1980 Vauxhall Chevette HSR

Highlights

• One of only 34 road-going HSRs built
• Engine rebuild by JS Motorsport, producing 184 BHP
• Subject to a superb repaint, full mechanical inspection and major service during current ownership
• Exhibited at the November 2023 NEC Classic Car Show
• The original and ultra-rare magnesium alloy wheels accompany the car

The Appeal

Ford, Vauxhall's arch-rival, was revelling in the spoils of its rally success. Both MkI and MkII Escorts proved enormously capable competition cars, while Luton's home team was left somewhat behind during the early 1970s. Enter Bob Price, Vauxhall's new chairman from 1976. Price recognised that winning on the international rally scene would translate to sale success, backing a program to develop the Chevette. With Pentti Airikkala, Jimmy McRae and Tony Pond at the wheel, the Blydenstein Racing-developed Chevette won the British Open Rally Driver's Championship in 1979, and won the Manufacturer's Championship in 1981.
Group 4 rules dictated 400 homologation specials be built for international competition. The Chevette HS was built from 1978 on a dedicated (rather than standard) production, and it's thought that a little over 300 were built in total. Painted silver with red stripes and sporting an oh-so-'70s tartan interior trim, the HS had a Getrag five-speed gearbox and body kit. The engine was Vauxhall‘s own 2.3-litre slant floor (half a Chevrolet V8 block), using a 16-valve cylinder head.
The HS was very expensive and proved hard to sell. Some were re-sprayed black, retrimmed and sold as HS-Xs, but sales were still disappointing and so the legendary Bill Blydenstein, Vauxhall's Cosworth equivalent, modified the remaining HS cars further with a body kit that would become known as the "Plastic Fantastic". Blydenstein also revised rear axle drive ratio, upgraded the carburettors, upgraded front discs and magnesium wheels. Power was increased from 135 bhp to 150 bhp, the car was re-badged as the HSR, and was priced at £7,146.
We're honoured to bring one of these cars to market and a stunning example at that. The vendor tells us:
"During its first 10 years, HOF had a number of owners and was always well maintained. Ownership settled down in 1990, with Sandra Gallis of Shrewsbury and, in 2000, the car was passed on to Duncan Wood of Harrietsham, Kent. The engine benefited from a rebuild by JS Motorsport during 2010, when it produced 184 bhp at the flywheel. In 2012, the car was passed to BG Motorsport, where it was largely kept in storage, completing only 500 miles, until it was passed to the present owner in 2020.

"With the current owner, HOF has benefitted from a superb repaint, full mechanical inspection and service, new cambelt and fanbelt, new front callipers and fitment of an oil catch tank. It has been used sparingly, having completed circa 56,000 miles since new. HOF is well known within the Droop Snoot Group and was exhibited at the November 2023 NEC Classic Car Show. It is now one of the most original and best preserved HSRs remaining. It starts on the button, is in “as new” condition and drives superbly, matching the performance that it would have had the day that it left the showroom. The original magnesium wheels remain with the car, and have been replaced with new, matching Minilites. The original GM radio and Chevette rubber floormats are included, as is a good history file.”

The History and Paperwork

• 55,950 miles indicated
• Exempt from road tax and MOT
• Original owner's manuals present
• First registered on 12th November 1980
• Several registered keepers in the first 10 years, then stable ownership from 1990
• 11 former registered keepers in total
• Engine rebuild by JS Motorsport in 2010
• Largely stored by BG Motorsport from 2012 to 2020, covering only 500 miles
• Current owner since 2020, with recent repaint and mechanical inspection
• Well-known within the Droop Snoot Group
• Exhibited at the November 2023 NEC Classic Car Show

The Condition

• Recent repaint to a very high standard
• Original HSR scheme, body kit and vinyls
• Flared arches, skirts and a lightweight GRP bonnet
• No damage or corrosion reported; presents impeccably throughout
• Interior features original tartan trim, rubber floor mats and GM radio
• Original magnesium wheels included, replaced with new Minilites

It really is like travelling back to the '80s. A great deal of time and funds have been invested in this car, ensuring it presents as close as it possible can to how it would have looked when it left Bill Blydenstein's workshops. Even the finer details like the GM rubber floor mats and GM radio exactly as they should be. The main concession to originality is the fact the original (and notoriously troublesome) magnesium wheels have been swapped out for a smart set of Minilites. The original wheels do accompany the car.

The Mechanics

• 2.3-litre 16v slant-four
• Getrag five-speed manual transmission
• Engine rebuild by JS Motorsport, producing 184 bhp
• Recent mechanical inspection and service
• New cam belt, fan belt, and front callipers fitted
• Oil catch tank installed

With 184 bhp to play with, this little Vauxhall promises enormous fun behind the wheel. These cars only just tip the scales at a ton, so with rear-wheel-drive and a precise Getrag five-speed gearbox, these Chevettes are an absolute riot to drive. The engine compartment presents impeccably and we're informed that this HSR runs and drives very well indeed.

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