Highlights

Comprehensive rotisserie restoration and upgrade in Noughties
C20LET Calibra turbo engine conversion with EDS phase 2 setup, producing 280bhp
Understated beige with caramel Minilite-style wheels and Polo GTI seats
Garaged from restoration until 2025 with recently freshened up and repainted
Stitch welded front to back with lead filled and smoothed engine bay
MOT valid until May 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

Lock up your grannies, maybe your grandad too, because this is a 1986 Nova, but not as they or even we know it. Yes, it still looks pretty much like a three-box, two-door Nova saloon; it’s even beige, but the stance and those caramel deep-dish Minilites tell a very different story.

Of course, if you know you know, because the Nova is one of the best platforms for modifying thanks to its light weight and the jam-packed sweet shop that is the Vauxhall and GM parts bin. With an EDS phase 2 setup producing 280bhp and an approximate kerb weight of just 750kg, this example offers a power-to-weight ratio that would trouble far more exotic machinery.

This Nova underwent what the vendor describes as a ‘nut-and-bolt’ rotisserie restoration in 2007. The shell was stitch-welded front to back, and the engine bay was lead-filled and smoothed. The vendor fitted new GM doors and states the build was completed to a high standard before being garaged until 2025/26.

Recently brought back to active duty, the car has been freshened up with attention to the fuel system, brakes, cambelt and tensioners, and fluids throughout. A fresh coat of paint has been applied, including to the underside. Clever packaging sees the aluminium radiator relocated to the boot — ducted from the boot floor and vented through the rear panel — which allows the original skinny front bumper to be retained with the alloy intercooler mounted neatly behind it. Inside, 2014 Polo GTI seats, a Calibra turbo shifter, steering wheel, and dials, along with a GSi dashboard, complete a purposeful cockpit. The vendor describes the car as clean all round.

This Nova is not for the faint hearted and definitely not for the weekly trip to the bingo hall.

The vendor says:

“Extremely quick car. 280bhp and only approx 750kg. Clean all round.”

Key Information

Mileage: 80,000 miles on the engine
Country of registration: United Kingdom
MOT status: valid until 14th May 2027 with no advisories
Technical specs: 1,998cc inline four-cylinder (C20LET), 6-speed manual, producing 280bhp via EDS phase 2 setup
Paperwork: no specific documentation mentioned by the vendor
Classic car status can be applied for in November

Noughties restoration summary:

Stitch welded front to back
Lead filled smoothed engine bay
New GM doors
c20let calibra turbo engine conversion

Recommissioning since 2025:

Fresh paint
13x8 Minilites newly powdercoated
Brand new sticky Nankangs
2014 Polo GTI seats fitted
Renovation to fuel system and brake system
Replacement cambelt/tensioners
New fluids

The Detail

80,000 miles on the C20LET engine which was fitted around 20 years ago
Extensively restored and upgraded as detailed above and in photos
Recent recommissioning including cambelt and tensioners
Brakes and fuel system refreshed in 2025
Repainted in 2025 and presented well in beige
Lightly modified shell including rear valance as shown
Refurbished 13in Minilite-style deep dish alloys with new Nankang tyres
Repainted included underside
Aluminium radiator relocated to boot, ducted from boot floor and vented through rear panel
Alloy intercooler mounted behind the front bumper
Very tidy interior with various upgrades including checked 2014 Polo GTI seats fitted
Calibra turbo shifter, steering wheel, and dials fitted and GSi dashboard fitted
No advisories on MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

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