Highlights

Truly incredible condition throughout
£1000s worth of rare spares included
Desirable 24-valve 3.0 Dual Ram engine
Extensive service history

The Appeal

The Vauxhall Senator is one of those cars that seems to have slipped away into the pages of history. Ironic, really, given just how important it was for Vauxhall. It was a flagship vehicle, one that saw Luton glove up against the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and while it might have been a Vauxhall, it could knock the others about with some gusto. Big, comfortable, fast and dripping with equipment, it was the ultimate in business class travel. It was also a firm favourite with the Police, thanks to its outright speed.

This 1991 Senator 3.0CD is an incredible find. It has plenty of miles under its belt, but it has been cared for in a way that would make some Bentleys envious. It’s been kept standard, too, so stands as a wheeled step back in time. It’s glorious, it’s still comfortable, it’s still fast and now it has the intoxicating flavour of rarity surrounding it. Ignore the mileage, it’s moot. This Senator is one of the best that still exists. If you want one, it’s this one. Trust us.

The History and Paperwork

Just four owners from new
Incredibly well maintained
12 months MOT as of 6th May

With just four owners to its name, this 1991 Vauxhall Senator 3.0CD has been used as its designers would have hoped. We’ll get right in there and point out that the odometer reads 216k, but only a fool would let that put them off. The current owner has barely used the car, keeping it serviced and MOTd, and used for the occasional show. The owners before that have lavished unending care and attention upon it, leaving it wanting for nothing. As such, it is in exceptional condition. Honestly, if we were told this car had 50k on the clock, we’d believe it. It’s that clean and tidy.

The paperwork has everything you need. Service books, the owner handbook, invoices for past services, repairs and upkeep and of course, a selection of past MOTs. Speaking of which, the car will be sold with a fresh test on completion of sale. There is even a hand-written journal of fuel and mileage. The current owner is still smitten, but life and a small collection of other cars have forced his hand into selling. In doing so, it presents an incredible opportunity to acquire a genuinely special car.

The Spares

It’s not uncommon for a classic car to come with a small selection of parts. In the case of this Senator though, the parts are worth talking about, because there is a staggering collection to go with the new owner. You’re going to need a trailer or small van, because it won’t all fit in the car. From small stuff to a complete new old stock exhaust system, you’ve got everything you need to keep this car on the road for years to come. Parts include, but are not limited to:

Timing chain tensioner kit with instruction vhs
ECUs
Interior switches
Interior trim
Digital dashboards
Headrests
Bumper chrome trims
Starter motor
Cylinder head gasket
A huge number of assorted miscellaneous Senator B parts
Brake shields
Engine belts
Full exhaust system

The Interior

Black leather throughout, all excellent
Fully original, including rare stereo setup
Exceptional condition throughout

Slide into the impossibly comfortable leather seat and you’re greeted by a subtle, but well-appointed cabin. The dash is typical ‘90s era Vauxhall, and has stood the test of time. Nothing seems to be worn or damaged, and it all looks fresh. In the centre console, you’ll find a double bank of entertainment in the form of a period correct Blaupunkt memphis tape deck with a secondary Blaupunkt CD player below. Furthermore, you have controls for the JVC CD multichanger in the boot.

The seats themselves are all in excellent condition and in no way suggest the car has done north of 200k. The carpets are excellent, too. As are the Vauxhall mats, which have been protected by a second set for years. The door cards are all excellent, and all the leather and cloth elements look as good today as they did 29 years ago. All the electrics work as they should, and there is even a Nokia phone cradle fitted for that final ‘business’ flourish. It’s just a glorious place to be. Comfortable, spacious and in outstanding condition.

Of course, being a car nudging thirty, there are some things to be aware of. The headlining in the back has started to fall due to the glue degrading. Also, the odometer has stopped working. The speed element still functions, but not the trip or mileage. This happened a couple of years ago. However, the car has done approx. 70 miles since. The owner believes a gear has failed in the mechanism. Finally, the fans work, but the AC will need investigation.

The Exterior

Outstanding metallic black paintwork
Rock solid rear arches and sills
Immaculate lattice alloy wheels

Drink it in. A sea of glossy metallic black free from any rust or evidence of neglect is what will greet you. The panels are all excellent, the panel gaps exceptional and even the rear arches are immaculate. The former is the result of care, the latter is the result of repairs being carried out in the past to a very high standard. If you know these cars, you know they have a propensity for corrosion in the arches. No such worries here.

All the glass is original and in good order, the rubbers, too. The badges are all present and correct, and the four ‘lattice’ style alloy wheels are all mint and wear healthy rubber. All the lights are in good order, too. It’s a very, very well cared for car. As you pore over the pictures, you’ll be in amazement given the mileage this car has happily covered.

Of course, it’s had a life and so there are some small marks on the nose, and there is a small area of failing lacquer on the boot-lid (pictured) as a consequence of what appears to be a bird deposit. That’s about it, though. The most recent MOT suggested the door handle mechanism had deteriorated, but it felt fine to us and functioned as it should.

The Mechanics

Silky smooth 3.0 straight six
Sought after 24V 'dual ram' engine
Automatic transmission with sport function
Regularly serviced despite minimal use
More akin to a 20k mile car than 200k

The big 3.0 ‘dual ram’ straight-six engine fires up without a whisper of hesitation, and sounds strong as it builds through the rev range. And bidders should note that this is the much more sought after 24-valve version of the straight-six, not the more common 12v. The engine bay is pleasingly original, and is clean and tidy, too. This is a car you could exhibit right away. There are no noises or grumbles from the engine, the fluids are all topped up and look healthy and the engine itself gets to temperature with ease, and holds it without question.

Thanks to meticulous upkeep, the big Senator still feels tight, the suspension supple but not too wallowy, and the gear change is reliable, sharp and engages kickdown when required. The current owner has had very little use out of the car, having bought it simply because he couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to have a car so well cared for. He has still kept it MOTd every year though, and serviced too. And as such, the car has just passed (6th May) another MOT.

The underside of the car again looks more like a car with 50k on it than 200k. There is some surface corrosion, but nothing of any concern. The brake lines have been protected from corrosion, while the floors and so on all look solid, too. There was an advisory on the last test for a slightly worn bush on the nearside strut, but it was just that, an advisory. Nothing for a car that’s effectively driven around the world eight times.

Summary

An incredible survivor and a bastion for what looking after a car properly can do for its longevity, this Vauxhall Senator is a remarkable find. As comfy and luxurious today as it was in 1991, it’s now a rare sight on our roads. It’s a terrible shame that so many have gone the way of the scrap yard, but their demise makes finding cars like this one all the more exciting.

Plus, it has enviable levels of rarity on its side now. It’s a reminder of the ‘business class’ race of the ‘90s, a luxury land barge that still cuts a dash, that still packs a punch and that still has many, many miles of driving left to give.

Notice to bidders

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