Lot details Registration No: TET616S Chassis No: 9B08RGY142615 Mot Expiry: March 2011
By 1976, Vauxhall's Chairman, Bob Price, had decided competing in international rallying was the best way to increase the company's profile and a deal was struck with Blydenstein Racing to develop a rally version of the Chevette - enter the HS. A 16-valve version of Vauxhall's 2.3-litre Slant Four engine was shoe-horned into the car's purposeful snout and mated to a five-speed Getrag gearbox, while the suspension and rear axle were lifted from the Opel Kadett C GT/E. Entry into Group 4 required the building of 400 `homologation specials' for general sale, the result of which was a rapid, good handling if rather raucous machine. The Works rally versions enjoyed great results in the hands of such talent as Pentii Airikkala and Tony Pond.
`TET 616S' began life as one of those original 400 HS road cars but was reworked in the style of a Works rally machine by its previous owner - the Chairman of the Droop Snoot group. Ex-Blydenstein guru Gerry Johnstone apparently knows the car well, has worked on the engine and supplied parts for its recent (fully documented and photographed) £3000-plus renovation by John Chatham Cars. An original Blydenstein 2279cc 16-valve HS unit, it is now said to be delivering 190 bhp. Other key items of specification include: new clutch; reconditioned Getrag 235 dog-leg gearbox; 4.22:1 limited slip differential; Bilstein dampers all-round; uprated suspension (700 lb springs front, 350 lb rear); uprated brakes with Volvo four-pot conversion operating on drilled / vented discs at front, HS drums on rear; hydraulic handbrake; Group 4 bias peddle box (dash adjustable), strengthening plates and body kit; sump guard; internal fluid lines; plumbed-in and hand-held fire extinguishers; full Safety Devices rollcage. A former class and award winner (of which a scale model is apparently currently being produced), the Vauxhall comes complete with a fresh MOT certificate and MSA log book.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:
If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035