2002 Vauxhall ASTRA

This gorgeous example comes via our friends at Luden Automotive, who have an uncanny knack of finding and offering some of the most interesting cars in the classic car business. As usual, it’s a great example of the breed and goes and handles as well as the day it left Triple Eight Race Engineering’s workshops.

Let's summarise before you read on: car number 64, low mileage with history to prove, near perfect interior and exterior and no mechanical issues. Proper BTCC heritage, bright blue, touring car spoilers and the most appropriate number plate. What is not to like? Keep reading....

The bodywork, paintwork and VXR body kit are all in good shape overall, partly due to the fully galvanised bodywork and partly due to the vendor having undertaken a small amount of work recently to freshen the coachwork up, leaving the winning bidder free to undertake perfection work at their leisure.

So, there are no major bumps, scratches or scuffs but, as should be expected in a car of this age, there are a few areas where age is staring to take its toll such as some stone chips on the front bumper and the odd mark here and there elsewhere.

This only work that we would suggest actually needs doing is limited to a small area of rust near the front offside wheel under the extended wheel arch that will need addressing before it gets any worse (it can only be seen on very close inspection) plus a small area of clear lacquer that has started to delaminate near the petrol cap. None of this is urgent unless the lucky new owner insists on his or her cars looking as sharp as they drive from day one.

The upgraded black and blue interior is a welcome change from the bland dullness that haunted the standard Astra. The colour coded dashboard and sports seats make it a delightfully retro place to be and while the owner tells us that it isn’t the most comfortable place to spend eight hours at a stretch on the motorway, it is very purposeful and the Sparco seats hold you firmly in place under even the hardest cornering.

The offside Alcantara bolster on the driver’s seat is starting to show some wear, but that’s only to be expected and in no way detracts from the appearance or functionality of the Triple Eight-branded seats as it isn’t holed or worn through. The steering wheel also shows a gentle patina and there are some minor marks on some of the hard plastic surfaces.

The gaiter around the gear lever has been professionally retrimmed using some leftover material from a previous job on a Noble supercar; the quality of the work is so high that if we didn’t mention it you’d never be able to tell that it had been done.

The Vauxhall engine is pretty much bulletproof and with fewer than 70,000 recorded miles (which is believed to be genuine and supported by the online MOT history) the vendor tells us that it still goes very well indeed, to the extent that “it can be a handful in the wet, but that’s what they all feel like” and went on to tell us that the turbocharged engine car “provides a thrilling drive and feels like warp speed when the turbo comes on boost!”

He also tells us that the running gear is all in good condition with the short-throw shift providing smooth, satisfying changes up and down the gearbox, which still feels taut. The brakes are powerful and bring the car up square, even from high speeds.

The steering angle sensor has just been replaced at a cost of £200, and the Astra will sport a fresh MOT before the winner collects.

The car comes with its original handbooks and other miscellaneous paperwork including some old MOTs and invoices.

The Vauxhall Astra 888 is a hugely rare car, with only around 41 still on the UK’s roads. As such, it offers you the chance to bid on a car that not only provides an adrenaline-filled drive but should continue to appreciate in the coming years; after all, when did you last see one for sale on the open market?

This example is mechanically sound, has very sensible mileage and is ready to be driven long and hard by the winning bidder who can then take his or her time to sort the few, very minor cosmetic issues that remain. With the investment of just a small amount of time and money the Astra 888 would be a show winner and will continue to draw crowds for many years to come. 

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in Essex; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.