Saving a 1959 Vauxhall Velox.
(Or, How to spend what will likely be way more than
the thing will ever be worth on a wholly rotten car)
OK... whew... where do I start. OK, I guess by now you know that
I like these old Vauxhalls a lot. Anyways, what I really wanted, what my
dream car is, is a 58-59 Cresta. This is the antique car that I WANT more
than any other. I'm not kidding. I've owned 3 XKEs, an XK150, A 57 Bel-Air
Convertible..etc.. But I want a 3-Window PA.
You now think I am crazy. So do most people but in the US, having a 65
Mustang.. well.. its not a big deal really. Same for 55-57 Chevies, 69 Camaros
and Chevelles..etc. I wanted something different.
Anyhow. What really cinched the deal on the 1960 that I have is this car:
What's that thing in the Barn?
A 1959 Vauxhall Velox. One of perhaps 4 or 5 surviving
LHD Luton-Built cars. I.E. Hideously rare. And hideously
rusty. Thanks to Bank of America for sending an Off-Lease 1996 Jeep Grand
Cherokee Laredo to Central Florida Auto Auction (I'm a
car dealer by trade), U-Haul for renting me a trailer, and Canadian Customs
for letting me into Canada! I dragged the trailer up to
Canada and got the car! Luckily I have a guy in Town, Carl Millward, who
is from the UK and he will be handling the restoration. Me with a Welder?
I'd burn Orlando down! Poor Carl, he's gonna hate me!
So, I'll be chronicaling the restoration of the car here. Its' a very low
mileage car, but very very rusty (Those of you who know Vauxhalls are shocked
to hear that I'm sure!). In fact, some of the parts on my 1960 came off of
this car. Yup, I'll have to kill the 1960 Velox (The White one, not the Blue
one silly!) to save this car, but I think that the 3-window is rare enough
that it warrants the work and the White 1960 Velox is just too far gone to
save. This car has bad doors, a bad cowl, behind the front fenders its'
total swiss cheese, the front floors, inner and outer rockers (sills), radiator
support, front frame rails..etc.. Its' all bad.
Here's another shot of the car, with Bill McLaughlin, the previous owner
and restorer of the 1960 Blue Velox. Obviously happy to see this wreck
go!
Watch this page for updates! Its' now here in Orlando and work should
start VERY soon!
