1973 Austin Victoria De Luxe

Description

So, I’ve got this 1973 Austin Victoria De Luxe sitting in my garage in Knareborough, North Yorkshire — not exactly a flashy spot, but it’s been a proper character builder over the years.

It’s one of those rare ones — Spanish market version, built in ’73, based on the ADO16 platform but with that Michelotti body that gives it a real stylish edge. Not many of these were made, and I reckon this one might be one of only a handful in the UK. The interior’s in beige with velour seats — looks a bit like a retro lounge, and honestly, they’re cleaner than they should be for a 50-year-old car.

I found it in Germany back in 2022, bought by a guy from Saarbrücken who’s been keeping it well. The original Spanish inspection cards go back to ’87, and there’s a bit of paperwork from when he took it over — but no proof of that big overhaul someone mentioned online. I’ve seen the eBay ad that says it got a full service two years ago — brake pads, suspension, head gasket, all that — but no docs to back it up. Still, it runs and drives fine, which is more than I’d expect from a car this old.

The dash is a bit more modern than a regular Austin 1300, with dials and gauges — even a couple extra Smiths gauges added later for temperature and amps. The roof lining has some staining, but I think it’s from glue, not damp. The boot’s huge for a small car — honestly, you’d be surprised how much it can hold.

It’s not flashy, but it’s got charm. The wooden steering wheel and gear knob are still in place — feels like you’re driving something from a 70s film. The V5C, import docs, inspection cards, and even a little model of the car are all included.

I’m not charging much — just £0.90 — so if you’re into something a bit offbeat, and you’ve got a moment to check it out at the auction on 6th September, it’s worth a look. It’s not going to win any awards at a car show, but if you’ve got a few friends who’ve never seen a Victoria before, it’ll probably make them pause.

The auction’s at Manor Park Classics in the North West — they’ve got a proper facility with storage, viewing days, and driving videos. I’ve been there before, and it’s not a bad place to check things out.

No guarantees, obviously — it’s a classic, not a showroom piece. But if you’re into something a little unusual, and you’re not just after the shiny new model, this might just be the kind of thing you end up remembering.

Come see it if you’re around. I’ll let you know when it’s on.