Fleet of 1999 Van Diemen FVJ's coming to market

[CSprague]

Hello all.

We will soon be listing 15 1999 Van Diemen FVJ cars for sale, along with a considerable supply of parts, including a spare engine and gearbox. These cars are all in the US, all in excellent condition, and have been stored (properly pickled) since 2006. All cars were used (very gently) in a racing "experience" program, limited to 4500 rpm, and have between 290 and 950 hours on them. All have been constantly maintained to professional standards, and logbooks are available.

Four of these cars have wider chassis that were custom-made for us by Vauxhall, so there is hope for the more generously-proportioned of you out there. (The original standard chassis and bodywork are still available for these cars as well.) All cars also carry easily-removable cosmetic front and rear wings.

I have some checking to do, but believe that these are 1600 16valve cars.

Is there likely to be any market for these cars in the US, or should we explore a mass return of them to the UK?

Any estimates on market value would be greatly appreciated.

[kfyork]

Mr. Sprague, I've sent an email to you.

[driftwood]

i assume thes eare the vauxhall F junior cars we had in Uk from 89-96 ish racing as part of the Uk Vauxhall motor sport programme?
over here cars have no series to race in cars are 3-4k ish and 1 or 2 cars have raced in the monoposto series but most guys who want to race will buy Fford for 3 4 5 6k and can race every 2nd weekend some where in FFord or mono series

In their day the racing was good but once Vauxhall pulled out of backing the FVL and FVJ series they became club cars and ideal as school cars

[Triple J Motorsport]

Kevan 8v cars run in Mono1600 and 16v cars run in Mono1800 assume they can run SEMSEC too?

[andy97]

I ran an FVJ 16Vin F4 a few times as well but Monoposto in Mono 1600 (FVJ 8v) & Mono 1800 (FVJ 16V) is probably the best home for these, unless one of the smaller race chools like Everyman at Mallory Park wants them as a package. There are a few running in both classes. Prices for cars when they come to the market are not high. I sold mine for £4500, I think, about 4 years ago.

[driftwood]

yes FVJ can run at semsec libre events but personally it would be better to buy FF1600 for the cost of a FVJ car allows you more places to race
but ideal school cars for someone

[andy97]

One thing that should be borne in mind is that the Vauxhall/ Isuzu 1600 16 V engine is way better than the Ford Zetec or Kent engines, but I accept that F Ford 1600 has a special place in the heart of many!

[driftwood]

Vauxhall maybe better motor but its a no brainer to spend £3-5k on a 87 88 Fford to race over 87-90 FVJ car at same value when Fford races are at least once a fortnight somewhere and 10-20 car grids what can FVJ do? once a month at best and its a Billy no mates car iin the race with other different cars classes

[Triple J Motorsport]

Hopefully Mono1800 & Mono1600 will have there own grid next year so possible for outright win, if you believe these engines are better...

A FFZetec is the car to have cheap and lots of races no engine dramas

[CSprague]

I appreciate everyone's feedback, even if the news isn't promising. It's a shame as these are all very nice cars.
Thank you also to those who have contacted me directly; I am pursuing those leads.