Aug 04, 2004 09:06 AM
19876 Views
(Updated Aug 04, 2004 09:06 AM)
I have a 1976 Vauxhall VX2300 estate [fastback station wagon] which Ive owned since 1991, I had 4 more before it, including the 3.3 engined Ventora, So seeing this Contessa is... ermm.. interesting to say the least! even if it just turns out to be a handy bit of knowledge about where I can locate new body panels in future!
My one has been in storage since 1996 due to the 5th gearbox breaking. The engine is VERY powerful in mine & I've found the gearbox & axle [3 broken] to be the weak link in the chain.
Performance wise, its on par with the BMW 325i on acceleration & tops out at around 120 MPH [aprox 200 KPH]
Visually mine is a slight custom, with twin square headlamps, fibreglass front spoiler / air dam, seats, & 7 dial dashboard, all of which came off one of my previous rare`GLS` model which was vandalised. its also matt black in colour & has silver tinted glass, has wide [225 section tyres] & Spax adjustable suspension.
If youve seen the car Mel Gibson drives in the film 'Mad Max 1', you'll have an idea what mine looks like!
Its nicknamed 'the terminator' & people usually move out of the way when they see it apear in the rear view mirror!
In the next year or so, I intend to fit the engine & transmission from one of my other cars, the Vauxhall Senator 3.0i [which hits 60 MPH, in around 7 seconds tops out around 150 MPH [around 250 KPH] & weighs significantly more but was used in the 1990`s by the British motorway police due to its excellent performance] should in theory increase performance to around BMW M5 levels..... & thats before I install nitrous!
Anyway.. once again very interesting & good to see I`m not the only one who appreciates this rare old beast!
