1979 Vauxhall Chevette HS 2300

The Chevette was a model of car manufactured by Vauxhall in the UK from 1975 to 1984. It was Vauxhall's version of the family of small "T-Cars" from Vauxhall's parent General Motors (GM); the family included the Opel Kadett in Germany. The Chevette 2300HS was created for rally homologation.

In 1976, at the instigation of new chairman Bob Price, Vauxhall decided to increase their profile in International rallying. In conjunction with Blydenstein Racing, who ran 'Dealer Team Vauxhall', they developed a rally version of the Chevette.They created a far more powerful Chevette variant by fitting the much larger 2.3 litre slant four engine into the shell, using a sixteen valve cylinder head which Vauxhall was developing. Suspension and rear axle were from the Opel Kadett C GT/E, while the gearbox was a Getrag 5-speed. Chevrolet Vega Alloy wheels (similar in appearance to the Avon wheels used on the droopsnoot Firenza) were used, as well as a newly developed glass-reinforced plastic air dam.The resulting car was fast, with 135 hp (100 kW), and a far cry from the small-engined Chevettes from which it was developed. In order to compete in International rallying, the car had to be homologated for Group 4- the class the HS was to compete in - meant building 400 production examples. The result was a fast car with good handling, if rather unrefined. Like the Droopsnoot Firenza, the HS was available only in silver, with red highlighting and a bright red, black and tartan interior.The HS was a great success as a rally car, clocking up notable wins for drivers such as Pentti Airikkala, Jimmy Mcrae and Tony Pond. It was a challenge to the most successful rally car of the time, the Ford Escort, winning the British Open Rally Championship for Drivers in 1979 and for manufacturers in 1981.

The car offered for sale today is a fine and rare example of a road car. Many were converted for race and rally purposes and have 'succumbed' over time. It comprises the following:

Engine: Comprehensive rebuild by John Noble Engines and other work including polished and ported head, improved oil circulation and "waisted' head bolts. Last major rebuild at 60k miles. More recently, the 2007 top end overhaul increased the compression ratio to 9.8:1. Converted to fully mapped fuel injection and ignition in 2007 (Emerald M3DK ECU fully adjustable fuel and ignition). The engine has no distributor but uses a coil pack linked to the ECU. Sensors fitted for crank position, throttle, water temp, air temp etc. New Kent Vernier cam pulleys. Mocal oil cooler. Janspeed 4 branch manifold. Works type engine mounts. Works cam belt pulleys with new bearings. Overhauled radiator and electric fan controlled by ECU. Bosch "Pico' type injectors fitted directly into inlet manifold. Custom made Jenvey fuel rail and adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Dellorto 48mm carbs converted as throttle bodies with twin throttle cables. Red top fuel pump to alloy swirl pot and fuel injection pump, new copper fuel lines plus return pipes. A very strong engine, no flat spots - stacks of torque right throughout the rev range. Cost approx £2000 to convert. Conservative rolling road figures of 172 bhp @ 5,200 rpm peaking at 185 bhp @ 6400 giving a superb spread of power. Still producing masses of power up to 7000rpm, but restricted with a soft cut limiter @ 6600rpm and hard cut @ 6800rpm (adjustable), with a dashboard shift light.

Suspension: Front yellow Gp4 bilsteins with 350lb springs. Ball joints and lower arm bushes replaced. Rear AVO adjustable dampers with standard HS springs (lowered by 1 coil). Tie rod and panhard rod bushes replaced with "shor 80' heavy duty. Front and rear wheel bearings replaced.

Wheels/Tyres: Original HS alloy wheels 6J x 13 refurbished and powder coated. 205/60 Yokohama 032R and 048 soft compound tyres. Recent new wheel nut set.

Rear axle: Standard HS axle but with new LSD made by Gripper Diffs, Coventry. (Cost £750 in 2003)

Gearbox: Standard Getrag 5 speed "dog leg'. Rose jointed short shift linkage.

Exhaust: New stainless steel 3 box system fitted costing £500 in 2008. Made by PD Gough (Nottingham)

Brakes: Front 4 pot Volvo type calipers modified to give "full sweep' of Carlton 2.2 vented discs. Calipers fully overhauled with new seals and Jag XJ disc pads. Rear brakes - new drums, linings and wheel cylinders. Most brake pipes and flexibles replaced including pistons and seals in master cylinder.

Interior: Original seats and trim in good condition. New genuine Vauxhall complete carpet set recently fitted, new door and boot seals, rear seat belts, harness eye bolts and glass sunroof (no leaks). Original "sundym' tinted glass and security etched, including opening rear !/4's. It has never had a cage fitted.

Much rarer and thus more collectable than the ever popular Ford Escort RS 2000, this 'HS' has received much dedicated care and attention.