MEET THE OWNER – GORDON MORRIS AND HIS VAUXHALL VENTORA V.I.P
By Andrew Roberts |
11th March, 2021
Any FE-Series Ventora is now an unusual sight, but Gordon’s example is a car of special distinction. In May 1973, the advertisements stated, ‘Your Vauxhall dealer is offering a limited edition Ventora called the V.I.P. It’s black and it’s absolutely beautiful’. Mr. Morris came by his car in 1987 ‘as I was membership secretary for a while for the VX 4/90 Drivers’ Club’.
The V.I.P was not quite the first special version of the FE as the Victor ES debuted in February 1973. ‘You get everything you possibly want’ claimed Vauxhall, which was true if all you craved was a better-equipped 1800 or 2300 saloon. And your neighbours would be doubtlessly impressed by the front head restraints, nylon trim, reclining front seats, reversing lamps, a cigar lighter, and electric windscreen washers.
Any ES in Sunspot Yellow or Garnet Starmist caused a minor sensation in outer suburbia with its super luxury wheel trims. Three months later, Luton unveiled an even more impressive FE, and the V.I.P owner could revel in its automatic transmission, front fog lamps and a radio with an electric aerial. The seats were upholstered in the same material as the ES; Gordon points out that this material tends to ‘disintegrates in sunlight’.
Vauxhall built just 250 examples, and the dashboard featured a plaque bearing the engraved production number. The V.I.P was undoubtedly a very desirable machine and one to add lustre to any showroom. Unfortunately, 1973 was the year that Vauxhall commissioned possibly the worst advertisement in the history of British television.
It was unknown just how many Granada GXL or Rover 3500 P6B drivers were persuaded to buy a V.I.P after witnessing Julian Orchard dressed as a giant Gryphon. However, the answer is probably not many, and when Vauxhall introduced their next limited edition FE in October 1974, they adopted a more low-key approach. At that time, James Hunt was the company’s celebrity spokesman, informing the would-be buyer that he saw the 2300S as ‘an ideal car for running my business colleagues around in’.
The latest Victor was good value for money at £1,869.83 or £1,999.83 in automatic form. In essence, it was an attractive combination of the 2.3-litre Victor with the Ventora’s vinyl roof, a radio-cassette player and a choice of Viking Blue or Bright Green metallic paint finishes. ‘Don’t leave it too long’, urged Vauxhall.
Today, the Morris V.I.P is ‘in primer waiting for a re-spray with the engine out that I have overhauled during the lockdown’. He knows twenty survivors ‘five of which including my own are showing as taxed in 2021’. As for the ES and the 2300S, he is aware of 19 of the former and 39 of the latter. Each illustrates the FE’s good looks and distinctive mid-Atlantic appeal. Plus, with the V.I.P. that sense of ‘exclusiveness’.
With Thanks To – Gordon Morris and the VX 4/90 Drivers’ Club.
Why choose Lancaster Insurance?
Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.
We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the UK and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.
Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:
- Historic rally cover
- Static show cover
- Limited mileage discounts
- Choice of repairer
- 24-hour claims helpline
Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Vauxhall today.
Share this story, choose your platform
