Vauxhall Chevette 1977

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. , Widely regarded as one of the most historically significant examples of the Vauxhall Chevette HS, this remarkable car is believed to be the very first HS built at Luton in late 1977. Crucially, it served as both a Vauxhall Press and Fleet Department car prior to the main production run in 1978, making it a landmark vehicle in the model’s development and public launch. Vauxhall retained the car from new until September 1980, during which time it was used extensively by PR and Press teams. A letter from Vauxhall’s PR Department on file confirms its status, signed by an individual who drove it in period. It appeared in early publicity material and is featured in Graham Robson’s book Vauxhall Chevette HS and HSR, a copy of the book accompanies the car. After leaving Vauxhall, it passed through several owners until 1987, before remaining with two long term custodians until it joined a private collection in 2024. The mileage is well documented - 27,524 miles in 1983, 32,750 miles in 1985, 49,787 miles in 1987 and 57,828 miles in 1988. It was taken off the road for 28 years and later re-emerged showing 63,154 miles. A full bare metal restoration was carried out using genuine Vauxhall panels where required, and the car was refinished in its original Silver Metallic. Importantly, it retains almost all of the rare early production features seen only on the first cars, including Sundym glass, a silver front panel, black rear panel, early-style decals and badges, original VEGA wheels with flat washer receptors and no door mirrors. A new Pilkington windscreen and correct rubber seals were fitted, and the finish presents very well with only minor blemishes noted. The interior remains largely original with factory tartan trim, carpets and fittings, and only minimal professional repairs to preserve authenticity. The correct black headlining, visors and gauges are present. The running gear was fully stripped and rebuilt, with refurbished suspension, brakes, axle, steering and five new tyres. The gearbox was inspected and rebuilt to the correct GTE-specification with an uprated torque tube. The original 2.3-litre slant-four engine was rebuilt by respected specialists Noble Mellows Engineering, enlarged to the correct 2.4-litre homologated specification used in period rally cars, fully balanced, and dyno tested at 200bhp. Supplied with period invoices, numerous recent restoration and a period letter from Vauxhall, this is the first ever HS Chevette – ex-Press, ex-fleet, beautifully restored and rich in provenance.