2001 Vauxhall 888 BTC-T Astra Coupé – Project Profile

For those with even the most fleeting interest in motorsport, the name Matt Neal will no doubt ring a few bells. Best known for his British Touring Car Championship drives as an independent, sans big name manufacturer support, Neal was a favourite among fans for the tenacious and gutsy underdog spirit that he brought to the sport. Often humbling bigger (not to mention much better funded) names along the way the plucky giant (he’s 6′ 6”!) from Stourbridge would go on to win the BTCC as an independent driver a record six times! And that should tell you all you need to know about his skills behind the wheel of cars like this Vauxhall Astra – a car that he actually drove to victory.

The BTCC back in the ’90s and 2000s wholly epitomised the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” ethos that the mainstream manufacturers were marketing and it was a stroke of genius, frankly. There’s no denying that on the face of it the Vauxhall Astra wasn’t a particularly exciting car, no matter how many Halfords accoutrements you could chuck at it, but plonk a professional racing driver behind the wheel and let them go toe to toe and bumper to bumper (quite literally) with other everyday motors in one of the most exciting race series to ever grace a track and you have a recipe for sales success.

From BMW M3s to Nissan Primeras, Matt Neal has piloted a whole host of BTCC metal, many to victory, but the early 2000s 888 Vauxhall Astra Coupés are arguably the most recognisable of the bunch. Built for the 2001 BTCC by Triple 8 – the now defunct race team that ran Vauxhall’s official works program at the time – the 888 Astra Coupés proved to be an all dominating force on track, wining 25 out of 26 races in that first year. Pudding well and truly proved then, and the car’s status as a bona fide racing legend was well and truly secured.

What is it? 

What we have here is a historically significant 888 Vauxhall Astra Coupé. This is chassis number one – one of the cars actually driven by Matt Neal to three wins in the 2002 season – that has been fully rebuilt by 888 themselves to legit TOCA/BTC-T specification. And if that doesn’t tickle your pickle then we don’t know what will.

With a bare chassis re-jig and repaint in period correct 888 VXR colours, as well as a full engine rebuild to 888 race specifications, this stunning slab of touring car nobility is eligible and very much ready for Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) Super Tourers and other super saloon events, and we can say with absolute certainty that embarking on such an automotive adventure will be a decision you will not regret. Ever. Ask us how we know…

Why is it a project? 

It’s not, strictly speaking. The car is a fresh rebuild with zero operating hours under its belt and as such there’s absolutely nothing it needs other than a new driver and a trip to the track. We’re including it in our Project Profile series for two reasons: Number one – we absolutely love it and just wanted an excuse to feature the thing, and number two – if you do decide to buy it (and you really, really should) then the entire racing experience will be a project in and of itself. From ferrying it to and from various races, to the prep work and fettling that any race car requires, along with everything else needed to successfully run a car like this in competition, you’ll certainly be kept busy but you’ll love every single second of it.

What should you look for? 

This is a freshly and professionally rebuilt and race-proven precision instrument and as such there really isn’t anything cosmetic or mechanical to be aware of. What you should be looking at, if not already secured, are the various bits and bobs you’ll need to actually compete. From race licenses to safety gear there’s more to consider than just the car but there is a wealth of knowledge and experience online to help guide you through the process of actually driving your new BTCC car in anger on track. The official CTCRC website is a great source of information and it’s easier to get started than you think so go and have a read up of what’s required before chucking in your bid.

What should you do with it? 

You could, should you wish, use this Vauxhall Astra as a show car. It is a rare beast after all with just 11 chassis built by 888, only six of which remain. Let’s not forget the genuine racing provenance either, and it would no doubt be a standout track at any event, but that’s kind of missing the point. This car was built to win races and winning races is exactly what you should be doing with it. Or at least attempting to.

Check out the listing and the photos for a full run down and spec list but suffice to say this is a serious bit of kit that’s destined to return to the track. This is your chance to relive a high point in BTCC history, behind the wheel of a significant piece of that very history, so channel your inner Matt Neal and honour the car’s rich racing legacy by getting it back exactly where it belongs.