MP supports Vauxhall heritage

Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins pledged his support for the Vauxhall Heritage Centre on June 4th when he took the Luton-based Collection’s Astra GTE up to the palace of Westminster. The white Astra GTE, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, caused quite a stir and provided stark relief from the stream of ministerial Jaguars and Toyota Prius.

Kelvin took the Astra to London to raise the profile of the heritage centre, which houses priceless vehicles and artifacts dating back over the entire 110-year history of Vauxhall motors.

‘Nowhere is Luton’s proud tradition as a motor vehicle manufacturing town more clearly represented than at the heritage centre,’ he said, ‘I believe its continuing role in educating youngsters and celebrating Vauxhall in Luton is an essential one.’

On the evening of the 4th Kelvin spoke at the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group annual meeting, once again raising the profile of the UK’s classic vehicles industry and Vauxhall in particular. ‘The classic vehicle industry is worth over £4billion to the UK economy and helps preserve vital engineering skills. It introduces young people to concepts and experiences that they can have nowhere else and, I believe, helps inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians. It is extremely important to the UK’s manufacturing future.’ The centre, which is based on Park Street in Luton, will host an open day on August 18th between 10am and 4pm.