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Sept 13, 2016 17:41:53 GMT
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Ok, So even though I've got more than enough projects to be getting on with, sometimes people contact me about old cars that they're waiting to sell. Since I sold my Mk2 Granada I've been missing a huge tank of a car. I got the call about this 1971 Vauxhall Viscount. The back story is the car has been laid up since 2009. Basically the elderly owner died, his wife left it in the garage but now she is in a retirement home and the guys nephew is left with selling the lot. I took a ride in to London and here's what I was presented with in a really old garage. With a set of jump leads and some brake cleaner down the carb, the 3.3 straight six fired up! Result. As you can see from this pic the car was originally green. My research told me that Viscounts only came in green, red and blue so that made sense. Inside it has the standard walnut dash, the electric windows all round and the 'Powerglide' auto transmission. The seats need some attention along with the driver electric window but the rest of the interior is looking pretty good. So a deal was done as I just had to have it as I was missing the Granada. So out it came and onto the trailer. Now you're probably going to be thinking what I did, 'what the hell is going on with the rear end?' Apparently according to the nephew his uncle was a Jazz musician and played the drums with the likes of Tony Bennet and Burt Bacharach, apparently he had the car modified to accommodate his massive drum kit. It looks like he fitted some commercial leaf springs underneath. They're HUGE!! I'm really pleased with the car but nothing will be happening with it too soon as I've already got loads on the go and the shop is full. But I couldn't resist buying a cool looking car. Any ways, thanks for looking as alway.
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Twitter @w0rd5w0rth
1957 Ford Prefect 1965 Austin 1100 4 door 1968 Fiat 500L 1969 Ford Escort Super 1971 Vauxhall Viscount 1974 MGB GT 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 1981 Ford Capri GL 1982 Ford Cortina Crusader 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier L 1987 Austin Maestro City 500 1987 Ford Fiesta 1.1L 1988 Volvo 240GL 1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth 1991 Fiat 126 BIS 1993 BMW 740i 1997 BMW M3 Evo 1998 Ford Transit Beavertail 2002 MINI Cooper S
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Sept 13, 2016 17:54:53 GMT
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That gets a big OOF from me,what a find! Very rare car and looks very solid at first glance which is unusual for that era of Vauxhall,lovely thing
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Sept 13, 2016 18:38:43 GMT
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One of the cars that would be in my dream garage, and now I am absolutely green with envy! Can I be incredibly rude, and ask what you gave for it?
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1971 Vauxhall ViscountMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Sept 13, 2016 19:21:16 GMT
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Now that is a superb find,I'm very jealous ,sensational car
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Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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Sept 13, 2016 19:57:08 GMT
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Yes. My grandparents next door neighbours had one in the late 70s - it was huge to me!
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1968 Cal Look Beetle - 2007cc motor - 14.45@93mph in full street trim 1970-ish Karmann Beetle cabriolet - project soon to be re-started. 1986 Scirocco - big plans, one day!
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Sept 13, 2016 20:28:03 GMT
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The list of cars you own is pretty amazing. All the ones you've posted on here that I have seen you've made into superb examples. These big Vauxhall's are so rare now, trust you not only to find one but for it not to be totally rotten! These really are very large cars, just look at the length of those rear wings! I'm sure you will turn this into a stunning example once you have performed your magic. Snowfoam at the ready?!
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MK2VR6
Posted a lot
Mk2 Golf GTi 90 Spec
Posts: 3,328
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Sept 13, 2016 20:28:14 GMT
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That's gorgeous. Great it's got a bit of a back story to it as well - I'd be tempted to see if there's any other history you could find out for it.
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Sept 13, 2016 20:53:04 GMT
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highvoltage - I didn't realise how rare the Viscount actually was until I read up on what it is. It's basically a luxury Cresta PC and like you say most of those have rotted away. I think this has lived in that garage most of its life when not being used.
del - I fell in love with it when I saw it instantly so I can see why you would want one in your dream garage. You want first refusal? 😂
mercdan68 - Cheers buddy, amazing that it goes to show there's still genuine 'barn finds' out there rather than the EBay fakes.
neilsdavies - It still is bloody huge! It swamped my trailer and the poor old Zafira didn't enjoy pulling it. You want to see inside the boot.
mk2polobloke - Dude, you follow all my work and now you already know me so well. The snow foam will be working its magic on this one. I think under the thick layer of dust it might not be too bad. It's actually in pretty good shape, also you can see on the MOT history online it's only had minor advisories that I can sort. The car is so big, funny you mention those wings as the car reminds me of a big American car of the era. I have some plans for it which I'm sure you'll like and probably have guessed as you know my builds. I appreciate the compliment dude! I had to let the Granada go as I'd got as far as I could with it after the ClassicFord feature. It's sad but I can't keep them all. I don't have the space.
MK2VR6 - Yes it's got some good solid history with it and other than the colour being changed it's relatively stock. I did Google the number plate and found some pictures on a FlickR from years ago of it parked in a Sainsburys! Other than that I've not had time to go through it properly.
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Twitter @w0rd5w0rth
1957 Ford Prefect 1965 Austin 1100 4 door 1968 Fiat 500L 1969 Ford Escort Super 1971 Vauxhall Viscount 1974 MGB GT 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 1981 Ford Capri GL 1982 Ford Cortina Crusader 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier L 1987 Austin Maestro City 500 1987 Ford Fiesta 1.1L 1988 Volvo 240GL 1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth 1991 Fiat 126 BIS 1993 BMW 740i 1997 BMW M3 Evo 1998 Ford Transit Beavertail 2002 MINI Cooper S
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mexicansteve
South West
Posts: 683
Club RR Member Number: 31
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1971 Vauxhall Viscountmexicansteve
@mexicansteve
Club Retro Rides Member 31
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Sept 13, 2016 21:40:09 GMT
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Well done on rescuing that. It is all kinds of awesome. What a cool tank. I'd love to see one of those cruising on by.
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BeQuietandDrive
1989 Bedford Astra Van
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Sept 14, 2016 9:17:11 GMT
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Phwoooooooorrrrrrrr !!!!! Wow. Yeah man.. that's pretty damn choice! I have a sales catalogue somewhere for these. I love the hugeness of it all.
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düdo
Part of things
wide as house
Posts: 770
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Sept 14, 2016 11:31:31 GMT
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Never seen one of these. On first glance at that tail end I thought it was some kind of Aussie import. Looks good. Where do you keep that stash of tin you've got listed? Private multi-storey carpark?
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Sept 14, 2016 15:04:57 GMT
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Never seen one of these. On first glance at that tail end I thought it was some kind of Aussie import. Looks good. Where do you keep that stash of tin you've got listed? Private multi-storey carpark? That's right, dudo, the back end is quite reminiscent of a Leyland P76.
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Sept 14, 2016 15:37:33 GMT
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oh yes.that is a lovely old motor, my grandad had one in period and spoke fondly of it often. He wasn't allowed a mustang apparently.... :-) was told he needed something more sensible for the town!great save, seriously rare thing!
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Sept 14, 2016 15:39:24 GMT
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^ just remembered that he used to tell me that he got from Aberdeen to Romford in about 9hours pre motorway in one of them... second refusal?! :-)
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Sept 14, 2016 18:49:00 GMT
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That's a helluva find fella they are a very rare car. Must be one of the last on a J reg? Is it a 2 or 3 speed auto? Look forward to some more updates. On all of your fleet!!
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Sinky
Posted a lot
Run Baby Run......Please!
Posts: 1,395
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Sept 14, 2016 18:51:49 GMT
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Niicceeee What a find.
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2001 Volvo XC70 wagon
2003 Piaggio X9 Evo
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Sept 14, 2016 20:59:18 GMT
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mexicansteve - Thanks buddy, tank is the right word. As far as cruising by, you and me both.
yoeddynz - Cheers buddy, I'd love to see what that sales catalogue looks like.
düdo - You'd be forgiven for thinking it wasn't British that's for sure. It's not quite a multi-storey but that would come in handy. I've got a workshop I rent out, I keep them there. I am full up though!
oldntired - I'd never heard of a Leyland P76 before your post, I like them!
s1105127 - I'm starting to get the impression it's quite a rare car the more I research it. I can't imagine it's a quick car but I guess back in the day with the 3.3 and standard twin exhausts it might have been. Yes second refusal is yours 😂
marsh300ce - Thanks buddy, yes it certainly is a genuine 'barn find' car. When I researched them they went to 1972 so nearly one of the last. It's a later car I know that as earlier cars had fold down tables on the back of the front seats, which were then later changed on safety grounds to map pockets which mine has. I think it's a 3 speed automatic Powerglide but I'm not 100% sure. More updates of all the collection to follow. Thank you for following them.
Sinky - Thanks buddy I'm very pleased with it.
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Twitter @w0rd5w0rth
1957 Ford Prefect 1965 Austin 1100 4 door 1968 Fiat 500L 1969 Ford Escort Super 1971 Vauxhall Viscount 1974 MGB GT 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 1981 Ford Capri GL 1982 Ford Cortina Crusader 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier L 1987 Austin Maestro City 500 1987 Ford Fiesta 1.1L 1988 Volvo 240GL 1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth 1991 Fiat 126 BIS 1993 BMW 740i 1997 BMW M3 Evo 1998 Ford Transit Beavertail 2002 MINI Cooper S
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Sept 15, 2016 13:02:10 GMT
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genuinely jealous. wiki is so right, like a baby impala !
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,107
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Sept 15, 2016 14:02:55 GMT
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Nice score. I loves a tank of a car, esp one with that styling!
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breng
Part of things
Posts: 223
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Sept 15, 2016 16:47:31 GMT
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Fantastic - love the transatlantic styling. Crying out for a V8.
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