1985 Vauxhall Senator

1985 Vauxhall Senator 2. 5L - 70K miles from new

This car is a fantastic survivor having spent most of its life with just one owner. Finished in SIlver Moss within a rich luxurious green velour interior. Pictures don’t really show how amazing the interior is (and how green!). It has a wonderful road presence and always gets admiring looks wherever we take it

This is a quality German built car, made by Opel in their factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany. These cars were built to rival the BMWs and Mercedes of their era

This is a very rare car, even in their day they were hardly common sights on the road. According to the DVLA there are only 3 Senator 2. 5L with manual gearboxes registered and 12 SORN

We purchased the car a couple of years ago from a house clearance specialist who acquired it from the original owner’s estate. He put some new tires on it and parked it up outside his business and there it sat for a couple of years until we bought it. We had it trailered home and then set about recommissioning. During our ownership we have carried out the following jobs

Replace exhaust system
Clean fuel tank
New fuel pump
New fuel injectors
Replace alternator
New spark plugs and HT leads
New Fan belt

It has flown through the last 2 MOTs since then. MOT’d until the end of April 2025

Unfortunately there wasn’t much in the way of paperwork that came with the car but it does have the original owners manual and service history. The last service stamp is in 1987 at 54, 000 miles. There is also an old tax disc from 1999 which I can only assume was when it was last used before being taken off the road. It still retains the original dealer sticker in the rear window and has the original dealer issued number plates. This are not in the best condition but there are companies that can make replicas in the correct font and dealer logos. Also present is the original tool kit

The bodywork is solid and the paintwork is presentable with an aged patina. Personally I think this adds to the charm of the vehicle and shows it to be a true survivor. Apart from giving it a clean I have not tried to do anything to the paint, I prefer to show it in its original condition. The worst of the paintwork is on the bonnet. I think it must have been left with a blank over the bonnet as this has caused the paint to sweat

We think the car was originally bought as a tow car as it has a tow bar fitted and has the optional self levelling suspension system for the rear wheel

This is a really lovely car and a dream to drive. Could do with a little fettling to make perfect. Unfortunately as much as I love this car I do not have the time to use it as much as I would like. I have other toys and projects that need my attention and it seems wrong for it not to be used and loved. It needs to go to a new owner who can appreciate it for the fantastic car that it is

More pictures and information available on request