Registration No: TGR 144V Chassis No: 9B08RJY155226 MOT: Exempt • Rare 'homologation special' being 1 of only 18 known survivors out of 33 built • Correct 2.3-litre Twin Cam engine with twin 48 Dellorto carburettors and ‘Works’ exhaust manifold • Receipts on file for £16,000 worth of expense to GP4 specification with under 2,000 miles covered since full ground-up overhaul • The fastest Tarmac Rally Car of its generation! ‘The success, and the refinement, of the HS and HSR models is almost entirely to the credit of Bill Blydenstein, Gerry Johnstone and the mechanics at the Blydenstein business at Shepreth, and little to do with the factory's own efforts' (Graham Robson, Vauxhall Chevette HS and HSR) Introduced in 1975, the Vauxhall Chevette was part of parent company GM's ‘T-car' programme. The newcomer proved a sales success but having attended that year's RAC Rally, incoming Vauxhall chairman Bob Price decided that a halo model along the lines of Ford's high-profile Escort RS machines would enhance its showroom appeal still further. To this end, he approached Bill Blydenstein who was already running the Dealer Team Vauxhall race programme with a brief to transform the Chevette into a rally car. Never one to shirk a challenge, Blydenstein made good use of the GM parts bin. Following the established small car / big engine formula, the resultant Chevette HS was powered by a 2.3 litre 16-valve ‘slant four' allied to a five-speed Getrag transmission. Riding on Chevrolet Vega alloy wheels and equipped with beefier Opel Kadett C GT/E suspension and rear axle, it proved fast, chuckable and raucous in equal measure. Some 400 examples had to be made to achieve Group 4 homologation and thanks to Blydenstein's ability to squeeze a quart into a pint pot, Vauxhall attracted the driving talents of Pentti Airikkala, Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes and Tony Pond. A match for the Ford Escort RS1800 on tarmac in HS guise, the Chevette became its superior when it evolved into the HSR. Nicknamed ‘Plastic Fantastic', the latter employed fibreglass for its front air dam, bonnet, rear spoiler, tailgate, and front / rear wings. Lighter and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the HSR also boasted a greater range of transmission and rear axle options. Better able to deploy its considerable power and torque thanks to improved five-link rear suspension and wider wheels, Vauxhall's diminutive hatchback continued to embarrass rivals on tarmac well into the Group B era. The HS won the British Open Rally Championship for Drivers in 1979, while the HSR claimed the manufacturers' crown two years later. Vauxhall were supposed to build 50 HSR cars but Blydenstein's Shepreth-based outfit only managed to complete 34. The merger between Dealer Team Vauxhall and Dealer Opel Team saw the newly formed GM Dealer Sport switch its attention to the Opel Manta 400 which was a pity because Blydenstein was working on a 2.6 litre HSR which he felt could have changed the face of rallying! Chassis ‘155226’ remained in road car guise for just the first two years of its life before being converted to full rally competition specification, being campaigned across Belgium and the UK. Over the following years, the Chevette was sold and at some stage had the engine and gearbox removed. Purchased by the vendor as a rolling shell, the vendor embarked on a comprehensive restoration in 2020 using the correct type engine and gearbox, with numerous of the restoration and build work photographed on file. Built to FIA Historic GP4 Regulations, ‘TGR 144V’ was taken back to a bare shell, with all the rust removed, a new rear tub welded in and the shell strengthened, with the exhaust tunnel grafted in as per works cars before full bare metal re-paint, and a period cage fitted. Propelled by the correct type 2,300cc Twin-Cam engine, fully lightened and balanced, with Twin 48-Dellortos carburettors, ‘Works’ engine mounts, ‘Works’ exhaust manifold, all new ancillaries, alloy radiator, electric fan, and new cam belt, allied to the Getrag five-speed ‘Dog Leg’ gearbox as used in the Works cars in period. A heavy-duty competition clutch is fitted with Works type bias pedal box, and the ZF Limited Slip Differential (5.1 CWP) which has recently been overhauled. Stopping power is provided by AP Monte Carlo forest front brakes and on the Atlas fully floating rear axle, again, correct AP racing rear calipers are utilised. All the fuel and brake lines run inside the car using braided hoses with alloy or stainless steel fittings, along with an electric fuel pump and period rally wiring loom. Works type rose jointed bottom arms are fitted, as well as heavy-duty front hubs and a quick steering rack. Inside, the HSR features a Co-Drivers footrest, plumbed-in fire extinguisher (albeit needing a service), hand-held fire extinguisher, Monit Rally trip meter, OMP seats and Hans type harnesses (both in date until 2027). Riding on four nearly new Minilte-style 6x13 Revolution Wheels, they are shod with Toyo tyres, with the external appearance completed by the essential four Cibie Oscar's spotlights. With just 2,000 miles covered since the full overhaul with receipts on file for £16,000 worth of expense, the Chevette is accompanied by a spare set of headlights and a set of front brake pads. Genuine HSR FIA specification cars rarely come to market, and this example has invites to events all over Europe, and since completion has had a 100% finishing record on the five events it has competed in (two rallies and three hillclimbs), making it one very much worth considering! For more information, please contact: Paul Cheetham paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk 07538 667452
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