The AWD Audi S4 V8 Transplant has increased this British classic Vauxhall from 60 to 339 hp.

Post-war British cars were not known for their fiery characteristics. The 1961 E-type may have been able to accelerate to 150 mph (241 km / h) with a little careful “preparation” from the Jag before being sent to magazines such as Autocar, but conventional cars such as the Vauxhall Victor sedan were struggling to go half as fast.

But not this one. Thanks to a comprehensive transmission transfer from the 2004 Audi S4, it is likely that this Victor will leave E-type hook from the lights, and be good for it at the top, too, given the Audi’s limited maximum donor speed of 155 mph (250 km / h).

The origins of the design can be traced back to 1994, when British Vauxhall supporter Paul Martin stumbled upon an old Victor body case that had been stored in a barn since the 1960s after the owner’s plans to build a rally car ended. But it was another 19 years before Martin turned it into the car it is now.

First, there was a transformation of the two-door body before the Audi chassis was transplanted. This transplant included The 4.2-liter V8 S4 with 339 hp. (344 hp). and Tiptronic’s six-speed automatic transmission and represents a significant improvement over the 1.6-liter in-line 4-speed Victor of that era. Vauxhall rated them at 69 hp. (70 hp), but this was measured with a more generous power system, which means that the actual power was more like 60 hp. (61 hp).

Related: Meet the Audi A4 Allroad, which has become the S4 Avant

Martin swapped the entire loom, which means that almost all the amenities available on the Audi donor appear on the 1960s sedan, including four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, ESP, central locking, air conditioning, heated seats and electrically adjustable and paddle. switches for automatic transmission. Victor even has an OBD S4 diagnostic port, which means you can theoretically order it from an Audi dealer for service.

The The S4 was a fast car at one time it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 km / h) in less than 6.0 seconds, but recent years have found that the V8 engine suffers from problems with the timing chain, and this chain is located at the rear of the engine that makes repairing the engine. Although the donor engine had just traveled just 57,000 miles, Martin wisely decided to disassemble it and install new chains and guides as a precaution.

This transformation was a home project for Martin and will not be an English breakfast for everyone. “Victor” still did not look like a very beautiful car, and the updates certainly polarize opinion. But someone obviously shared his passion because the car, which was advertised for £ 24,500 ($ 30,250), had just been sold for an undisclosed amount.

What do you think of these good restomodes that take so many functions from the donor car that there is almost nothing left of the original? Leave a comment and let us know.