Marque: Vauxhall - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Making its debut in 1976, the three-door hatchback Chevette 2300HS was developed for competition use. The newcomer was identifiable by its wide (6J) Vega sports wheels, deep front airdam, rear spoiler and comprehensive instrumentation. Powering the beast was a hot 16-valve, double overhead camshaft development of that trusty 2.3 litre engine, giving excellent pace (top speed of over 115 mph, h aving passed 60 mph from rest in a little over eight seconds). The ultra-rare HSR version was produced between 1979 and 1981; just 50 were built, of which 34 were modified for rallying by Blydenstein Racing. The HSRs featured wider (7 inch) wheels and glass fibre bonnet/ wings/side skirts. Beware of ‘fake’ HSRs; talk to the ‘Droop Snoot Group’ – this enthusiastic organisation runs its ow n authentication scheme.These rare, fascinating and highly competent sporting classics have a huge amount to offer. Your biggest problem is finding one that’s up for sale…

This is one of the rarest and most ‘desirable’ classic Vauxhalls; just 196 were built. The Mag n u m S p o r t s h atch was introduced in 1976 and was a strictly limited edition machine, featuring a ‘Droop Snoot’ nosecone and Cibié headlamps. The car employed the stylish three door, M agnum estate-like hatchback body, and was equipped with alloy Avon safety wheels and tartan interior trim. The model was originally powered by a stock bhp Magnum 2.3 litre engine (but m a ny examples have been modified). Even in standard form, the Sportshat c h models were good performers, with a top speed capability of over 100 mph, and 60 mph appearing from rest in around 10 seconds; they are enjoyably rapid to drive thanks to their lorry load of torque. Survivors are scarce but even so, are not usually expensive, and a S p o r t s h atch will give you a great deal of interesting classic motor car for your money. You try finding one…

The PB Series Velox and Cresta models of October 1962 had b o dywork which was totally different from that of the PA they replaced. Indeed the PB’s styling was similar to t h at of the FB Victor, creating a Vauxhall ‘family’ look (it sh ared the same doors).The new Velox models were powered by a 2651cc six engine, driving via a three speed allsynchromesh gearbox (options included overdrive and ‘ Hydra- Matic’ a u t o m atic transmission). S e rv o - assisted brakes, with discs at the front, were standard equipment. Buyers of the higher specificat i o n Cresta variant could enjoy leat h e r u p h o l s t e ry, fog lamps, reversing lamps and a host of other ‘built-in’ items. The PB range was modernised in lat e 1964, and lustier 3.3-litre engines were then employed.These tough, large saloons provide comfort and speed, plus excellent boot space. Sadly there are few sur vivors today. Structural rust can be a major issue on neglected examples.

Too often despised by classic car snobs the sporting Vauxhall Novas deserve a better fate. In 1983 the Nova 1.3 SR was more than a match for the likes of the MG Metro 1300 and the Ford Fiesta S but for many Vauxhall enthusiasts the ultimate Nova was the GTE. Launched in 1987, the 1.6i unit produced a creditable 101bhp and a well preserved GTE is a genuine example of a cult car. Even if the Nova GTE is now associated with chavs in the public mind, this may not prove fatal to anyone looking for a well preserved GTE as the chavs seem to rate the 1.2 Merit version for some strange reason…

With bodywork based on thatof the Victor FD but with the lusty Cresta engine under the bonnet, the luxurious Ventora was introduced early in 1968. Giving effortless performance these spacious family cars were noted for the manner in which they could glide along (also the rate at which the fuel gauge needle would drop, if the vehicle was driven hard!). Standard features included full carpeting, ‘individual’ seat s , front disc brakes, and an alternat o r. Especially useful estate versions ( incorporating a stylish, 60 cu.ft. Capacity load compartment) with the Ventora engine were introduced in May 1968 and designated Victor 3300. In Fe b r u a ry 1972, revised Ventora saloons were introduced (please also see our separate section on the Victor FE and derivatives); new estate versions arrived in late 1973. Sadly minimal development of that old engine meant the 2.3 OHC Victor engine was as lively and the Ventora was killed off in 1976 to make way for the new VX2300. But this impressive Vauxhall has always been an excellent long distance cruiser, and are still ideally suited to this type of work – if you can withstand the high fuelcosts that is.

The original F Series Victor was another past Stateside GM design, modified for our needs. Radically different in styling terms, compared with the F series Victor, the new FB Victor of 1961 was Vauxhall’s attractive contender in the hotly-contested midrange family saloon market of the time. Initially the Victors were powered by Vauxhall’s tough 1508cc engine, driving through a three-speed, column change gearbox (four-speed, floor change transmission was optional at last). However in 1963 the engine capacity was increased to 1595 cc. For drivers seeking family-sized passenger accommodation but rather more performance than the standard models, Vauxhall offered a more powerful, twin carburettor model, designated VX 4/90. This version was comprehensively equipped for the time, and considerably faster than normal Victors (featuring twin Zenith carburettors, ally head, uprated suspension and front disc brakes). With 44 per cent more pep, VX4/90 versions are fun to drive.

Vauxhall’s answer to the Cortina GT was a bit of a hotch-potch. Nicely trimmed it never boasted real GT performance yet the FC series VX 4/90 of 1964-67 featured a limited slip differential to tame those 85 horses! The model reappeared in ’69 with the 112bhp Viva GT engine and standard overdrive. Again, even though the RD VX4/90 was a good car, it lacked the class of the Cortina 1600E. The FE was initially a disappointment being no faster than the Victor and it was only the last of the liners made up to 1978 (with a five speed ‘box taken from the Droopsnoot) when the badge finally came good. That said, they are still worth a good look at.

In its time the Victor FD (launched in the autumn of 1967) was considered to be highly innovative, for it was the first mass produced, medium-priced family car to be fitted with a belt-driven overhead camshaft engine and to e m p l oy sexy ‘Coke bottle’ styling. Standard features included rack and pinion steering, plus front disc brakes. The car was ‘ state of the art’ in terms of safety feat u r e s , and was awarded the Don Safety Trophy in 1968. All versions were decent performers, and the mildly uprated, twin carburettor VX 4/90 was capable of 100 mph at a push.The FD models g ave way to the new FE Vauxhalls in 1976 and were one of the last of the true Vauxhalls.These roomy and, comfortable family cars are scarce yet still under- rated. They have a great deal to offer in terms of cl a s s i c styling, good performance and (if properly cared for) good long-term reliability. A dedicated owner’s cl u b has recently been launched.

February 1972 saw the arrival of the stylish ‘ Transcontinental’ FE Vauxhalls, which still managed to i n c o r p o r ateinto the body design vestigial flutes along the bonnet sides, as with earlier models. The new Victors used a chasis shared by the Opel Record. Especially interesting are the six-cylinder Ventora saloon/Victor 3300 estat e , also (from late 1 977), the sporty, five-speed 490 (having a revised designat i o n , now), with a standard-fit front airdam. Overhead camshaft, ‘slant’ four cylinder engines from the FD were upped to 1.8 and 2.3 litre but the old US straight six motor was employed in the mile-eating range topper Ventora/ Victor 3300 models.The FEs were discontinued in 1978. The now rare surviving examples are loved by enthusiasts for their bold styling, impressive performance and comfort.

Derived from the HB and further improved, the HC Viva was an effective, roomy saloon, available in two and four door versions, as well as a particularly stylish estat e . Design objectives for the HC included ‘refinement and reliability’; at the same time the newcomers had to be pleasant to drive and spacious. These aims were mostly achieved…Interesting variants on the Viva theme include the fastback Firenza coupé (1971 to 1973) and the upper crust Magnum (from 1973).The ‘mainstream’ HC Vivas were powered by the same overhead valve engine, initially the 1159cc but with larger valves, then 1256cc. Overhead camshaft units of 1599cc, 1759cc and 2279cc were also offered, providing impressive performance. The Viva survived in production until 1979, by which time the Chevette was selling well and the new front-drive Astra was just around the corner. The HC Vivas are easy to own and inexpensive to run but is the least liked in classic circl e s .

Longer and wider than their ‘ L’ model predecessors, the new ‘E’ model Vauxhalls (based upon a ‘49 Chevrolet) arrived in the summer of 1951. Buyers for whom a four- cylinder engine was adequate were catered for by the new, 1.4 Wyvern, while those preferring smooth six pot motoring could instead opt for the 2.3 litre Velox . All the new Vauxhalls were full six-sea ter saloons. More powerful short stroke engines were employed from the spring of 1952. A new, range-topping variant was introduced in October 1954; the Cresta featured leather trim, two- tone paintwork, whitewall tyres and a host of ‘upmarket’ features. The ‘E’ models were discontinued in 1957, by which time the new ‘F’ Series Victor and the swish ‘ PA’ models were ready to make their debut. The ‘E’ models are extremely scarce today; survivors are increasingly sought-after. Body and chassis rot can be extensive to put it mildly but they are lovely cruisers.

Arriving on the British motoring scene in 1975, Va u x h a l l ’s new Chevette was a worthy contender in the small family car market.With thoroughly up-to-date styling, yet retaining the ‘ traditional’ rear wheel drive mechanical layout of the proven HC Viva (now mixed with Opel Kadett), the Chevette felt far more modern to drive than its predecessors (and indeed most of its rivals), and set new standards in its class for handling( if not ride). The Chevette was produced until 1984, and was sold in saloon, h atchback and estate forms. The overhead valve 1256cc engine produced lively performance for the time, and was very easy on fuel. The often overlooked Chevettes make excellent starter classics and are generally inexpensive to buy. A major plus point of ownership is that they are exceptionally easy to maintain. Chevettes are becoming scarce, but asking prices are still (usually) affordable, even for top models. condition examples.