Our favourite classic Vauxhalls

Vauxhall is not often spoken about as a brand that builds great cars. But as the UK’s oldest surviving car brand, with models rolling off its production line as early as 1903, its motors really stand the test of time.

Since then, Vauxhall has been producing cars continuously in Great Britain. It might come as a surprise that Vauxhall started its life as a luxury car brand, until it was acquired in 1925 by General Motors who then took the decision to switch to mid-market offerings and then mass-market cars once the Great Depression hit.

To date, Vauxhall has produced an incredible 14 million cars – and there have been some superb models along the way, many still surviving on our roads today thanks to classic car enthusiasts.

In this article we’re going to celebrate some of our favourites – from best-selling saloons and hatchbacks through to high-performance bespoke drivers’ cars.

Vauxhall Nova

What better place to start than with the nippy Vauxhall Nova, which was the manufacturer’s first proper attempt at a supermini. Arriving in 1983, it provided direct competition to the Ford Fiesta – as well as the Metro, Peugeot 205 and Renault 5 – and offered buyers plenty of choice. The Nova launched with 1.0-, 1.2- and 1.3-litre engines but the range rapidly expanded over the coming years.

Easily the most fun of the range was the sporty 1.6 for the GTEi – rebadged GSi after the 1990 facelift – which came with a new front grille and clear indicators with slimmer headlamps. Although the best-selling version was the five-door 1.2-litre Merit.

Paving the way for the incredibly successful Corsa in 1993, the Nova proved popular across a range of different target markets. Once production had finished, it became the must-have car for many young, aspiring petrolheads, with it proving to be the perfect frame – and price point – for all kinds of modifications and body kits.

At the time, if you were trying to insure a Nova, you couldn’t blame insurers for looking on with a bit of a knowing eye wondering what kind of driver would be getting behind the wheel. It’s all very different now, of course, with those petrolheads – just like the Nova – having matured. Classic car insurance is now the order of the day.

Vauxhall Cavalier

If it wasn’t for the Vauxhall Cavalier, however, there might never have been a Nova, Corsa or anything of the other models that came after.

Dubbed ‘the car that saved GM in Britain’, the Cavalier proved to be a key turning-point for Vauxhall which was starting to flag badly in the early 1970s.

Launched in 1975, it was built to knock the Ford Cortina off its perch. While it never quite managed to hit the heights of Cortina in terms of sales, it was more than a match on the road. The Cavalier had plenty of class and functionality – fitted with Opel’s four-cylinder 1.6-litre and 1.9-litre engines in a two and four-door saloon, you couldn’t fail to be impressed when behind the wheel, as reviews at the time testify.

Nearly 250,000 Mk1s found owners, which was some way short of the ever-popular Cortina. But it set the tone for the Cavalier Mk2 and Mk3 which, combined, sold a total of 1.8million units in a 20-year production run.

Vauxhall Calibra

In 1989, Vauxhall took the innards of the Mk3 Cavalier and tasked top GM designers Erhard Schnell and Wayne Cherry to come up with something inspired. The Vauxhall Calibra was born. As Classics World puts it: “The car was an exercise in restraint, with unadorned coachwork, a long nose, elegant frameless side windows and swooping roofline that would later be echoed by the notably good-looking Audi TT.”

Although the pre-existing 2.0-litre engines did a fine job, it wasn’t until 1992 that the Vauxhall Calibra would get a performance that matched its sporty looks, thanks to a turbocharged version, which took it up to 201bhp.

The turbo engine has become a classic in itself, with it still being used for conversions and kit cars. In the Calibra, it was deployed with a six-speed gearbox, which was novel for the time, and four-wheel drive. It’s no great surprise that the Calibra – particularly the Turbo version – has become a great modern-classic buy, although finding one in the condition you’d like can prove tricky today.

Vauxhall VX220

Vauxhall hasn’t been all about mid-market cars for its entire history. In 2000, it decided to shake up its range with the introduction of the VX220, a close relation to the Lotus Elise S2.

Born out of a partnership between Lotus and Vauxhall, the VX220 shared crucial parts with the Elise including the stiff, aluminium chassis tub. But, perhaps more importantly, it also had the Lotus’s glass fibre bodywork and suspension, contributing to a weight of well under a tonne.

However, Vauxhall couldn’t bring itself to drop its mainstream conservatism altogether, giving the VX220 a longer wheelbase and a wider rear track than the Elise, plus a driver’s airbag and ABS. Meanwhile, in place of the Elise’s Rover K-series engine, it fitted the Astra SRi’s 144bhp all-alloy 2.2-litre unit – combining to give a zero to 62mph time of 5.6sec.

Despite warm reviews, though, the VX220 wasn’t what you’d call a major commercial success, which many believe was down to the Vauxhall badge on the front of it. But buyers were missing an opportunity – in fact, you might argue the VX220 is all the more interesting for its mainstream manufacturer heritage.

The Turbo, released in 2003, had supercar levels of performance, with its 2.0-litre engine meaning it could crack 0-62mph in just 4.7sec. An even quicker version followed the next year: the VXR220, limited to just 60 cars, produced 216bhp for 0-62mph in 4.2sec.

If you want to get your hands on a VX220, you’ll need a fair bit of luck – there weren’t many produced, and there are even fewer remaining today. Car and Classic has a great list of common trouble spots to look out for.

Vauxhall Carlton

Arriving in 1986, with a choice of several engines and trim levels, the Vauxhall Carlton wasn’t exactly what you’d call a looker, but it sold in good numbers. Available in a 1.8-litre four-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol and 2.3-litre diesel four-cylinder engine, the Carlton was a well-designed, roomy and good-performing family car – with a low price point.

A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine was brought out in 1987 for the GSi model, followed by a 24v ion and the 3.0-litre CDXi estate in 1989. A smaller 2.6-litre 'six' arrived the following year and the turbocharged diesel replaced the normally aspirated unit in mid-1992.

The Carlton enjoyed several changes and facelifts over the time it was on sale. Anti-lock brakes were introduced to models in 1989 and estates received a radio aerial mounted at the rear of the roof. A new chrome grille came a year later, accompanied by 'smoked' tail light lenses.

You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a Carlton if you look in the right places, but the high-performance 3000GSis are relatively rare and much sought after.

Vauxhall Firenza/Magnum

When the Ford Capri came along and changed the game in 1969, every rival manufacturer wanted a piece of the action and to cash in on the craze for European muscle cars. The Firenza was Vauxhall’s attempt to take a slice of the pie. Very impressive it was, too, becoming the first road-going Vauxhall that could reach 60mph in less than 10 seconds.

Launched in 1971, the elegant fastback roof elevated it from standard Viva HC. The engines were lifted straight from the Viva – a 1159cc entry level model and a 1975cc version were the initial options, before 1256cc, 1759cc and 2279cc-engine models were added to the range.

In 1973, the Firenza name was retired and replaced with Magnum. But it was more than a simple rebranding with the transmission revised, the suspension gaining anti-roll bars and the engine refined. The matte black grille elevated the coachwork, turning into one the best-looking cars of the time, in many people’s eyes.

The cabin was also given a facelift with pile carpets and nylon cloth seats (the front seats reclined to add a touch more swagger), which was a big improvement on the vinyl upholstery which went before it.

The Magnum continued to be produced, in various versions, until 1978 before Vauxhall itself put it in the shade with the introduction of the Cavalier.

Vauxhall Viva

Launched in 1963, the Vauxhall Viva was the manufacturer’s first post-war small car. A late arrival to the party, it went up against the likes of the Austin A40, Ford Anglia 105E, Morris Minor and Triumph Herald which were already well established in the market and were selling in their droves. The Viva was also the first car produced at Vauxhall’s all-new factory at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

The Viva HA sold well its four-year production run, with Vauxhall shifting more than 300,000 units. Despite being little more than functional in appearance – lacking in some of the flair of its rivals – the Viva’s mechanical package was spot on.

It was well received upon launch. In its 1963 road test, Motor Sport magazine noted: “This General Motors’ inspired Vauxhall Viva is quite the most notable conventional-layout rear-drive, strip-steel suspended small car to be announced for a very long time. It is by no means a mini-car – indeed, in body width, seating space and luggage-boot size it will be acceptable to most families.”

However, perhaps more importantly, the Viva undercut pretty much all of the opposition on purchase price. Aimed at new drivers with limited budgets and cash-strapped small families, it’s perhaps little surprise it was such a success story for the manufacturer.

However, Vauxhall proved itself to be adept at meeting the demands of an increasingly affluent marketplace, too, readily updating the Viva with the De Luxe and the SL90 versions.

Vauxhall Astra

We complete this round-up of our favourite Vauxhalls with the manufacturer’s great success story: the Astra. Launched in 1979 as the Opel Kadett, the Mk1 Astra was the first Vauxhall to be offered with front-wheel drive, following the trend in Europe set by cars such as the Peugeot 205 and Volkswagen Golf.

Being awarded What Car? Car of the Year in 1980, the Astra replaced the Vauxhall Viva as a small and functional family car.

Four years after the launch, Vauxhall pointed the Astra towards the 1980s hot hatch revolution with the GTE model. Fitted with a 1796cc 115bhp engine, it could go from 0-60mph in just 8.5 seconds going up against the Golf GTI, the Peugeot 205 and the Ford Escort XR3i.

What’s more to be said about the Astra which hasn’t already been said? There have been seven generations of the Astra – all produced here in the UK at the Ellesmere Port facility – with more than four million units sold in 40 years.

Protect your investment with classic car insurance

So, which of these classic Vauxhalls have you got your eye on? Whichever model you buy, make sure you come to the specialists at Lancaster for a classic car insurance quote before you go anywhere else.

Did you know that Lancaster Insurance is the broker of choice for owners of 96,000 classic and retro vehicles in the UK?

Like you, the team at Lancaster is passionate about classic motors and we want to help preserve them for the future.

Benefits of classic car insurance through us can include:

• Up to 25% classic car club member discounts
• Salvage retention
• 90 days EU cover
• Static show cover
• Cover for historic rallies

If your classic only comes out on special occasions we can arrange for limited mileage discounts on your policy.

And if you’re wondering how much your pride and joy is worth, we can arrange a two-year agreed valuation for your classic. Just ask the team for more details.

Get a quick quote for classic car insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.