1960 VAUXHALL VELOX
ENGINE 2262cc/6-cyl/OHV POWER 78bhp@4400rpm TORQUE 124lb ft@1800rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 90mph 0-60MPH 18sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 22-26mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed manual MoT 12 months ODOMETER 11,039 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Any Velox PA – a cheaper alternative to the Cresta but with the same mechanicals and only minor trim difference details – puts a massive smile on the face of everyone who sees it, and this is no different. The 2.3-litre straight-six engine starts instantly and appears to be in rude health, showing no signs of excessive smoke, oil contamination or tendency to overheat. It’s torquey and flexible enough to make tackling even steep hills surprisingly easy, and the three-speed column-shift gearbox is free of any play. The suspension feels and sounds good and there are no leaks. The steering is light and the geometry well set up – even with crossply tyres the car feels free from significant wander on the road. There’s some body roll in bends, but nothing serious. The brakes are surprisingly good, too.
BODYWORK CHECK
Veloxes were not officially available with two-tone paint finishes – this one was originally single-tone grey – but the grey over blue paint shines with a deep lustre and is finished to a very good standard. The body is excellent and a check under the car reveals no signs of major work, even on the boot floor. The sills appear original, though it looks like there there may have been some perfectly acceptable repairs made where they meet the rear wheelarches. There are a couple of minor paint blemishes, including small bubbles on the lower edge of the rear passenger door and the centre of one of the rear wings. The chrome is in excellent order.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
It’s like a timewarp in here. There’s a tiny tear in the rear seat, but everything else – headlining, sunvisors and carpets – is virtually as new. Even the dashboard padding is unblemished. The instruments look like new and all seem work, though the lovely chromesurrounded radio does not and there are a few tiny chips on the steering wheel. Speaking of chrome, the considerable interior chrome is complete and in excellent condition.
UNDER THE BONNET
Everything here is superbly presented, right down to the last detail, including an original windscreen washer bottle. There’s evidence of work having been carried out, including a new-looking radiator and hoses (though there’s no mention of this in the considerable service history) and fresh-looking oil.
THE CCW VIEW
It would cost a fortune to restore a Velox to this standard. All the rare and expensive bits, such as the chrome, are excellent and the minor body blemishes are nothing to worry about. It even retains its original registration number. The service history file contains MoT certificates going back to 1978, when the car had 92,000 miles on the odometer.
EXTERIOR Generally excellent, minor paintwork flaws INTERIOR Excellent and original MECHANICALS Drives superbly