OPEL SENATOR 3.0E CD 1983 40,200 Miles Superb Condition Classic Luxury Saloon Vauxhall/Opel For Sale

 OPEL SENATOR 3.0E CD

Description

Note: all except first photo were taken in 2009.

Are you looking for a classic saloon to enjoy driving, caring for and to exhibit at car shows?

Here is a superb example of this now rare luxury saloon car, which dates from the period when Opel and Vauxhall competed with each other for UK sales, with essentially the same models.  As of October 2011 there were only nine examples still taxed and tested, with another 25 on SORN. Of those nine, eight are the same year of registration as this one (1983) with two on SORN. This car must be the best of them unless there is an even lower mileage, better condition Senator hidden away somewhere.

The Vauxhall version of this car is also rare, with only 23 T & T as of June 2011. This car was purchased from us by the late enthusiast owner in September 2007. He then commissioned us to rectify any problems and embarked on a two-year process of improvements. This included:

Nov 2009 Wax treatment to underside and doors, air conditioning re-charge, new fuel hoses, general service, re-seal scuttle area to eliminate a small water leak into cabin (degraded seal at an air vent).

Jan 2010 Refurbished rear suspension trailing arms sandblasted, new spring seats welded on, then primed and repainted with new rear wheel bearings.

March 2010 Bodywork restoration to rear sills, wheelarches and low rear quarters, plus new exhaust parts

April 2010 Refurbished fuel injectors

I dare not tot up the total cost of the above works but it must be in the region of £5,000.

During all this time the car has covered only 2,005 miles and it now stands at 40,135 as at February 2012.

GM6 Spares Co. is a professional business established in 1994 and we do not only sell used parts, we also restore Monzas, Carltons, Senators etc to show standard. 

Condition

This car is in remarkable condition and drives like new. It is easy to see why when the Senator range was launched in late 1978 they were lauded for their ride and handling, giving Mercedes and BMW a bit of a surprise. Everything works as it should including the period stereo and the air conditioning. To clarify, this does not mean as on many eBay listings "it blows air into the cabin", it means the compressor works, it means it is full of refrigerant, it means it blows cold refrigerated air in, and it means that all the various permutations of hot/warm/cold air and ventilators work (as of January 2012). The car is difficult to fault although I noticed when I drove it last that the heated seats don't seem to work. I expect that after all these years the heated mats have broken connections in them, although it might just be a faulty relay. 

Due to the lack use while the late owner was ill, the newish tyres went flat and have been replaced with wheels and tyres from another Senator in order to pass the MOT in October 2011 (it passed without any faults). The original good condition wheels (and the tyres) come with the car but the tyres have tiny cracks in the rubber so are probably best not used. There is a small outbreak of paint degradation  on the rear LH pillar due possibly to a careless seagul. There is a patch of rust under the paint in the top rear corner of the LH wing by the A-pillar. There is a small parking dent in the rear LH quarter panel. The rear bumper has been slightly displaced due to careless parking by the late elderly owner, but it is not all that obvious. 

The front bumper was also nudged during careless parking and the black rubber bump strip needs replacing; this defect will be fixed before sale and the bumper refitted correctly. I am not aware of any other faults or blemishes of any significance.  Were I not already the owner of a low mileage Opel Monza and a couple of customer courtesy cars I would keep this beautiful Senator for myself, but I have learned that being greedy with classic cars leads to one or other of them being neglected. So this example is looking for an enthusiast owner who will try to preserve it for posterity.

For a video walk around of this car please see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8pAoPTKWyo

This video shows the car just after we received it in October 2011, without any valeting, so the engine bay is not as sparkly clean as it once was.

Please email me Derek@GM6Spares.fsnet.co.uk for photographs of any areas of the car that you want to see in closer detail. I can also send a CD of photographs of the car showing all the work that we carried out.

Specification includes air conditioning, 3-speed auto gearbox, 3.0-litre 177 bhp injected straight-six engine, disc brakes all round, electric windows, heated mirrors, central locking, electric sunroof, tilt steering wheel, heated velour front seats with height adjustment. Original Philips stereo cassette. Were it not for not wanting to pile on the miles, I would use this to visit my relatives in Essex (800 mile round trip) without a moment's thought. With a top speed of 128 mph it is easily capable of keeping up with modern traffic and is a joy to drive.

Remarks

This car is located near Penzance, Cornwall and can be viewed at any time by appointment, including evenings and weekends. All offers will be considered and I am willing to haggle, just email me on Derek@GM6Spares.fsnet.co.uk

Note that if a new owner wishes us to continue with ongoing maintenance and improvements, we will be happy to oblige. We will also renew the MOT so that the buyer has a 12-month ticket, but it will need road tax.