1982 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.3S 'EXP' EDITION Registration Number:...

Estimate

£5,000 - £6,000

1982 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.3S 'EXP' EDITION

Registration Number:  ADV 366Y
Chassis Number: 44CE141252
Recorded Mileage: 42,600 miles from new

Launching in 1979, the new fresh-faced Astra landed on British shores in 1979. Vauxhall’s first front-wheel-drive model, the new car was much more modern than its predecessor the Chevette, with exceptional packaging and cabin efficiency. Later to become one of Britain’s top-selling cars, the car was launched confusingly as the ‘Opel Kadett D’.

A year later, it was rebranded, but both the Kadett D and the Astra models remained on the market even though they were essentially the same car. In the beginning, the Astra was built in West Germany, but in 1981 production was moved to the Ellesmere Port plant in Britain.

The Limited Edition EXP S model was Vauxhall’s first special edition of the Astra, available in either black or metallic brown with an Antique Gold centre section, with either optional alloys or standard steel wheels painted in gold, and interiors trimmed in beige 'Chevron Tweed'. Other features included a transparent removable sunroof, a tinted front windscreen, sports steering wheel, front fog lamps, passenger’s door mirror, a rear wash wiper, and fitted radio/cassette as standard.

First registered in August 1982 to North Devon, this very original EXP edition has been in the custodianship of just four owners from new, the first a Mrs. Knott from Ilfracombe (via Central Garages of Barnstaple). The Knotts kept the car for around 20 years or so until passing ownership in the early 2000s. In recent times the Astra has been well maintained and cosmetically improved as required, a new cambelt was fitted in 2016, and in the last year the cylinder head converted to use unleaded fuel.

A rare survivor, the EXP is complete with original bill of sale, dealer number plates, original sales brochure, service book and owner’s manuals, service manual, bills dating back to the 1980s, current and older MoT certificates, and UK V5C.