Shown in Racing Red with Glaze White two tone
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Introduced in 1966: the Arion Virgo’s second generation. Improving and advancing upon all aspects of the original whilst making it more of a “people’s luxury car” icon.
A brand new monocoque chassis was built up utilising galvanisation techniques compared to the usual expensive corrosion resistant coatings. The suspension layout was changed to having a single transversely mounted leaf spring at the rear for improvements to load capacity and cargo space.
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(Left to right) Shown in Hazelnut/Glaze White two tone, Racing Red/Glaze White two tone, Aquamarine/Glaze White two tone
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The Virgo was offered in two engine trim grades: 4C & 8C. The 1.5L Inline 4 base trim was the best sold with over 3,000 units in the first year of production ordered. It came as either a 4 door saloon, 5 door estate or 4 door cabriolet. The 3.0L V8 touring/sports trim came only as a 4 door saloon with the middle rear seat taken away for more space and weight reduction.
Somewhat improved performance came with the 4C: A 0-60 time of 14.9s and top speed of just over 100mph achieved showed the first generation Virgo who’s boss now. However the 8C was no slouch in comparison: 0-60 in 6.3s and a top speed of 140mph+, it was one of the fastest 4 door saloons of it’s age in Great Britain.
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Shown in Racing Red with Glaze White two tone
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On the inside, the plush interior came with either a 3-gear automatic or much more common 4-gear manual box (with the 8C having 5-gear manual or 3-gear automatic). Air conditioning was standard, as well as the Motorola AM radio with single speaker. Ample storage is available with two key-lock closed dashboard storage areas and an open storage area in the middle too.
Jaiden Electrical provided the gauges and electrical systems within the Virgo for the first time ever, with Arion previously using their own though somewhat flawed electronics. This in turn bolstered reliability for the cars and brand too, making for a new partnership with Jaiden Electrical in the long run.
The timepiece once found only on Luxury Lane models was now standard, with the Luxury Lane namesake discontinued in the time being.
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Shown in British Racing Green with Piano Black two tone
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Arion’s 1.5L I4 was somewhat special, a “quarter” engine as it could be called. The block was derived just from the gigantic 6L V16 used to power the land yacht Arion Mythos similar to how the 3.0L V8 was a “half” engine derived from it also.
In favour of updating their older technology to new, the 8-Valve OHC top end was discarded in favour of the SOHC 8-Valve for improved efficiency and performance. An incredible 15.6mpg improvement was made over the first generation’s cast iron 2.2L inline 4.
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Shown in Sea Blue with Beige two tone
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As a whole the reception of the second generation Virgo was successful, providing leaps into new markets with the lower cost of the entry-level premium 4C, as well as providing fans of the prestigious sporty side a new desirable British brute with a fantastic V8 engine exhaust note and impressive performance to boot.
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Arion Virgo 4C Saloon {PM} '66
Chassis: Galvanised Steel Monocoque with Aluminium panels (926kg - 53F/47R)
Drivetrain: Front Longitudinal RWD
Gearbox: 4 Gear Manual or 3 Gear Automatic
Suspension: Double Wishbone front & (Single transverse) Solid Axle Leaf Spring rear Progressive suspension and Gas Mono-Tube Damping with Passive Sway Bars
Engine: Aluminium 1.5L I4 8-Valve SOHC producing 63.4hp @ 4,400RPM & 90.5lb-ft 2,700RPM with 5,000RPM redline
Economy: 38.6mpg combined (32.7mpg City and 44.4mpg Motorway)
Performance: 0-62mph in 14.9s & 95mph estimated top speed
Wheels: 14 inch Steel rims on radial medium compound (P155/90R14 91Q)
Brakes: 215mm 1 Piston Caliper Solid Disk front & 185mm SLS Drum rear
Exterior layout & Interior: 4 door saloon - Premium 5 Seater & Premium AM Radio
Price: For sale starting at 1,300GBP before paint and accessories in '66
Arion Virgo 4C Estate {PM} '66
Chassis: Galvanised Steel Monocoque with Aluminium panels (943kg - 57F/43R)
Drivetrain: Front Longitudinal RWD
Gearbox: 4 Gear Manual or 3 Gear Automatic
Suspension: Double Wishbone front & (Single transverse) Solid Axle Leaf Spring rear Progressive suspension and Gas Mono-Tube Damping with Passive Sway Bars
Engine: Aluminium 1.5L I4 8-Valve SOHC producing 63.4hp @ 4,400RPM & 90.5lb-ft 2,700RPM with 5,000RPM redline
Economy: 36.9mpg combined (31.4mpg City and 42.3mpg Motorway)
Performance: 0-62mph in 15.7s & 91mph estimated top speed
Wheels: 14 inch Steel rims on radial medium compound (P155/90R14 91A)
Brakes: 215mm 1 Piston Caliper Solid Disk front & 185mm SLS Drum rear
Exterior layout & Interior: 5 door estate - Premium 5 Seater & Premium AM Radio
Price: For sale starting at 1,350GBP before paint and accessories in '66
Arion Virgo 4C Cabriolet {PM} '66
Chassis: Galvanised Steel Monocoque with Aluminium panels (1139kg - 51F/49R)
Drivetrain: Front Longitudinal RWD
Gearbox: 4 Gear Manual or 3 Gear Automatic
Suspension: Double Wishbone front & (Single transverse) Solid Axle Leaf Spring rear Progressive suspension and Gas Mono-Tube Damping with Passive Sway Bars
Engine: Aluminium 1.5L I4 8-Valve SOHC producing 63.4hp @ 4,400RPM & 90.5lb-ft 2,700RPM with 5,000RPM redline
Economy: 35.3mpg combined (29.4mpg City and 41.1mpg Motorway)
Performance: 0-62mph in 18.2s & 95mph estimated top speed
Wheels: 14 inch Steel rims on radial medium compound (P155/90R14 91Q)
Brakes: 215mm 1 Piston Caliper Solid Disk front & 185mm SLS Drum rear
Exterior layout & Interior: 4 door manual soft top cabriolet - Premium 5 Seater & Premium AM Radio
Price: For sale starting at 1,375GBP before paint and accessories in '66
Arion Virgo 8C Saloon {PM} '66
Chassis: Galvanised Steel Monocoque with Aluminium panels (1069kg - 52F/48R)
Drivetrain: Front Longitudinal RWD
Gearbox: 5 Gear Manual or 3 Gear Automatic
Suspension: Double Wishbone front & (Single transverse) Solid Axle Leaf Spring rear Progressive suspension and Gas Mono-Tube Damping with Passive Sway Bars
Engine: Aluminium 3L V8 32-Valve DOHC producing 180.8hp @ 5,800RPM & 195.4lb-ft 3,500RPM with 6,500RPM redline
Economy: 29.4mpg combined (25.2mpg City and 33.5mpg Motorway)
Performance: 0-62mph in 6.3s & 134mph estimated top speed
Wheels: 15 inch Magnesium rims on radial sport compound (P175/70R15 92V)
Brakes: 275mm 1 Piston Caliper Solid Disk front & 245mm 1 Piston Caliper Solid Disk rear
Exterior layout & Interior: 4 door saloon - Premium 4 Seater & Premium AM Radio
Price: For sale starting at 2,410GBP before paint and accessories in '66
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Gallery
Virgo 4C
Racing Red with Glaze White two tone
Sea Blue with Beige two tone
Royal Red with Piano Black two tone
Virgo 8C
British Racing Green with Piano Black two tone
Interiors
Beige & Dark Oak (4C)
Chocolate & Birch Wood (4C)
Black & Dark Oak (8C)