The Vauxhall Magnum 2.3 was a compact sedan produced by Vauxhall, the British arm of General Motors, between 1973 and 1981. Positioned as a mainstream family car, the Magnum represented Vauxhall’s entry into the increasingly popular front-wheel-drive market segment. While not widely exported outside of the United Kingdom and Europe, the Magnum was significant for its adoption of modern engineering principles and its role in establishing Vauxhall as a competitive force in the British automotive landscape. It was essentially the British equivalent of the Opel Kadett, sharing much of its mechanical underpinnings with its German counterpart.
The Vauxhall Magnum 2.3: A British Compact
The Magnum was designed to replace the aging Vauxhall Victor and provide a more contemporary and efficient alternative. It was available with both three and five-door body styles, offering a degree of practicality for families. The 2.3-liter engine variant, producing 110 horsepower, was a popular choice, balancing performance with reasonable fuel economy for the era. The car’s design, while relatively conservative, was intended to appeal to a broad range of buyers seeking a reliable and affordable vehicle.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Vauxhall Magnum 2.3 was its 2.3-liter inline-four cylinder engine. This naturally aspirated engine, displacing 2279 cm3 (139.07 cubic inches), produced 110 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 190 Nm (140.14 lb.-ft.) of torque at 3000 rpm. The engine utilized a carburettor fuel injection system, common for the period, and featured an overhead camshaft (OHC) valvetrain. The engine’s power output translated to a power-to-weight ratio of 112.5 horsepower per tonne and a torque-to-weight ratio of 194.3 Nm per tonne, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. The front-engine, front-wheel-drive configuration contributed to improved traction and handling compared to rear-wheel-drive vehicles of the time. Power was delivered to the front wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The engine oil capacity was 4.6 liters (4.86 US quarts / 4.05 UK quarts) and required a specific oil specification (details not provided in the source data). The cooling system held 8 liters (8.45 US quarts / 7.04 UK quarts) of coolant.
Design & Features
The Vauxhall Magnum 2.3 was a conventional sedan, available with either two or four doors, offering seating for five passengers. Its design was characterized by clean lines and a relatively boxy silhouette, typical of automotive styling in the 1970s. The car’s interior was functional and focused on practicality, with durable materials and a straightforward layout. Safety features, while limited by the standards of the time, included disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear. The steering system employed a steering rack and pinion, providing responsive and precise handling. The Magnum’s dimensions – 4153 mm (163.5 inches) in length, 1643 mm (64.69 inches) in width, and 1331 mm (52.4 inches) in height – positioned it as a compact family car. The wheelbase measured 2461 mm (96.89 inches), and the front and rear tracks were 1321 mm (52.01 inches) and 1308 mm (51.5 inches) respectively. Ground clearance was a modest 144 mm (5.67 inches). The fuel tank capacity was a substantial 54 liters (14.27 US gallons / 11.88 UK gallons), providing a reasonable driving range.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Vauxhall |
| Model | Magnum |
| Generation | Magnum |
| Type (Engine) | 2.3 (110 Hp) |
| Start of production | 1973 |
| End of production | 1981 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Sedan |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 2-4 |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 8.9 kg/Hp |
| Hp/tonne | 112.5 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 5.1 kg/Nm |
| Nm/tonne | 194.3 Nm/tonne |
| Power | 110 Hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 48.3 Hp/l |
| Torque | 190 Nm @ 3000 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 140.14 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine displacement | 2279 cm3 |
| Engine displacement (cu. in.) | 139.07 cu. in. |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 97.54 mm |
| Cylinder Bore (in.) | 3.84 in. |
| Piston Stroke | 76.2 mm |
| Piston Stroke (in.) | 3 in. |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Fuel injection system | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | OHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.6 l |
| Engine oil capacity (US qt) | 4.86 US qt |
| Engine oil capacity (UK qt) | 4.05 UK qt |
| Coolant | 8 l |
| Coolant (US qt) | 8.45 US qt |
| Coolant (UK qt) | 7.04 UK qt |
| Kerb Weight | 978/997 kg |
| Kerb Weight (lbs.) | 2156.12 lbs. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 54 l |
| Fuel tank capacity (US gal) | 14.27 US gal |
| Fuel tank capacity (UK gal) | 11.88 UK gal |
| Length | 4153 mm |
| Length (in.) | 163.5 in. |
| Width | 1643 mm |
| Width (in.) | 64.69 in. |
| Height | 1331 mm |
| Height (in.) | 52.4 in. |
| Wheelbase | 2461 mm |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 96.89 in. |
| Front track | 1321 mm |
| Front track (in.) | 52.01 in. |
| Rear track | 1308 mm |
| Rear track (in.) | 51.5 in. |
| Ride height (ground clearance) | 144 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance) (in.) | 5.67 in. |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Type of gearbox | manual transmission |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
The Vauxhall Magnum 2.3, while not a groundbreaking vehicle, played an important role in the evolution of the British automotive industry. Its adoption of front-wheel drive and relatively modern engineering made it a competitive offering in its segment, and it remains a fondly remembered car for those who owned and drove it during the 1970s.
