1978 Vauxhall Chevette HS

Britain’s first hot hatch; a rare rally-bred icon. The metallic 'Silver Starfire' paintwork has a positive, smooth lustre with an even consistency. There are a few minor blemishes on the paint, the most notable of which were spotted on the top corners of the front wings, close the A-pillars. The neat red decals have been cleanly applied. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint. There are a handful of minor underpaint imperfections spotted on the offside rear arch, bottom of the rear wing where it meets the rear valance, the base of the nearside rear wing near the wheel arch and the bottom of the passenger door. There are also imperfections on the nose of the car, where the spotlights were originally mounted. The underside of the car is solid with a clean floor pan, wheel wells, suspension mounts, engine bay, and boot floor. The exterior presents positively, with no panel damage. They fit flush to the body with even shut lines. The doors open and close with ease. We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The dashboard and centre console are in good shape, free of marks and significant wear. The controls and dials are in line with the positive condition of the dashboard, with minor signs of age on some of the switches. The door cards, interior trim, and headlining are free of marks. Engineered for the rigours of motorsport, the 2.3-litre 16-valve slant-four boasts a prestigious competition pedigree. By integrating dual carburettors with a Cosworth-developed 16-valve head, the HS emerged as the definitive powerhouse of the slant-four lineage. While born from the high-stakes Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) competition program and tuned for aggressive performance, the engine remains remarkably flexible and reliable, making it as formidable on the road as it is on the track. Though we were unable to test its limit through forest stages, the open road vividly showcased the engine’s immense pulling power. The soundtrack is nothing short of dramatic, evoking the raw, guttural roar of a muscle car, yet delivered with a level of handling precision that far surpasses its American counterparts. The engine's torque is impressive, giving the Chevette HS a strong mid-range punch. The handling is sharp, with a confident grip; the suspension didn’t produce any unwanted rattles, and the steering, helped by new rods and track ends, remained tight and provided an insight into the Chevette's agility. Mechanically minded, Milton has not experienced any problems with the car's cooling or oil pressure. It also has a Kenlowe fan with an override switch as a sensible precaution. It was a warm day during our visit, and the engine temperature remained stable. The glass is in good shape, with decent seals. The lights and lenses display positively. The trim is correct for the model; there are a few touch-up marks on the red-painted trim, but otherwise, all displays positively. The fibreglass bumper/air dam and boot spoiler are well-mounted. There is a blister patch on the boot spoiler. The original spec deep-dish 13-inch alloy wheels are in excellent condition with Griffin-branded centre caps. The car is fitted with Nankang tyres showing a spec of 205/60 - these are date-coded from 2017. They all have plenty of even and legal tread. Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. The distinctive red-and-black high-back Recaro-style sports seats, with tartan plaid fabric centres, are in excellent condition with no significant signs of wear. The red carpets display well, with no dampness. Milton will supply overmats to help protect the footwells. The engine starts up without any issues, firing up from cold with no splutters or unwanted noises. It idled evenly as the dashboard warning lights all remained off. There were no unwanted fumes from the exhaust, and the car remained leak-free during our visit. The engine is very cleanly presented, with Milton informing us that £6.5K had been spent on its rebuild in 2025. This included new liners, rings, big ends and main bearings, new valves and springs, reworked cams, new buckets and shims, head skim, block cleaned and crack tested with a crank regrind +20. The head valve guides are re-machined. The original Stromberg carburettors have been replaced by the superior 48 Dellortos, but otherwise the engine set-up is standard. The car has a P.D Gough full 2/14” stainless steel exhaust. The close-ratio Getrag dog-leg 5-speed gearbox operates smoothly, with nice, slick gear changes. Milton commented that it’s a little notchy in first and second gears, but it operates as it should. He also reports that the new clutch functions well. A Bluetooth/MP3 Sony head unit and aftermarket oil pressure gauge have been fitted. First registered in March 1978, this car is believed to be one of the earliest examples, having been assembled 3 months into the HS’s production. Believed to have been first registered in the North East, it has had 6 previous owners and comes with an extensive history file, with invoices going back nearly 40 years, to the late 1980s. The bulk of the invoices are from 2017 onwards, when the car became Milton’s pride and joy. A conservative review of the history file reveals approximately £9,000 in mechanical investment, a figure that excludes the additional costs of the bodywork restoration and the bespoke exhaust system. Recent attention has centred on a comprehensive mechanical overhaul, headlined by a £6,100 engine rebuild and complemented by a consistent stream of investment into the suspension, brakes, and steering. Milton has meticulously chronicled the car's transformation, providing a full photographic record of the bare-metal body repairs and brake work. The engine was expertly rebuilt in late 2025 by Classic and Modern Engine Services of Bracknell. In addition to the comprehensive restoration records and a substantial file of invoices, the Chevette is accompanied by its original owner’s handbook, period sales literature, and various enthusiast club magazines. It comes with a batch of MOT's, the earliest of which is from 1985, which helps verify the car's low mileage. To provide total peace of mind, Milton has included a fresh MOT valid until March 2027, despite the car’s official status as an MOT-exempt classic. It also comes with two sets of keys. Safe to say, we believe it's unlikely you'll find another Chevette HS like this one. We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. The ride is set up to be firm, but is surprisingly comfortable. All of the bushes are upgraded to polyurethane items, along with new springs and cups. The car absorbed the road with no unwanted rattles or thuds. It has Wilwood 4-pot calipers with vented discs on the front, and new wheel cylinders on the rears. They stop the car without any negative feedback, free of fade or wobbles. The gear lever and leather-wrapped steering wheel finish off the pleasing appearance of the cabin.