HIGHLIGHTS

Smart Vauxhall coupé with just three owners from new
Immaculate beige leather interior
Freshly serviced with new ABS pump
Last Edition model

THE APPEAL

Aerodynamics were big news in the car industry throughout the 1980s, as traditionally boxy saloons gave way to a sleek, curvaceous new era of streamlined, slippery shapes.

But the most aerodynamic car of the decade didn’t come from an exotic sports car manufacturer, but rather one that was renowned for making high volume fleet cars and family hatchbacks – Vauxhall.

The Calibra was styled by Anglo-American designer Wayne Cherry and was based on the Cavalier floorpan, meaning it was inexpensive to develop and affordable to buy and run. The 2.0 16v was the most popular of the lot, powered by GM’s Ecotec engine. It was a lively car to drive and a stunning one to look at – and indeed it still is today.

This example is a genuine unrestored and unmodified example, having had only three owners from new, with a substantial service file and a recent fresh MOT.

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THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

First registered in January 1997
Three previous keepers
UK V5C
MOT November 2023
Fully stamped service book up to 111,297 miles in 2016
Recently recommissioned and fully serviced
Some receipts and invoices for work carried out
Lots of recent new parts
Original book pack and manuals in leather manufacturer’s wallet
HPI clear

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THE INTERIOR

Beige leather seats with matching door cards and pale beige carpets
Heated front seats
JVC CD stereo
White sports dials
Seats, carpets and trim in excellent order
Electric windows, mirrors and sunroof
Power steering
Central locking with security deadlocks
Original spare wheel and tool kit
Very well presented
Some sun damage cracks to upper moulding of dashboard

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THE EXTERIOR

Unusual ‘North Cape’ metallic – switches between blue, mauve and grey depending on sunlight
Original factory alloys with nearly new tyres all-round
Seemingly excellent underneath – no evidence of welding
Very good overall condition
No dents or panel damage
Minor microblisters on rear quarter – previous paint repair
Some minor marks and paint chips but nothing substantial
Both rear badges slightly damaged
One plastic jacking point cover missing

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THE MECHANICS

2.0-litre 16v Ecotec engine
Five-speed manual transmission
Very well maintained
Advisory-free MOT
Recent comprehensive service in November 2022
New ABS rings and sensors
Refurbished ABS pump and system
Drives very well with no warning lights or untoward noises

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SUMMARY

Striking and inarguably stylish, the Calibra reinvigorated the two-door coupé market in the late eighties and early nineties, and booming nostalgia for the era means it’s a car that’s in pretty high demand today.

The challenge, though, is finding one that hasn’t gone rusty and hasn’t been modified. This one ticks both of those boxes – it’s a great example of an unmodified Calibra in a luscious specification and in a rare and desirable colour scheme. There’s a lot here to like?

Notice to bidders

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