2004 Vauxhall VXR220 Turbo

Our vendor James has owned this VXR 220 (number 30 of just 65 produced) for two years and originally bought it as a bit of a project. ‘I have another supercharged example, but had always wanted a VXR. This one was mechanically perfect but the bodywork was in a poor state, as it had spent a couple of winters outside and ended up with quite a few osmosis bubbles.’

He then began the process of having the body restored and fully re-sprayed, with a local classic car specialist garage carrying out the work. ‘ It was stripped right back, so were able to check that there were no underlying issues (no cracks or previous accident damage, which can be common to these cars) – and confirm that the bodywork was all true.’

During this process James also carried out a number of other restorative works (which we’ll detail fully, below) in order to ensure that this example is now one of the best (if not the best) out there. It has a current MOT certificate (please see History Highlights section, below), which runs until August 7, 2020.

With three owners from new it has covered a total of 20,648 miles, with just over 1200 miles completed during James’s ownership. ‘The second owner had the car slightly modified by VX220 specialist Derby-based specialist MMG, so it’s running what’s called a Stage 1.5 map. Power is conservatively around 230bhp, but the main benefit is that it smoothes out the VXR’s annoying Turbo flat spot at 4500rpm – so it’s not as spiky and more predictable than in standard form.’

It’s also had a number of sought-after (and sensible) additional upgrades. ‘Rear toe-links are fragile and notorious for failing,’ explains James. ‘So it’s been fitted with up-rated hub carrier bolts and toe links. This is preventative maintenance and ensures it won’t suffer from an issue which is common.’

The history file shows that the cambelt has been changed numerous times, and James had it changed again not long after getting the car. With regards servicing and maintenance, he’s entrusted the car to leading SE-based VX220 specialist Back on Track. ‘They’ve described it as one of the best they’ve seen, and would be happy to take calls on it.’

‘All in all, it’s a lovely car, but it’s far too nice to use for trackdays. If I could forego them (which I can’t) then I’d keep it and get rid of my other VX. However, the extra oomph and linear power delivery from its supercharger is particularly useful on track.’

What that means of course, is that this superbly sorted VXR220 is now ready for a new home. If you’re interested then we suggest you hit the ‘Contact Seller’ button above, and arrange to see the car at The Market HQ

This vehicle has previously featured in absolute Lotus magazine (pictures are now in the gallery of this listing), And will also feature again in the January edition. 

Completed a year ago at a cost of £3500, the re-spray has been a real success, as the car looks showroom fresh. Its Calypso Red paint is even, with a lovely vibrant finish, and all glass fibre panels line up well. With subsequent use it has acquired a couple of minor stonechips on the nose, but that’s fairly unavoidable on a car that belts along so low to the ground.

The contrasting satin black items are all in robust health and provide a striking contrast to the body panels. Up top, the body-coloured hardtop wasn’t painted, as it wasn’t necessary and despite this it matches the rest of the panels nicely.

There is the tiniest touch of believed to be overspray on the front grill, which was only noticed when our snapper arrived to photograph the car. James says if he’d seen it earlier then he’d have had it re-sprayed black, but again it’s only noticeable up close.

James says the previous owner had anti-rattle door pins fitted, which is a common upgrade (for sanity) and that his restorer was a fastidious individual so all body fixing bolts were replaced with new stainless steel items. ‘It’s screwed together really well, and doesn’t bang, crash or whack.

The Speedline alloy wheels have been refurbished, to include replacement of the original contrasting white stickers, so again are in ‘as new’ condition and are shod in matching, and fairly fresh, Uniroyal tyres.

Like its Elise brethren there’s not much to a VX220 interior. That also applies to a VXR, although you do get those lovely alcantara and leather VXR seats and matching door cards. Both of which have had some restorative works from a Fulham-based furniture restoration company.

The CD changer that the first owner specced remains, although the extra weight it adds kind of goes against the VXR’s stripped-out nature. Very good news is that the heater has been upgraded. Anyone who knows these cars knows that the standard unit is next to useless, but this one will actually warm both the next owner’s cockles and the cockpit. All electrics appear to work just as they should.

VXR floor mats remain in nice nick and there’s a fire extinguisher fixed in place in the footwell just in front of the passenger seat. The original removable canvas soft-top panel (calling it a roof is overegging it somewhat) is present and nicely stowed in a carry bag.  

With the undertrays fitted there’s not much to see underneath, but the components that can be seen look to be in top condition. In the boot the engine looks very clean with no discernible leaks and up front, the radiator and all relevant pipe work is in a similarly tip-top state.

‘It originally had the desirable Ohlins suspension,’ says James. ‘However, time has shown that they are not to be up to the job. The previous owner was on his second rebuild when the decision was taken to switch to new Gaz Gold shocks. They’re set up for road use and are very pliable.’

At the same time as the remap the car had a few other bits of future proofing carried out. As the invoice in the history folder shows, this included the fitting of an intercooler and under pulleys. ‘If someone wanted a bit more power then it just needs a remap, as the standard internals are good up to 260bhp’.

We also asked James how the car drives and he says quite simply: ‘beautifully.’ As his fifth VX he knows them very well and he’s made all the upgrades necessary to reduce the driving and day-to-day compromises of the original.

His description of the driving experience is somewhat brief, so here’s what journalist Ian Stent said of the car in the May 2019 edition of Absolute Lotus: ‘the steering here is very much in tune with an early Elise, full of feel, light and requiring little thought from the driver… everything comes naturally. The ride also benefits, with a subtlety and suppleness that enables the driver to get the most from the car when pushing on.’

And of the performance? ‘Extremely rapid’.

It’s always nice to see the original sales receipt in a car’s history file and this one shows that the first owner paid a total of £33,113.50 on November 6 2004, to purchase the VXR. Extras specified included adjustable suspension, drilled brake discs, a passenger footrest, a body-coloured hardtop roof, a radio kit and finally a CD disc changer.

The original leather Vauxhall wallet is also included and in it you’ll find an Owner’s Manual and Vauxhall Service and Warranty booklet. The latter is actually a replacement though, as the first owner lost the original.

As you’ll see there’s a very comprehensive service history, ending with the latest carried out by Back on Track on July 10 of this year at 20415 miles. However, you may notice that the car’s first two service stamps are missing.

‘I contacted the specialist that carried these out, but they were unable to provide records. I then contacted Vauxhall itself and it was able to state that the car remained in warranty during this time, which means these services were definitely carried out.’  

There are a number of MOT certificates and quite a few receipts for works carried out. Among these are the MMG receipt for the engine work, remap and fitting of up-rated hub carrier bolts (£2338.98), A Phoenix Motorsport one for the toe-links (£636) and the recent Back on Track service and timing belt item (£632.92).

Also included is a comprehensive Vehicle Health Check (carried out on January 25, 2019, by T H Boler Automotive), which shows the car to be in rude health.  

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to the very highest standard.

This is a properly sorted example of a very, very rare performance car. Compared to this, Lotus Elise are ten a penny. They come up for sale very rarely, so if you’ve always fancied one then now is your chance.

With low mileage, a very small number of owners and a fully verifiable service history, this is a good ‘un. Add to that the fact it’s had considerable recent work to get it showroom fresh, as well as regular maintenance from the best in the business, and we think it’ll sell for between £19,500 and £24,000.

Its appeal is undeniably in its low mileage and relatively standard specification. That’s said it’s had the necessary ground works should the next owner want to up the (already considerable) performance.

There’s only one other on the market at the moment; it has almost double the mileage, which makes this example a good price for an exceptional car.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s headquarters in Abingdon; 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: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.