1935 Vauxhall Big Six BXL

This Vauxhall Big Six is a venerable survivor and had already been restored when the lady vendor’s husband acquired it in 2014. He used the car sparingly thereafter, mainly as a wedding car. Unfortunately however, it has remained unused for some time due to his ill health – hence its upcoming sale.

It will therefore require an element of re-commissioning before being ready to return to the road. The Vauxhall comes with a V5c document, as well as a number of expired MOT test certificates.

You’ll also find an invoice from classic tyre supplier, Doncaster-based Longstone Tyres, showing that it had two new 525/550x17 Lucas Tyres with 17/18E RET Michelin TR13 tubes and 14”-17” Rim Tape fitted in March 2017.

There’s no doubt that this car has presence. Whether that’s as a wedding limousine or simply as an elegant classic car. Its two-tone colour scheme brings to mind a pair of gangster’s spats, while the sweeping wings, running boards and side-mounted spare wheels (housed in elegant covers) also lend it a certain Twenties/Thirties chic.

Panel fit is good, but it’s worth noting that offside door fit is superior to the nearside (front door, in particular) – although righting that could be a simple case of adjustment. Paint remains in nice condition with the odd chip and scrape here and there. Bright work is decent, although some is a touch dull (elbow grease should bring it up) and there’s a touch of pitting here and there. The painted wire wheels remain smart, as do the chrome centre caps.

The running boards’ vinyl coverings have split ion places and are a touch faded, so could benefit from replacement to sharpen things up.

Generally the workmanship carried out on this older restoration is still lasting well. That said there are lots of little jobs that could entertain a DIY owner/restorer with as they get the car tidied up (that also applies in terms of mechanicals, as they get the car running too!).

The Big Six’s long wheelbase ensures that this is one fairly gargantuan cabin and one that’ll easily fit six people, seven at a push. The front seats are finished in brown leather with plenty of patina – in fact, there’s a bit too much patina as there’re one or two tears (particularly on the driver’s side of the front bench seat), and so some remedial work will be necessary. The fold-up mid-cabin seats are finished in matching leather but haven’t seen as much action and are therefore in superior condition. At the back, the rear seat has been finished in bright white – perfect for shepherding brides to and from the church in its last incarnation.

Under foot, the cream carpets are in good condition with a decent pile in the rear, but the front passenger side does have a large stain in situ. The wooden door capping are generally smart, but there’s a crack or two present and door cards are also finished in matching leather.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the interior is the grouped instrument cluster in the centre of the dashboard; it looks like a prop from Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Some people love ‘em, some people (motoring journos, in particular) hate ‘em. Whichever school you belong to, it’s certainly unique and without doubt a talking point.

The radiator core looks to be in sound condition and the engine bay in general presents fairly well, although the wiring could be a touch less messy (a perfect winter project?). The Big Six cylinder itself is leak-free and looks redoubtable in its original factory black.

As the car hasn’t run in a number of years we’ve refrained from firing up the power plant or taking it for a spin. It makes more sense for the next owner to carry out any necessary re-commissioning before doing so.

It has a touch of what appears to be very light surface rust on certain parts of the underside, mainly on the leaf springs but also on some of the chassis sections; however, it looks to be light enough to be dealt with by a good working with a wire brush or rotary tool. Once tidied up, a fresh coat of underseal and chassis black should prove to be just the ticket.

There’s not a huge amount in the car’s history file. As well as the aforementioned V5c, the expired MOT test certificates and the Longstone Tyres invoice (incidentally for £270.18) you’ll also find two copies of FLUTENEWS, the monthly newsletter of the Vauxhall Owners Club and a Vauxhall Owners Club (1903-1957) Vehicle Register 2011 booklet.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to a good old standard.

This Big Six has a formidable presence and would make a lovely family for pottering around on a lazy Sunday. Equally, it could continue in the guise that its last owner used it and ferry yet more lucky people to church and back. After all, it carries up to seven people, so there’d be no need for a separate car for the bridesmaids.

It’s in nice solid condition. The interior has a lovely patina in places but does need a bit of tender loving care here and there (to the odd seat rip and carpet stain), and the mechanicals need a bit of a going over (which should prove to be light) before it’s used in anger.

Given all of the above we think it’ll sell for somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000. There’s no doubt at either end that pre-war cars offer bargains aplenty in this day and age.

The next owner of this Big Six will benefit from that and gain a venerable and rare survivor of Vauxhall’s historic output.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, so to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.