Classic Car Auctions to showcase an eclectic range of cars for their final auction of the year.

• 130 ‘everyman’ classics will be offered at auction at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre on Saturday 3^rdDecember.
• Lots include a 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo, a 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, the first ever 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS and a special VW Beetle charity lot.
• The sale is the auction houses’ final event of 2016 and includes a special viewing day on Friday 2^ndDecember.

Classic Car Auctions returns this weekend with its final auction of the year and a catalogue of 130 quality ‘everyman’ classics for sale on Saturday 3^rd December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

With a diverse mix of traditional and modern classics on offer, buyers can expect everything from rare, low mileage collectibles, to eighties performance icons, timeless, restored classics and ready for restoration ‘barn finds’, offering the chance to buy some of the most desirable cars on the market, along with some healthy investment opportunities, given the growth in the sub-£100k market.

 

Proving popular at CCA sales, a number of iconic, modern performance cars headline the sale including a remarkable UK supplied, right-hand drive 1992 Honda NSX, finished in striking metallic black with a black leather interior. Supplied with a perfectly suited registration plate, 'J13 NSX', it is estimated at between £30,000 and £35,000.

Another iconic model, a 2001 Subaru Impreza P1 2.0T 4WD 2DR, number 524 of just 1000 limited editions by Prodrive, and with just one previous registered owner, offers great value to buyers with a sale estimate of £10,000 to £12,000. A supercharged 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, with incredible performance and luxury, also offers buyers exceptional value, with a sale estimate of £8,000 to £10,000.

Fans of British performance models have the chance to own a 1999 Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo, with both low mileage and recent servicing, estimated at between £26,000 and £30,000.

A fantastic choice of Porsches are also available, with a right-hand drive 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo finished in Tahiti Blue and maintained in excellent condition, estimated at between £55,000 and £65,000.

A very well cared for 1983 Porsche 944 Lux, finished in Guards Red with a leather and pinstriped velour interior, and reading just 61,000 miles, is estimated at between £8,000 and £10,000. Also, an attractive 1980 Porsche 911 3.0 SC Targa which has benefitted from much recent expenditure, is expected to achieve between £20,000 and £25,000 on sale day.

Barn-find E-Types are now a regular at CCA, commanding elevated sale prices over the last year, and a UK, right-hand drive 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, ready for restoration, is therefore sensibly guided at £25,000 to £30,000.

Other highlights of the auction include a 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS 2.3, a genuine part of motoring history as the very first example off the production line and now fully restored, estimated at between £18,000 and £22,000.

An unusual 1985 Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine formerly owned by the United Arab Emirates Embassy will be offered at ‘No Reserve’.

Finally, the auction house will be offering a special charity lot, a 1975 Volkswagen 1303 Beetle Convertible, with all proceeds to be donated to 'Bloodwise', to end a year of fundraising for the blood cancer charity.

“We pride ourselves on the variety we offer our customers at our sales, and this one is no exception as one of our most exciting catalogues yet,” comments Guy Lees-Milne, auction manager at CCA. “We welcome all car fans, young and old, to our sales and we’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit early, so if you’re looking for a festive day out, or to buy the ultimate Christmas present, we can promise a very exciting auction.”

A special viewing afternoon will be held on Friday 2^nd December at the auction venue, near Leamington Spa. The sale itself begins at 12.30pm on Saturday 3^rd December. 

Vauxhall Heritage Centre opens as usual, for just ONE day a year, do not miss this one.

• Luton-based Heritage Centre opens doors to public in June
• Free admission for all

Vauxhall Motors’ 113 years of history will be laid bare next month as its ever-popular Heritage Centre Open Day is confirmed for 2016.

On Sunday, June 12 Vauxhall’s 73-strong collection of vehicles, covering every decade since the company started building cars in 1903, will be open for families and enthusiasts to explore. And best of all, admission is free.

At this year’s event Vauxhall will be marking two anniversaries: 50 years since the first Viva HB drove off Ellesmere Port’s production line, and 30 years since the last Bedford commercial vehicle was manufactured. Supporting this, an early SL-model HB will be on display, as well as two CVs that bookended Bedford production: a 1931 2-ton truck and two CFs – a one-off electric model, and a near concours production panel van.

Two new additions to the collection will also be on show. Completing a set of the first five sporting Astras is a 2009 VXR Nürburgring, which will join our two GTEs, Mk. 3 GSi and Mk. 4 888 Coupe. And at the opposite end of the spectrum, a 1949 Wyvern L-type also makes its debut at the Open Day. This car – the only left-hooker in the collection – makes a welcome return to the town of its birth after 67 years pounding the roads of Portugal and Holland.

The breadth and quality of Vauxhall’s Heritage Collection is near-unique, with most of the cars roadworthy and maintained by a small team, led by Andy Boddy, Senior Vehicle Restorer. A majority of the cars were also built in Luton, at the famous Kimpton Road plant.

Vauxhall’s Heritage Centre Open Day will run from 10am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, and parking is free. The Heritage Centre is situated behind Vauxhall’s Head Office on Park Street, Luton LU1 3HG.

Vauxhall to add a touch of Glamour at this years Goodwood Revival.

• Iconic vintage 30-98 tourer joins Goodwood Revival’s Transport Corps
• ‘Goldviva’ display brings Hollywood magic to Earls Court Motor Show

With just a few days left until the 16^th running of the world-renowned Goodwood Revival, Vauxhall is once more supporting the event with a mixture of heritage and glamour that captures the spirit and theme of the venue.

Cars that MIGHT be at the Show are below

not these actual cars, but model ranges from all era's.

Taking pride of place in the Goodwood Revival Transport Corps is Vauxhall Heritage Centre’s prized 1926 OE-type 30-98, which will be busy bringing racing drivers into the circuit throughout the three-day event.

Whilst the 30-98 was built some years before Goodwood circuit opened in 1948, such was its racing pedigree that it would have been a common site among the racing fraternity of the day. The Vauxhall Heritage car, complete with Velox body, is one of the most original examples in existence. 

Known by its chassis number, ‘OE268’, it’s set to provide Goodwood’s racers with a ride to remember – even before they reach the circuit.

Earls Court Motor Show is another highlight of Goodwood Revival, and this year every visitor will get the chance to see their name in lights – and get a photo to prove it – at the Vauxhall Cinema stand. 

Celebrating the premiere of ‘Goldviva’, starring Sean Connelly, Earls Court show-goers will see a Viva HA like no other, along with the all-new 2015 VIVA. Free popcorn will be in plentiful supply to all those who visit the stand and walk the red carpet.

VAUXHALL to celebrate the Chevette and Cavalier anniversaries at the Footman James Sywell Classic.

Vauxhall Heritage will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the much loved Chevette at this year’s Footman James Sywell Classic – Pistons and Props motoring festival, held at Northamptonshire’s Sywell Aerodrome on Sat 26^th and Sun 27^th September.

There will be several examples of the celebrated marque on display such as the Chevette HS2300 plus the Cavalier Mk1, also celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015.  All of the Vauxhall owners clubs have been invited to join the party.

The organisers are also giving private owners of the Vauxhall Chevette the opportunity to get involved, with 20 places allocated within the Vauxhall Heritage display.

Denis Chick, Director of Communications at Vauxhall Motors, said: “We're delighted to be celebrating 40 years of the Chevette at Sywell Classic and look forward to showing some of our Vauxhall heritage fleet as well as meeting owners who have kept their Chevettes in such excellent order and still on the road today. 

The Cavalier will also join in making this a double anniversary celebration.”

Also on show will be the Biggles Bi-Plane, a replica BE-2c aircraft from the 1914/18 war which is supported by Vauxhall.  It was commissioned in 1969 by the makers of the film ‘Biggles Sweeps the Skies’. 

As well as taking to the sky it will be displayed alongside an original Vauxhall 1914 D-Type army staff car and the striking Biggles liveried Vauxhall Zafira Tourer support vehicle.

Sywell Classic Event Director Tom Siddall added: “This is the first time a major manufacturer has supported Sywell Classic and we're thrilled to have them on board for a celebration of their strong heritage.”

Bringing Vauxhall right up date will be an example of the all-new Astra, launched just two weeks before at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Astra is British-built at Vauxhall’s factory in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. 

Vauxhall will also be showing the recently launched new Viva, a car that revives memories of its very successful 1960s predecessor.

Now in its third year, Sywell Classic combines historic racers, hot rods and motorbikes with classic planes and vintage music to create a fantastic two-day event, celebrating classic motoring on the ground and in the air.

Vauxhall Heritage Centre opens as usual, for just ONE day a year, and this year is the one to go to.

• Heritage Centre Open Day on Sunday 14^th June 2015
• Free entry for all visitors
• Celebrating 40 years of Cavalier and Chevette
• 25 years of Lotus Carlton

Vauxhall will be showcasing its collection of historic cars to the public for one day only on Sunday 14^th June, from 10am until 4pm.

Based at the Heritage Centre in Park Street, Luton, visitors will be able to view the company’s collection for free, including over 60 veteran, vintage and post-war Vauxhalls from 1903 to modern times, as well as a number of unique concept cars.

This year, the Vauxhall Heritage Centre’s Open Day will highlight two important milestones in the history of Vauxhall. For 2015, we’re celebrating 40 years since the ground-breaking Cavalier was launched in the UK, which set a new precedent for family cars and became an iconic model for Vauxhall.

Also celebrating its 40th anniversary is the Chevette, based on Vauxhall’s first adoption of a GM world-car platform. In a modern world full of popular superminis, the Chevette forged the way for a new generation of impressive small vehicles and was instrumental in reviving the Vauxhall brand.

And if that wasn’t enough, Vauxhall’s Lotus Carlton will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary. It was famed for being the world’s fastest four-door saloon at 176mph.

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm with food and refreshments on sale, as well as entertainment including pedal cars and face painting for children. The day is perfect for all ages of car enthusiasts, and a great way for all the family to celebrate a collection of anniversaries.

Vauxhall celebrates 5,000,000th car to come off the Ellesmere Port Production Lines.

Today, in its 50^th year as one of the UK’s most prolific car plants, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory has released dramatic footage of a vehicle sign-off like no other, while celebrating the five-millionth car to be produced at the Cheshire plant.

News of the landmark car will be an extra boost for the near-1,800 workforce at EP, who build a new car every two minutes, and is currently gearing up for production of an all-new Astra later in 2015. As the lead manufacturing plant in Europe for the new model, Ellesmere Port is taking on an additional 300 staff next month as part of a £140 million investment by parent General Motors, which will secure the plant’s future into the middle of next decade.

Vauxhall started building its compact cars at the Cheshire plant in 1964, and has been responsible for all Viva models (a nameplate that’ll return to the brand next year), the Chevette and all six Astra models from 1982. In all, an average of 100,000 units has left the plant in each of the last 50 years.

But like its sister plant in Luton (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r5FyzPX3W8) Ellesmere Port can also reveal footage of its extreme car sign-off process, which has evolved from clandestine ‘testing’ in the factory during the Sixties and Seventies, to one of the most comprehensive quality validations in the motor industry.

In 1964, when the first Viva HA rolled off the line, Ellesmere’s workforce was as passionate and skilled as it is today, but one employee – known simply as ‘Ellesmere Pete’ – developed a finely-honed test process, which is now used as a rubber-stamp by the factory on all the vehicles it makes.

Pete works during the plant’s downtime, and uses EP’s vast Body Shop to put randomly selected Astras through a variety of tough tests. Suspension components are only signed off after Pete has jettisoned an Astra into mid-air and had it land safely, while steering geometry is analysed by completing a half-circuit of the body-shop on two wheels.

But while the process has always remained the same, from the earliest Viva HA’s right through to modern day, Pete admits to some favourite test-drives around the plant. ‘The Firenza Droopsnoot was a cracker. It had so much poke that the biggest challenge was not clipping some of the machinery as you drifted it between production lines. And when I got my hands on the first Astra GTE back in ’82, it was by far the fastest thing I’d put through the stillage-chicane in Body Shop. I could hit 60 on a good day.’

Ellesmere Port’s current Plant Director, Stefan Fesser, was sceptical about the testing when he arrived in 2013. ‘Of course, Ellesmere Pete is a legend in GM circles, but I wasn’t convinced until I saw the breadth of his high-speed testing in the plant, and the detailed reports he generates. And you know what? After fifty years, he still does a fantastic job of validating the great quality that comes with every car we produce. Long may he continue.’

To view Ellesmere Pete at work, from 1964 to 2014, please click on the following link: http://bit.ly/1w5DhU2

Today’s Astra range is as popular and diverse as ever. With power outputs ranging from 100PS through to 280PS for the VXR model, it almost always features in the UK’s top-five best sellers and is available as a 3-door GTC coupe, 5-door Hatch and Sports Tourer estate. Both the Hatch and Sports Tourer are built at Ellesmere Port, with 76 per cent of total volume going to export.

50 years of production for Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port.

On June 1^st 1964, the first Vauxhall rolled off the production line at the all-new Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire. On June 5^th 2014, Vauxhall celebrated 50 years of production at Ellesmere Port by recreating the 1964 scene and the original press image of the first vehicle coming off the line, in the same production location with today’s Astra alongside.

The first new car to be produced at Ellesmere Port was a Vauxhall Viva HA, a model name that would run in a number of variants until 1978 when it was replaced by the Chevette. The Viva cost £527 7s 11d at launch.

The first Astra, Vauxhall’s first front-wheel drive car, was built on 16^th November 1981.  Astra has since become Vauxhall’s best seller and continues in production to this day.

Ellesmere Port was built on the site of RAF Hooton with construction starting in 1962. It should have been called Vauxhall Hooton Park but this was changed shortly before production began as it was deemed to be too close, phonetically, to Luton which could have caused much confusion internally. The factory came to west Cheshire as a result of a Government strategy to develop production plants with the ‘Big Five’ motor manufacturers in new industrial development areas across the country.  Vauxhall, Ford and Standard Triumph chose the Liverpool/Wirral/Merseyside region. The Board of Trade offered financial inducements including 40% towards plant and machinery costs and 25% towards construction.

Ellesmere Port has weathered a number of motor industry storms over the years and was recently threatened with closure. The determination of the strong workforce working closely with the management team and UNITE The Union has ensured the plant’s survival into the next decade with the allocation of the next generation Astra.  Production of the new model will start in the autumn of 2015 with Ellesmere Port being the lead plant of only two producing this important model across Europe.