The Mark 2 Astra was launched on 17 October 1984. It used the same range of engines and running gear as the Mark 1, but with a completely restyled body with better aerodynamics. It was voted European Car of The Year in 1985.
Italian designers Bertone were responsible for the cabriolet and 6,764 were built from 1987 to 1993. These came with a 1.6 litre engine in standard trim and 2-litre in the GTEs, the latter available with powered roof and electric windows. These cars are praised for their shake-free shells and their sporting looks.
First registered on the 31st of May 1991 with the registration mark HMW 2, we believe its new owner resided in the Bristol Area.
It then stayed in the West Country for several years before moving up to Bedfordshire, then further North to a private Yorkshire collection. It remained here dry stored until bought by the vendor in 2020.
Showing just 62,000 miles on the clock, that’s an average of just over 2,000 miles a year for this great example of Italian styling & Vauxhall design quality.
After re-commissioning but very little driving, the current owner has decided to part with the GTE and tick off another ‘90’s hot hatch from his bucket list.DSC_0058.JPG3.69 MB
Paperwork
This Astra GTE has a current Mot until December 2021 and a V5c in the current owner’s name.
The accompanying file contains numerous receipts for work carried out over the years including the original service book, handbook and other booklets supplied with the car when new and receipts for parts, bits and bobs etc.
Finished in grey velour, the interior of this cabriolet certainly doesn’t show it’s 30 years of light use. The rear seats appear to have hardly been used with only the front drivers seat showing a little sign of the fabric stretching.
The black dashboard is clean & tidy with the digital instrument cluster appearing to all be in working order. These dashes really were revolutionary at the time and set the Vauxhall GTE apart from any of its rivals.
There is a 90s Alpine CD player fitted which has replaced the original radio cassette player. There is the original cassette storage compartment also.
Not forgetting the roof lining of course, which is clean & tidy without any visible tears & the door cards which are in excellent condition.
An added extra is a Fifth generation Clifford immobiliser & alarm, probably fitted when the car was new. Working as intended with 2 sets of keys & fobs.
Looking resplendent in its deep red paintwork, black roof and finished off with silver alloy wheels, the Astra certainly wouldn’t look out of place at any classic car meet.
Having recently been thoroughly polished to a high standard, the body on this car looks great with very few chips or scratches and only one slight area of bubbling showing just below the rear window on the nearside.
Wheel arches appear sound as do sills although these are covered by exterior side trims.
The front bumper / airdam & bonnet generally vulnerable to stone chips on these Astras look very good with a deep lustre covering all.
The roof is in excellent condition without any signs of tears, repairs or wear & believed to be only three years old.
As mentioned, the GTEs have been recently re-commissioned after a period of storage. This involved a major service, changing all fluids etc but also a new timing belt, brake master cylinder, all hoses and the waterpump.
The engine sounded quiet at tickover & when being moved around for the photos.
It was driven a few miles by the vendor to the shoot location with no sign of and smoke etc from the exhaust and did indeed show a good turn of acceleration up some long Yorkshire hills.
Said by the vendor to drive well with no knocks from the suspension.
Early Vauxhall Astra GTEs are becoming rare beasts on today’s roads with the Bertone being one of the rarest.
Still very capable and daily usable, this Astra GTE with its roof down will bring a huge grin to anyone lucky enough to drive one.
Not only is this Astra a GTE with its performance engine & suspension package, it also has the luxury of a powered fold down roof, what more could you want for summer fun !
If you’ve always fancied one, now’s the time to buy whilst one or two are still around, they’re not making any more….
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