DO YOU REMEMBER – THE VAUXHALL VX 490 FIVE-SPEED?

The year is 1977, and this writer is poring over the latest Vauxhall brochure, a pastime almost as entertaining as The Goodies on BBC2. Suddenly, he comes across an FE even more glamorous than the VX2300 GLS. From its front air-dam and fog lamps to its black grille and Ro-style sports road wheels, the metallic silver VX 490 appeared the epitome of style.

It was also a surprising addition to Vauxhall’s line-up as the last VX 4/90 was discontinued in 1976 when the FE Victor was re-vamped as the VX. However, the Swedish Motor Show in March 1977 saw a new 490, sans slant. The car that ‘puts it all together with distinctive style’ was powered by the familiar 2.3-litre engine in twin Stromberg carburettor form, combined with a five-speed Getrag gearbox. This transmission was a first on a large Vauxhall.

Luton claimed the 490 was ‘Stylish, Roomy. Fast’ but its timing was downright peculiar. The Carlton, the VX’s replacement, was due for launch in September 1978, so why introduce an elaborate additional version of a soon to be discontinued range? Vauxhall told buyers that it added ‘new zest’ to the VX family and that they made the 490 to satisfy their Swedish customers. The actual reason was salvaging a potentially awkward situation.

In the mid-1970s, the twilight of Luton’s design independence, Vauxhall devised a fuel-injected VX/E. Costs meant the project was cancelled but not before they placed an order for a large consignment of Getrag boxes. The more conventional – and cheaper to build - 490 was the solution. Alas, it did not prove a commercial success, with a production run of just 943 examples - of which 176 went for export. Dealers also had to heavily discount the final examples before the Type Approval expired in November 1978.

And yet, the 490 had a great deal to offer the discerning motorist. Its trans-Atlantic styling may have been dated even in 1977, but it was well-appointed and at £4,474, excellent value for money. No Cortina Mk. IV or Granada Mk. II – size-wise, the VX was between the two Fords – offered five-speed transmissions while the Vauxhall was more rapid than it appeared. The official top speed was 106 mph, but the actual performance figure may have been 115 mph.

This discrepancy may have been due to Vauxhall unofficially modifying the engine. Dave Booker of the invaluable Vauxpedia website - points out the factory believed the 490’s sales figures did not justify the certification process for the more powerful motor. He also observes: “It was illegal to advertise a quoted bhp figure if the engine produced less power than stated, but not if it produced more.” The sales copy stated 116 bhp @ 5,000 rpm; Luton’s internal figures stated 125 bhp @5,400 rpm.

Today, but a handful of VX490 Five Speeds remain on the road. Had they debuted in 1972, Vauxhall would have boasted a serious rival to the Consul 3000GT. Five years later, a Big Four sports saloon with quasi-1970 Pontiac lines seemed passé to far too many motorists. But those few who did place an order gained one of the great automotive bargains of the century.

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