Look out!
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Sir,
I think owners of 1968 model Vauxhall Victor 2000s and perhaps of later types and the Ventora) should be warned of the following very dangerous situation that can develop. When last I jacked up the o/s rear-wheel, I was horrified to see that the rear-axle was literally suspended by the flexible brake hose. It was obvious that the rear coil-spring suspension had gradually settled and weakened to such an extent that, as there are no check-straps, the weight of the axle now extends the spring well past its original free-length. As the rear-brake line is attached to the o/s of the under-body, it is in this side that the danger is most likely to be discovered, and it might well result in the brake hose being wrenched apart, leaving the unsuspecting driver to discover, too late perhaps, that he no longer has any stoppers.
As my own car has throughout its 28,000 miles travelled light, I shudder to think what risks lurk beneath more heavily loaded models in this respect. In view of their much advertised in-built safety design features on this model, perhaps Luton will have some comments to make and some excuses to offer for the lack of any check-straps or other restraining devices to prevent such potential disasters from occurring.
Meantime I’ll use my jack under the axle, treat hump-back bridges with more than usual respect and try to control the cold sweat that breaks out whenever I think of what I’ve so far been lucky enough to avoid.
Robert Peel.
East Horsley.
[The cessation of the British Postal Service made it impractical for us to submit this letter to Vauxhall Motors Ltd., but if the criticism is unjustified or if there is any comment to offer to customers we will gladly publish Vauxhall’s comments now that postmen have decided to work again.—Ed.]