There’s a rare treat in store for classic car lovers and fans of all things Vauxhall at the manufacturer’s Luton HQ on Sunday, June 10.
Vauxhall Motors will open the doors to its world-renowned Heritage Centre which this year celebrates its first quarter-century.
Vauxhall will show off 75 models in full glory
Housing a collection of 75 vehicles, spanning the company’s 115-year history, Vauxhall Heritage Centre will show them off in all their glory. The display will feature everything from the first model produced – a 5hp, single-cylinder, chain-driven “horseless carriage” – to the very latest 600hp VXR8 GTS-R.
In between will be every incarnation imaginable – many with anniversaries of their own to celebrate.
These will include the 1918 D-type Staff Car which helped mobilise the British Army during WWI, and the L-Type Wyvern which went into production when 70 years ago Vauxhall stopped building Churchill tanks for WWII.
Vauxhall Corsa turns 25 and will be the star of the show
There are many other anniversaries – 35 years since the first Astra GTE, 55 years since the first Viva, 40 years since the first Chevette HS – but arguably the most important is the 25th anniversary of the best-selling Corsa.
Visitors can expect to see all four generations outside the Heritage Centre on the day.
Of course, there’s more to the collection than just production cars. The XVR and SRV concepts showcase Vauxhall’s design capability in the Sixties and Seventies, while the VX Lightning shows how this could have continued into the 21st century.
There will also be a tribute to Bedford, with vehicles ranging from the 1930 two-ton truck to the CA and CF panel vans.
Roadworthy Vauxhall Heritage Collection is ‘unique’
The breadth and quality of the Vauxhall’s Heritage Collection is unique, with most cars roadworthy and maintained by Senior Restorer, Andy Boddy and Terry Forder.
Most the vehicles were also built just around the corner from the Heritage Centre, at the famous Kimpton Road plant.
The Heritage Centre Open Day will run from 10am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, and parking and entrance is free. The Heritage Centre is located behind Vauxhall’s Head Office in Park Street, Luton LU1 3HG.
Whether your car is a Mark I Astra, VX220, Vectra SRi or the latest Corsa, Adrian Flux have a specialist classic car policy for you.