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HERE is a truly amazing Vauxhall Astra Mark 1 1300s GL 5-door in what I seem to recall was called Henna Red with orange velour upholstery. How pure early 80s!
In actual fact, these very early Astras were Opel Kadetts with Vauxhall badges. They were built in West Germany with the manufacturer's name on the Vin plate stated as Adam Opel. That is the case with this total gem.
She has covered just 66, 000 miles from new with a detailed history to back that up. In fact MoTs go all the way back to the very first one issued in 1984. This rare Mark 1 survivor is pure class. She has done a mere handful of miles in the past six years as, basically, she has been dry stored.
In fact you will probably find that she looks even brighter and sharper in the flesh than she does in my photos. This dark orange shade is a difficult colour to photograph and there is not as much brown tint in her as the photos may portray.
This was Vauxhall - and Opel's come to that - first ever venture into front wheel drive vehicles and the car was an instant success. She is more than capable of handling modern day traffic. In fact, driving her today did not feel particularly different from driving a car of today.
So rarely seen now, this orange delight would be a draw on any show ground. Body-wise, she is amazing for 38-years-old. It is difficult to fault her, save for a couple of paint blebs on the bonnet which, in my opinion, are probably the result of bird poo.
Her interior is superb and a real 80s time warp. She has a brand new MoT until September 2020. Two years from now, by the way, she will no longer require testing.
Looking at my advert will make many of you think that it only seems like a few years ago that these Astras were new. But this is a 1981 car, now on the brink of becoming tax and MoT exempt. The roads may well have been full of them back then, but ask yourself how many Mark 1s who will see now? And that includes on the show grounds.
A true quality classic and one to be cherished.
All my classic cars are treated as the equivalent of motoring antiques. This one, for example, is 38-years-old. They cannot be compared to the wife's six-month-old Chelsea tractor and they are bound to come with imperfections, quirks and bits and pieces that will need attention even if it is some time in the future. They do however come with oodles of charm, appeal and are there to be loved like a family pet. If you are new to the classic car scene, then please bear all this in mind. Most examples have clearly had work over the decades and I cannot predict how much or how little they will need in the future. That, I am afraid, is the nature of the beast in the world of classic cars. Motoring antiques is what they are. I love my Georgian dining table, but I can see all the scars and signs of previous woodworm. Had I wanted a brand new table, I would have gone to Oak Furniture Land. Well perhaps. Demand is outstripping supply these days and they don't make the old girls any more. So, make some allowances and drive away with a smile on your face. It goes with the territory, and therefore must be accepted, that they are always going to need on-going care, attention and repair. Don't tell me some way down the line that the full beam doesn't work or that you have discovered something I knew nothing about. They are bloody old. It happens. They come in and they go out. It seems as though I have become a "re-homer" of classic cars.
I accept all major debit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks for reading, Martin. the details below).
