Description
One of the seven Vauxhall’s from the Derbyshire collection a stunning Vauxhall Astra 16v GTE red top Edition family owned with original sales invoice and just 58, 000 miles and most importantly the digitately dashboard display they really did look superb in white an extremely quick even in todays standards a rare opportunity to own an such an iconic example. Also very collectable car.
Soon after the Mark 2 Astra was launched, they introduced the GTE using a 1. 8-litre 115 hp (85 kW) engine lifted from the Mark 1 GTE, but this was quickly dropped in favour of a 124 hp (92 kW) 2. 0 litre unit due to poorer than expected performance. All GTE models featured an all electronic dash with digital speedometer. Analogue instruments were an optional extra, but were very rarely selected over the digital dash. In 1988 Vauxhall’s twin-camshaft version of the engine, the C20XE known as the “red top” (due to the red spark plug cover), was fitted to the GTE and instantly created a stir with the motoring press because of its performance. When this engine was originally released in Europe and the UK it developed 156 hp (115 kW) and 150 ft lbs of torque in standard form. A few years later the GTE 16v, now subject to stricter emissions regulations, was fitted with a catalytic converter and a new exhaust manifold, which robbed the engine of 6 bhp, and 5 ft lbs of torque, and added . 5 of a second to the 0–60 mph time, raising it from 7. 0 seconds to 7. 5 seconds. In 1990 the “leather edition” limited-edition was launched, and an allocation of around 250 examples sold only through London dealerships. This special edition came with Bordeaux paint work, and crossed spoke alloy wheels. It was also known as the “London Edition” and featured in a single sheet brochure printed in April 1990. Between the brochure being printed, and the time they hit the road the “Leather Edition” acquired some extra dealer fit decals to help them stand out further from the standard 16 valve GTE. These decals comprise a small three colour flash on the tail gate next to the GTE badge, and the same colours under the bumper strips on the sides near the rear arch. A silver strip was also added adjacent to this. The colours used were that of the GM racing teams, and once fitted these cars also became known as the “Champion” Edition. They came with Recaro seats and door cards clad in Connolly Leather.
