatic available anywhere - worldwide.

Just 7. 00 (seven thousand Two hundred) genuine miles and one owner from new.

Totally standard specification with factory Power assisted steering and wing mirror option. No dealer fitted extras - not even an underseal or radio.

Used by its only elderly owner very infrequently for less than five years before being garage stored until recently.  

   Consequently now remarkably rust free and never welded.

This very desirable range topping example retains all of its original factory fitted panels & glass and the overwhelming majority of its paint finish applied in the Luton plant forty four years ago.

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 a basic 1800 a 2300 was also available across the range.

Top of the range though and most certainly the car to have in its day was the stylish and incredibly well equipped Ventora with its 3. 3 engine.

The Ventora. and the cheaper sporting version the VX4/90. stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the range with their honey comb grille  twin headlights and indicators below the front bumper.

The Ventora also featured as standard vinyl roof covering. additional side rubbing strips. a brushed aluminium panel between the rear lights. 14 inch wheels with radial tyres as standard and chrome outer trim rings with special hub caps - the lettering on them saying "Vauxhall Motors Limited"

The Ventora interior was fully equipped featuring unique seating with reclining bucket type to the fronts and rear and centre armrest. rosewood effect for  the centre consul and dashboard which housed full instrumentation including rev counter. oil pressure gauge & ammeter. A three spoke sports leather covered steering wheel set the whole thing off. Power steering was standard. very rare for a car of its type in the early seventies

The Ventora was without doubt the best looking of the FE models and remains so to date. They really do look stunning. If all of the FE's had adopted the Ventora styling sales of the range no doubt would have been far higher than they were.

Just over 7. 00 Ventora's were made and today only a handful survive.

Of those that do survive the vast majority have been restored. at worst poorly bodged. In both cases the work will have been carried for the same reasons though. worn out. tired and full of Rust!

To find an original condition un-restored Victor of any type today is rare.

To find the most desirable and sought after. in fact the Holy Grail of Victor FE's - the Ventora - in that condition would be very. very rare indeed. However to find a totally original completely unmolested Ventora that had covered just 7. 00 miles with just one owner from new would be more than just a big ask - that. surely. would be asking the impossible.

. actually it's not.

YDX 334L

On the 12 September 1972 the first and only owner. then 71. of YDX 334L travelled four or so miles from the family Fruit Farm situated on the edge of a small town in Suffolk to Bristo's Garage. Vauxhall/Bedford dealers of Woodbridge Road Ipswich.

The purpose of his visit was to collect his brand new Top of the range Vauxhall Ventora.

The car had been ordered in the best colour combination of Emerald Green Starmist (metallic) with saddle trim. Factory options were automatic transmission and Vauxhall wing mirrors. no dealer extras were fitted not even a radio or an underseal (a godsend 42 years on if Concours is to be your thing).

Power assisted steering was standard with the Ventora.

It had always been the intention of the owner to only use his new car infrequently. in the main only for special occasions. At seventy one he was still active in the fruit farming business and there were plenty of other vehicles at the owners disposal. He certainly was not going to use his new car and his absolute pride and joy on a daily basis. Most of the time YDX 334L was kept stored under covers in one of the farm buildings.

On the 13th September 1976 YDX 334L was taxed for 12 months and on 21st September 1977 it was taken to the local MOT station for its second ever MOT test. The mileage recorded on that certificate (copy in the history file) was 6. 77. These were to be the last times that the Ventora was ever to be taxed and MOT'ed.

In the autumn of 1977 returning from a trip with his wife the owner. now 76. misjudged the entrance to the Farm and caught the gateway with the O/S/F/ wing of the Ventora. There was minimal damaged to the car but it was enough to convince the owner. no doubt with a little encouragement from his wife. to retire from driving.

YDX 334L. still with the small dent to its wing. was corrected laid up raised off the ground under covers in the corner of one of the dry fruit storage barns. Although started and run recurrently there it stayed for the next three and a half decades!

When the owner died in 1985 his son took over the farm. the business and title to YDX 334L. although he never transferred it into his name. drove it or even moved it from where his father had left it.

During the thirty five years or so of storage various members of the family showed interest in acquiring the Ventora. The owners son. now himself in his seventies. decided that. so as not to show any favouritism to any one family member over another. he would dispose of YDX 334L outside of the family.  

YDX 334L was transported from its resting place to a local garage  a dozen or so miles away where correct precautions were under taken in their workshops before any attempt to start the Ventora. Once started the workshops undertook a program of re-commissioning which included fitment of a complete new stainless steel exhaust system to replace the original 1972 one.

At the time of listing YDX 334L has not been on public roads since 1977 and has not been MOT'ed since 1976. However it starts. drives and stops as it should and our mechanic Lee will be thoroughly checking it over. test driving it and taking it for a new MOT before auction end.  

Today the genuine mileage on this rare highly sought after top of the range car that was built over forty years ago is just 7. 22. Almost everything about it and the parts that make it up including all 5 tyres are those fitted at the factory and are over 4 decades old. They do not come more original than YDX 334L.

BODYWORK

Finished in Emerald Green and set off by the standard. unmarked. matching green vinyl roof YDX 334L 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.

We have had our body shop attend to the dent in the front wing that was the grounds for the car being confined to storage all those years ago. Apart from rectification necessary to the dent the paint work is that applied at Luton 42 years ago.

Overall YDX 334L is remarkably rust free. Under very close scrutiny you can just detect the start of a little very minor surface only oxidisation in a few tiny 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 light surface scratch  caused during storage.

Door. boot and bonnet shuts are excellent.

Original number plates with dealer name.

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!

Original bright rim embellishers. A couple these have started to tarnish however.

The hub caps are all excellent.

Due to undercover storage away from sunlight even items so often requiring replacement like the window and windscreen rubbers have not deteriorated.

Theres a few blemishes that have been touched in with a touch up brush.

The bright work is in good 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.

The chrome strip that would be on the lower N/S/F wing is missing

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

INTERIOR

The interior is again excellent. /span>

The saddle vinyl 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 brown carpets have not worn. faded or lost their tufting.

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 is the original leather bound steering wheel.

The original pedal rubbers show no wear at all.

It is a truly lovely place to be and you will not find better on Ventora.

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.

No Radio or cut out for one.

YDX 334L has covered just 7. 22 miles from new and is over 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 and presenting only how a low mileage cared for car can with original stickers including the Vauxhall anti freeze sticker on the original radiator.

A couple of touch ins 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.

Here the boot is excellent in every way.

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.

ON THE ROAD

YDX 334L has not been on the road since 1977. We have however driven it on our private ground and can report no apparent problems.

It has been re-commissioned for use and as we say our mechanic-Lee is due to do his checks and MOT the car before auction end.

So far though the car starts on the button with automatic choke.

There are no untoward noises.

The gears change up and down as they should.

The power steering is a delight.

As we have also said the tyres are the factory originals which is a must for shows of course but they should be checked at this age before driving at speed or over distance.

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

HISTORY FILE

1.    Original V5 registration document showing previous keepers as none.

2.    All five tax discs that were ever issued.

3.    1976 MOT.

4.    certified copy's of all the above stamped by DVLA local office as having seen the originals

5.    original supplying dealer tax disc holder

6.    There will be a new MOT prior to collection.

7.    hand book.

8.    service book - blank

9.    GM automatic transmission book

As the last time that the car was taxed was 1977 the DVLA no longer hold records for some vehicles that have not been taxed since 1983. A check on the DVLA website would indicate that YDX 334L falls into this category which would explain why the copies were made at the DVLA local office (before it was closed last year). To obtain a current V5C in order to tax the car. which will be free each year. it will be necessary for the new owner to apply to the DVLA under the V765 scheme. The certified copies or the originals along with a form will need to be submitted and the identity of the car confirmed by any vehicle owners club from the DVLA published list. It is almost certain in this case that the existing registration number can be retained. We have sourced a company that will do all of the above for you including making the application to the DVLA. identifying the car all by email at a cost of £55 and about 3 weeks from start to you getting the V5C. We have spoken to them and they see no issues - you could do it yourself but for the sake of £55 we'd let them do it!    

SUMMARY

It is a safe bet that you will never again get an opportunity to own such an original. extraordinarily low mileage Ventora.

YDX 334L is more than just an exceptional 1972 Victor FE - it is the "Holy Grail" of such examples a Ventora. It has unmistakably been cherished. cared for and loved by its elderly owner until stored 35 years ago. It has covered just 7. 00 miles from new.

It's a bold claim "the lowest mileage best original condition Vauxhall Ventora available anywhere - worldwide"  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 YDX 334L to become a Concours contender.

This rare car 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 YDX 334L will give you.

How many times have we all said to ourselves "if only I had bought such and such a car back then. look what is worth today". Rarely have we had  a car that this sentiment is more applicable to than the one offered here.

Condition. exceptionally low miles. future investment potential and originality will add to the value of any classic. YDX 334L is at the very top of the league in all these categories.  

You might expect such a rare original 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. in fact thousands of pounds below. Incredibly the reserve is not even a five figure but a four figure sum - so you just could be very. very lucky indeed!

Please see changes to our normal collection times below

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.

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 and any additional deposit in collection section below. must be paid before Friday 16th May 2014

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.

Sorry there can be no exceptions and deposits are not refundable.

Collection

The vehicle must be collected either before 11am on Wednesday the 30th April 2014 or after Tuesday 13th May 2014. If collection shall be the latter a further deposit of an extra £500 must be paid before 11am on Wednesday 30th April.

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 13 May 2014.

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

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