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VAUXHALL V(6)77 -
VICEROY
The General Motors V Car platform was first introduced in 1967 and underpinned the Opel Rekord C, a stretched version was used for the 6 cylinder Commodore A. The platform was then modified for use on the next generation Opel Rekord D and Commodore B which were launched in 1972, this version was also used as the platform underpinning the Vauxhall Victor FE launched in the same year. In 1977 the V Series platform was developed further and split into 3 distinct variations - the standard V-4 was the smallest platform and was used on the Vauxhall Carlton Mk1 and Opel Rekord E, the V-6 was the same from the bulkhead back but had an extended front to accommodate a straight six cylinder engine, this was used on the Vauxhall Viceroy & Opel Commodore C. Last was the V Special which was not launched until 1978 as the Opel Senator A / Monza and a little later the Vauxhall Royale Saloon & Coupe. This was significantly modified and was the longest and featured independent rear suspension. A full list of all the V Cars is listed elsewhere on vauxpedia. The Commodore C, using the V-6 platform, followed the same pattern set before and was the same as the Rekord E from the bulkhead back but featured the longer front end to accommodate the straight 6 engine in 114bhp 2.5S carburettor & fuel injected 130bhp 2.5E versions along with a slightly more luxurious version of the Rekord interior. There was no coupé version of the Commodore C offered as this market was to be filled by the Royale Coupe / Opel Monza a year later. A 2 door saloon version was briefly available in some European markets but was withdrawn due to low sales volumes, there was however an Opel Commodore Estate (Voyage). Vauxhall's Design Department had successfully modified the Opel Rekord E body with different front and rear end styling along with a unique dashboard treatment to create the Carlton. Similar changes were done with the Senator & Monza to create the Royale Saloon and Coupe, although there were no unique body panels as with the Carlton. Unlike Opel, for Vauxhall this left quite a large gap in their range between the 2 litre Carlton and the 2.8 litre Royale, it wasn't until October 1980 with the launch of the Viceroy that the gap was plugged. The Viceroy was an enigma in several ways - it continued the strange affinity Vauxhall had for naming their up market cars after hotels and even more strange was the white cross on the grille which echoed the sporty VX4/90s and the Viceroy, in terms of outright performance, was not sporty at all. It was based on the Commodore 2.5S with a Carlton style rear end, the dash housing of the Carlton but with a 4 spoke Royale steering wheel and additional instruments and the different front grille.
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL VAUXHALL VICEROY PRESS LAUNCH PHOTOGRAPHS, AS WITH ALL OF THEM ALLOY WHEEL WERE FITTED. 44120-7 30.09.80
