MOTOR CARS | 113'The Vauxhall Chevette HS was an extremely successful "homologation
special , which in factory-driven hands was as effective as the Escort RS
of the day.' - Graham Robson, 'A-Z of Works Rally Cars'.
The Vauxhall Chevette HS hatchback was launched in 1976,
although there were none for sale until January 197 . Vauxhalls first
'Homologation special', the Chevette HS was powered by the Magnum's
2.3-litre slant-four engine, upgraded with Vauxhall's own twin-cam
16-valve cylinder head, which delivered its 135bhp maximum via a
Getrag five-speed close-ratio gearbox. <p-rated suspension and brakes,
wide-rim alloy wheels, and front and rear spoilers completed the picture,
all these components being sourced from other high-performance
models in the General Motors family.
Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) was running the 'factory' competitions
programme at the time, with both circuit racing and rallying being Bill
Blydenstein's responsibility from 1976. Blydenstein's 'Droop Snoot'
competition entries had traditionally been finished in silver, and this
evocative colour scheme was carried over to the Chevette HS, which also
featured tartan interior trim and additional instruments. Only 400 examples
were built, this being the minimum required by the FIA for homologation,
and today these special cars are both rare and highly collectable.
Representing the very best of Vauxhall's 1970s output, this rare
Chevette HS benefits from an engine rebuild carried out in 2012 and
comes with a detailed report from the engineer responsible. It has also
been treated to a full professional re-spray, carried out in 2013, and the
body and paint still in good condition today.'UJY 747V' was purchased at auction by Philip Young in February
2014; sadly, he died in March 2015 so did not get the opportunity to
enjoy the car as much as he would have liked. Kept in professional
storage since then, the Chevette runs and drives and is described as in
generally good condition.A fun car to drive, making all the right noises and giving all the feedback
one could wish for, the Chevette HS was one of the truly great 'Hot
Hatch' models of the 1970s, possessing the added cachet of being
produced in strictly limited numbers.
£16,000 - 20,000
€19,000 - 23,000131
1979 VAUXHALL CHEVETTE HS HATCHBACK
Registration no. UJY 747V
Chassis no. 9B0 RJY14 2 3
• Rare 'homologation special'
• One of 400 made- Engine rebuilt in 2012
- Professionally re-sprayed in 2013