Vauxhall Chevette

Vauxhall Chevette 1256cc 1982 Y reg Hatchback This must be the most reliable Chevette ever made - 8 years with no big problems, just kept starting up every day without fail. I love this car to bits because it was the first car i ever drove and it had rear wheel drive and thats about it, but what fun it was to drive in the snow!!. I finally drove the car to the scrap to get rid of it because finding parts was a nightmare when my indicators stop working. I believe the was repaired and put back on the road. If anyone knows where the car is, or if you know anyone with a red chevette registration number JRO29Y ...

That was the advertising slogan when Vauxhall launched the Chevette back in the 70's. This was the first non imported hatchback to hit UK markets and it sold like hot cakes in its flexible hatch format. Before we go any further however let me just position this opinion. It is designed to be a reflection on this car in its time, ie the mid 70's, when it was a break from the tradition of the "three box" saloon car. In this way it provides some reference for motoring enthusiasts and historians to understand what the car meant at the time. It is also to highlight considerations for people who are buying these vehicles ...

The Vauxhall Chevette is a car which is too outdated to stand comparison with a modern car, and too slow and without the charisma be a classic. Cars have moved on in the last 20 years in many ways. The day to day reliability has improved enormously with fuel injection and electronic engine management even if it does cost a fortune if it ever does go wrong. The passive safety (air bags, ABS, side impact bars, improved crumple zones etc), security (deadlocks, immobilisers). I owned a Chevette when it was 6 years old with about 50,000 miles. At that time, there was a fair amount of rust coming through behind the headlights. It was on its third engine and second gear ...