Factfile - Edition Number 5, Summer 2001 Vauxhall Enthusiasts A publication from Vauxhall’s Education Service The Vauxhall Education Service Contents Vauxhall Enthusiasts 1 - 2 The Vauxhall Enthusiasts factfile is just one of the The Vauxhall Heritage Centre 3 - 4 topics available in Vauxhall’s extensive range of edu- cational material. The Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association 5 - 6 Our educational factfiles and other corporate Vauxhall 4x4 Club 7 - 8 material are also available to those who have access Vauxhall Performance Car Club 9 to the internet. Simply go to www.vauxhall.co.uk and navigate to the ‘about us’ area of the site. Here Vauxhall Owners Club (1903-1957) 10 documents can be downloaded and viewed later Vauxhall Viva Owners Club 11 using Adobe Acrobat reader. Droop Snoot Group 12 The Vauxhall Education Service also operates a dedicated helpline for those who prefer to discuss The Vauxhall Cresta Club 13 their requirements or receive guidance on industry The 30-98 Register 14 related matters. The Victor Owners Club 15 Available during normal office hours with an answer service at other times, the helpline is staffed The Bedford Owners Club 16 by specialists who have a wealth of experience in the The Vauxhall-Opel Drivers Club 17 motor industry and educational matters. Calls to the The Autobahnstormers 18 helpline can be made at any time for the cost of a Performance Car Clubs Ltd 19 - 20 local call. Increasingly, educators are finding this aspect of the service of great assistance particularly The Vauxhall VX4/90 Drivers Club 21 for student projects. Helpline - 08457 125879 The Opel Manta Owners Club 22 Requests can also be made in writing and should The Calibre Register 23 be addressed to: The Education Service The Vauxhall Convertible Club 24 The Public Affairs Department The Vauxhall Cavette Club 25 Vauxhall Motors Limited The Opel Group 26 Osborne Road Luton Royale Monza Owners Club International 27 Bedfordshire The Holden Register 28 LU1 3YT MIG Performance Vauxhalls 29 Importantly, the service is offered free of charge Club Calibra 30 as part of the company’s continued commitment to The Opel GT UK Owners Club 31 education and the community. The Bitter Owners Club 32 The Vauxhall Owners Club of New Zealand 33 The Vauxhall Owners Club of Australia 34 Vauxhall enthusiasts During nearly 100 years of motor manufactur- In 1996, the independent clubs formed The ing in the United Kingdom, Vauxhall has pro- Vauxhall Bedford Owners Association (VBOA) duced many classic vehicles. Many of these to coordinate special events and provide liai- models have become the focus for enthusiasts son with Vauxhall Motors. who have formed themselves into clubs and This booklet contains all the clubs and asso- associations. ciations known to Vauxhall and the VBOA. If Whilst these groups are mostly run by vol- you wish to join one of the clubs simply fol- unteers, they are highly organised and profes- low the contact instructions; however please be sional. As well as rewarding social activities, considerate as many of the organisations are many of the clubs offer specialised services to run by volunteers in their own time. help keep fellow enthusiasts informed and on the road. The availability of technical advice, rare parts services, as well as club magazines, are just some of the many good reasons to join one or more of these organisations if you own or are considering buying a classic Vauxhall. The first true sports car, The Prince Henry and Vauxhall’s latest the VX220 seen here with some of the company’s historic marque badges. 1 2 The Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association The Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association (V.B.O.A) was formed in 1996 by the independent clubs to co-ordinate events and provide a focus for contact with Vauxhall Motors. The Association, which currently has 27 clubs and more than 12,000 members represented on its committee, is recognised by Vauxhall. Vauxhalls, Bedfords and Opels as far as the eye Vehicle types: All Vauxhalls and Bedfords and Opels. can see, at the V.B.O.A annual rally. Membership: More than 27 clubs with a combined Billing Aquadrome membership of 12,000. The VBOA stages an annual rally at Billing Aquadrome Activities: Annual Billing Aquadrome Rally. in Northampton. The Rally regularly attracts over 2,000 vehicles covering 80 or more years of manufacturing his- Contact: Mr J Ankerman. tory. Now in its nineteenth year, the rally has become a Association Chairman. key event in the Vauxhall enthusiast’s calender and is the largest Vauxhall/Opel rally in Europe. Billing also hosts a Address: 19 Brewers Hill Road very popular Autojumble where enthusiasts can search for Dunstable rare or unusual parts for their vehicles. Bedfordshire Importantly, this rally and those staged by the indi- LU6 1AQ vidual clubs, clearly demonstrate the level of interest in Vauxhall vehicles both past and present, as well as the Telephone: 01582 477156 commitment of the enthusiasts and their clubs. 07947 536221 The V.B.O.A won the “Most Improved Club Award” calls between 7.30pm and 9.30pm presented by Classic Car Magazine in 1997. The trophy is now proudly displayed in Vauxhall’s Heritage Centre in E-mail: [email protected] Luton. The Droop Snoot Group won the Best Club trophy at Billing 2000: some of the members can seen celebrating after receiving their trophy. 5 6 Vauxhall 4x4 Club The Vauxhall 4x4 Club was formed to help drivers gain Vauxhall 4x4 Driver Training: further knowledge and experience of driving 4x4’s in a Driver Training is free to the first registered owner or driver safe environment and to get the most from their offroad of Frontera and Brava 4x4 models. Training may also be vehicle. Expert advice and practical encouragement is purchased for £90 per person (inc: VAT). If a second and aimed at significantly improving the drivers’ competence third place is reserved for the same day, these cost £80 and and help them to master treacherous driving conditions. £60 respectively. Importantly, fees are refunded if the can- Guidance is also provided for routine 4x4 driving situa- didate buys a Frontera or Brava 4x4 within 12 months. The tions such as towing a trailer or launching a boat from a Club has its own fleet of 4x4 Fronteras based at conven- slipway, confidently and safely. ient locations around the UK, so it is not necessary to own a 4x4 to take part in the Training day. Vehicle Types: Membership is free to all owners of the Vauxhall Membership: 20,000 Frontera, Monterey, Brava 4x4 Pick-up and the Chevrolet Blazer. Drivers of other makes of 4x4 are catered for, but Contact: Simon Twaits or Kyra Wheeler are subject to a fee of £20 per year. Vauxhall 4x4 Club Activities: Telephone: 0870 444 6404 Members have the opportunity to experience a range of Fax: 0870 444 6405 4x4 activities and visit some of the most beautiful loca- tions in Britain and further afield. Members receive six E-mail: [email protected] issues of the club magazine which features competitions and exclusive offers. Members are entitled to a range of Website: www.vauxhall4x4club.co.uk exclusive discounts at selected Vauxhall dealers, manufac- turers, holiday companies and event organisers. Frontera V6 fording a river and difficult terrain in South Wales. 7 8 Vauxhall Performance Car Club Vauxhall Owners Club (1903 - 1957) Vauxhall’s exceptional commitment to and involvement in The Vauxhall Owners Club was formed in 1976. The Club motorsport inspired the company to form the Vauxhall caters for a wide range of Vauxhall vehicles, from the very Performance Car Club. The club is distinguished by being earliest through to the 1957 E Series. the only officially sponsored Vauxhall owners club. Vehicle types: Vehicle types: All Vauxhall vehicles produced between Open to anyone interested in Vauxhalls, whether an owner 1903-1957 (E series). driver, or just interested in the marque. Activities: Activities: Annual Rally, attendance at national classic car shows. The Club has over 17 regions in the UK who hold monthly A regular monthly newsletter. A limited spares scheme and meetings for events such as karting, track days and social technical advice service is also available to members. gatherings. The club offers a wide-range of supplier discounts and special offers through its unique access to Membership: 380 plus. over 300 Vauxhall retailers. There are over 30 discount schemes for anything from car insurance to holidays. Contact: Mr Barry Harvey. The award winning bi-monthly Club magazine is filled with General Secretary. product and motorsport information as well as round-ups from the regions. Address: 89 Fallowfield Ampthill Membership: As many as 3000. Bedford Bedfordshire Contact: VPCC HQ. MK45 2TT Address: VPCC Freepost Telephone: 01525 403997 Banbury any day no calls after 9pm Oxon OX16 9YU E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 01295 277600 (and fax) E-mail: [email protected] Website: vpcc.co.uk The Lotus Carlton. The 1937 25hp G Type limousine. 9 10 Vauxhall Viva Owners Club Droop Snoot Group Such was the success of the the Viva that over 100,000 The Firenza, which first appeared in 1974 was derived were sold in Britain in the first ten months after its 1961 from the Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) racer. launch. The Viva’s popularity continues today with the The famous DTV Chevette also inspired a road-going Vauxhall Viva Owners Club. The club was formed in 1982 variant - the Chevette 2300 HS - also with droop-snoot and boasts an ever increasing and active membership. styling. The Droop Snoot Group was formed in 1980 for owners and enthusiasts of these distinctively-styled cars.