1980 VAUXHALL ROYALE COUPE

This Vauxhall Royale is a smartly presented example of the marque’s now very rare executive coupe from the late 1970s and early 1980s, benefiting from a sympathetic restoration. Under the bonnet is a 2.8-litre carburettor-fed straight-six, producing up to 140bhp when new, mated to a three-speed automatic gearbox. The odometer reads 70,110 miles.

This Royale – the name used in UK marketing for the Opel Monza A1 – was first registered on 1 August 1980. Interestingly, it was first used as a company car for Mr A.J. Laker, the general managing director of engineering business GKN Fasteners.

The current owner has had the vehicle for the last year, after purchasing it in 2019 with the intention to use it for classic car regularity rallies. He later decided against this once he realised how rare the car was, choosing instead to keep its restored condition carefully preserved. The vendor reports that the car runs and drives very well indeed, with no rattles or squeaks.

A comprehensive refurbishment was carried out between 2002 and 2010 by a previous owner – a renowned Jaguar restorer – during which much of the car was renewed with OE parts or thoroughly serviced and reconditioned. Every stage of the process was documented in the car’s history file, and a report by him is included in the photo gallery below. Between 2010 and 2019, the car was part of a static collection of classic Vauxhalls.

The report from the restoration states that two new OEM front wings and a bonnet were acquired and fitted, but no repair work was required to the main body shell, which had been stripped and sanded, before being repainted in the original Aquamarine Blue. The restorer also noted that the floors were found to be in “A1 condition”.

Vauxhalls of this era are notorious for their traditionally poor rust protection, so during the painstaking cosmetic restoration process, the lower seams of the tailgate were opened up to ensure they were not rusty between the frame and skin, before being cleaned and refinished, and folded back into place. The door panels and lower seals were also opened up, cleaned and painted for the same reason. This example survives is remarkably good cosmetic condition, belying its 40 years of age. During the restoration, transmission oil was sprayed into the cavities to further help to preserve the metalwork.

Today, the Royale presents elegantly in Aquamarine Blue paint, with no stone chipping to the slanted front end. There are a few minor blemishes around the body, which are shown in the photo gallery below. It retains its period-correct badging and headlamp wipers, all of which presents in good order.

The chrome-trimmed front and rear bumpers and side moulding rub strips were replaced and now look pristine, while the glass is in similarly pleasing condition. This elegant coupe retains its original 14-inch ‘Ronal by GM’ alloy wheels, which are in good condition following refurbishment, and have no kerbing marks.

The Vauxhall’s attractive exterior hue is mirrored by the interior, where it is upholstered in period-perfect blue crushed velour. The vendor states that the seat fabric is original to the car, and that today there is just a small rip in the driver’s seat backing. Otherwise, the velour presents in genuinely superb condition. The switchgear and dashboard fixtures present well with no obvious damage, and the car even retains its original Radiomobile stereo system. It has a factory-fitted sunroof, which the vendor notes is tight to open and close – so may be best left shut. The fuel gauge and water temperature gauge are faulty, but the other instruments are currently working as they should.

As this Royale was in a static collection between 2010 and 2019, it would benefit from a fresh service before being used on the road. The most recent MOT test was carried out on 30 October 2020 at 70,110 miles, which resulted in only one advisory about a minor oil leak, after a brake calliper was secured correctly.

The Royale wears matching Toyo tyres all round, which are in good condition with ample tread, but which are now more than 10 years old so may benefit from replacement due to their age.

Accompanying the car is a detailed, three-page document outlining the exact work carried out during the restoration process by the owner in the early 2000s. In addition, there is a file packed with previous history and MOT certificates – providing an excellent record of the stated mileage – as well as a box containing the workshop manuals.

This Vauxhall Royale Coupe is an exceptionally smart executive tourer, presented with an excellent history file, and benefiting from a detailed and very well-documented restoration. It would make a fine addition to any collection of modern British classics, and given its rarity and remarkable condition, it also deserves to be seen and enjoyed at local and national car shows.

MOT certificates on file:

• 21.7.83 – 26,059 miles
• 25.7.84 – 33,889 miles
• 8.7.85 – 37,814 miles
• 27.6.86 – 40,881 miles
• 20.7.87 – 44,491 miles
• 25.1.89 – 45,620 miles
• 23.2.90 – 46,315 miles
• 15.1.92 – 49,525 miles
• 5.8.93 – 61,369 miles
• 3.1.95 – 65,928 miles
• 20.3.96 – 66,651 miles
• 15.2.97 – 66,730 miles
• 12.2.98 – 67,100 miles
• 13.7.99 – 67,123 miles
• 30.6.00 – 67,718 miles
• 25.6.01 – 68,728 miles
• 2002-2010 – In Guernsey being restored (where there is no MOT test)
• 2010-2019 – In a large Vauxhall heritage collection in South Wales
• 5.8.10 – 70,085 miles
• 4.11.19 – 70,085 miles
• 30.10.20 – 70,110 miles

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