Three-quarters Front View of a Beige, 1963, Vauxhall Victor, on display at the Wickhambreaux Classic Car Show, 2022
The more cleanly styled FB announced 14 September 1960 ran until 1964 with a substantial improvement regarding rust protection. It was widely exported, although sales in the US ended after 1961 when Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick came up with home-grown compact models of their own, with the all-new GM "Y" platform (North America). Consequently, the FB only achieved sales of 328,000 vehicles by the time it was replaced in 1964. The body styling owed nothing to any US GM influence, the flat front and turtle-deck rear resembling some older US Fords. Mechanically, the main change was the option of a 4-speed all-synchromesh transmission with floor change but the previously used 3-speed all-synchro column change unit was still fitted as standard. The base (FBY) engine was also revised with higher compression ratio and revised manifolding increasing the power output to bhp (37 kW; 50 PS). In September 1963 the engine was enlarged from 1508 to 1594 cc, identified as the FB30.[14] The increased capacity coincided with a further increase in the compression ratio of the standard engine from :1 to :1, reflecting the continuing increase the average octane level of "premium grade" fuel (on which the Victor unit had by now standardised) offered in the UK, now to 97 (RON).[9] 1963 was also the year when front disc brakes with larger 14 in (360 mm) wheels became an option. Models with the larger engine had a revised frontal treatment with a block style grille element and revised parking lights at either lower extreme of the grille. A Vynide-covered bench front seat was standard on the base model and Super Victor but individual seats were standard on the De Luxe and optional on the lower-priced cars. Other options included a heater, fog lamps, radio, screen washers, reversing light and seat belts.
Size: 5308px × 3648px
Location: Wickhambreaux, Kent
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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