Maroon: is there a better colour for a barge?
If you're anything like me, you'll regularly dream of getting involved in Police Camera Action-style high-speed pursuits (from behind the wheel of the cop car, of course).
If that's the case, then this week's Shed ought to have you weak at the knees with excitement. And even if you don't harbour any secret traffic cop fantasies, this Vauxhall Senator still has plenty going for it, because this big ol' beast was the early 90s weapon of choice for the boys in blue with good reason.
This 3.0-litre 24-valve model, with its 201bhp, 195lb ft straight six, could give a contemporary BMW 530i a run for its money on the motorway or autobahn, and wouldn't be left too far behind on a twisty road, despite being based on a stretched version of the humble Vauxhall Carlton.
Cheese-cutter grille screams 'move over'
Inside it comfortably trumped the 5-series, with more space, squishy leather seats, much more standard kit and a fantastic digital dash readout.
Another thing that made them popular police cars was bulletproof mechanical reliability - that big straight six is capable of truly stratospheric mileages. The Sen's electrics can be a bit more fickle, however, especially the electric rear windows and (sadly) that digital dash.
This J-plate maroon beauty hasn't done huge miles (160k), so it's unlikely to have been a CID special, and appears to have a decent service history. The seller does mention a spot of rust on the rear arches and it has been in storage for a couple of years, but the car has a 12-month ticket and new rear exhaust sections.
As an £800 barge with a decent turn of speed, we can't think of a better way to play at being Plod.
Advert is reproduced below:
Senator CD 24v auto, £800
I have a J plate senator 3.0 24v CD auto for sale
leather heated seats and all the usual extras
the car is in std condition.. with a documented service history.
small amount of rust at the front of the rear wheel arches and thats about it.
tape player and 10 disk changer in the boot.
nearly new tyres and both rear exhaust sections are new
came off the road and in 07 after a full service and was dry stored.
Just under 160k miles very good condition for its age,
Located in Woodbridge, Suffolk
 What has been kept in that seat pocket? |
 They don't make engine bays like this any more |
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