Drivetime

Back in the 1990s there was one sight that had criminal getaway drivers panicking – and that was the grille of a police Vauxhall Senator looming large in the rear view mirror.

The Senator was initially aimed at company bosses who wanted to go places fast and because, in part, of the choice of gear ratios in the fast manual versions, the police loved it.

There was a lot of the old Carlton about the Senator which had a lot to live up to after the demise of the Vauxhall Royale.

The police were delighted with it and the Senator became a familiar sight on motorways and highways, always able to catch wrongdoers with its punchy power unit. In many ways it took over from the police Rover SD1 V8s.

Any worries out the car’s ability to deliver in terms of performance were dispelled by the 200bhp 24-valve version which could hit 150mph if pushed.

The Senator operated in that arena with such models as the Ford Granada and the big Volvos and had a lot going for it

The greatest evolution of the Senators came in 1987. Initially its two engines were straight six-cylinders in 2.5 or 3.0-litre forms. The front engine rear drive continued, as did the long travel all round independent suspension.

With aerodynamic looks and an aggressive chip-cutter grille it developed into a real driver’s car with impressive handling capabilities for its size.

The 24-valve Senator became one of the finest police cars available. Officers appreciated the stable chassis, blistering straight line speed and comfortable cabin.

In the past forces had stockpiled the Rover SD1 3500 upon notice of the models demise.

And so it followed that some constabularies also stockpiled the Senator, using the years after its deletion.

But on the fleet and private motoring front, the Senator, being a Vauxhall, was not exactly known for holding value and quickly became regarded as a cut price luxury banger on the used market.

Sadly, although being a fine car for its time, the Senator just did not have the class to ensure scrupulous upkeep in its old days and its numbers are now decreasing every day. Although over 33,000 were made, it is now down to hundreds, if that.