“Get one while it’s hot” - The Vauxhall Chevette Sun Hatch

17 October 2025

Gold Vauxhall Chevette Sun Hatch

W B and sons are to auction a car that is as ultra ‘1980’ as hearing Davis Bowie sing Ashes to Ashes. Here are 10 facts about this exclusive limited edition Vauxhall Chevette Sun Hatch:

1. When Vauxhall unveiled the Sun Hatch in June of 1980, they promised buyers it would open up a new motoring dimension.

2. They also advised potential buyers it was no ordinary limited edition model but a “very limited edition” Chevette.

3. Your colour choices were metallic “Silver Beige” or metallic “Light Blue”, both to enhance the Chevette’s “classic lines”.

4. The Sun Hatch was based on the Chevette L and featured a detachable sunroof, “sports wheels”, front head restraints, tinted glass, a clock, a push-button radio, and a cigar lighter.

5. Vauxhall boasted the Sun Hatch possessed “driving flair and extra value”.

 

Vauxhall Chevette Sun Hatch Interior

 

6. The price of the Sun Hatch was £3,954 or £4,167 with optional automatic transmission. By comparison, a standard Chevette L was £3,746.

7. The Sun Hatch helped raised the profile of the Chevette, an established success for Vauxhall over the past five years, and would hopefully tempt Escort Mk. II owners away from the Ford marque. The Sun Hatch would also remind buyers that despite the Vauxhall Astra Mk. I, which debuted in November 1979, the Chevette still had a great deal to offer the discerning motorist.

8. In May 1980, the Chevette was Vauxhall’s best-selling car, and the 6th most popular new model in the UK, ahead of the Renault 18 in 7th place, the Ford Capri in 8th place, the Austin Allegro in 9th place and Vauxhall’s own Cavalier in 10th place.

9. Only 3,500 Sun Hatches left the factory, and a mere 500 of these had automatic transmission. So, “Start looking for your nearest dealer in the Yellow Pages and put your name down for one this weekend”.

10. As the original advertisement urged - “Get one while it’s hot”.

With thanks to https://wbandsons.com/ for their time.

With thanks to https://wbandsons.com/ for the permission to use the images in this blog.