"The Heritage Centre is home to over 50 classic Vauxhall cars ranging from the earliest 1903 5hp model through to modern classics such as the Monaro VXR 500. Other highlights include the Lotus Carlton, the rarely-seen VX Lightning Concept Car and an original Price Henry, along with all manner of Vauxhalls that became household names through the years, such as Vivas, Victors, Astras and Cavaliers. The Heritage Centre is situated in Luton close to Griffin House, the corporate headquarters of the company. Since 1993, the Heritage Centre has opened its doors to the general public for one day each year giving visitors to opportunity to view classic Vauxhall models completely free of charge."
bit.ly/Ni3s45
Open for free 10am-4pm this Sunday 10th June. Luckily I'll be in the area, looks like an interesting way to spend a couple of hours.
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Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
I can thoroughly recommend it.
An old neighbour of mine (long dead) was a Vauxhall pensioner and involved with the heritage centre when it was based at Luton airport. Now he was a font of knowledge.
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>> Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Likewise. To be honest though, I wasn't that impressed with the place. Basically a small barn with a few models of each Vauxhall made inside it.
If it wasn't on the same time as "drive it day" when I last went, then I would have been in an out of the place in less than an hour.
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>> I would have been in and out of the place in less than an hour
That suits, I'll be dragging petulant teenage offspring with me. I was a bit of a Luton metal fan as a younger driver, I'll enjoy seeing and photographing a few well-preserved cars from a generation ago. It's definitely worth a detour as I'm going within 20 minutes of the place anyway.
I too used to know a Vauxhall pensioner*, hoping to bump into him next month when the Olympic torch relay passes his house, which is local to my family.
*The chap behind the Chevette 1256cc engine. I used to mow his lawn 20 years ago.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Thu 7 Jun 12 at 21:45
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Damn, I have immovable plans this Sunday, otherwise I would go. I have always wanted to have a nose round that place.
Still, at least it will give someone else the opportunity to drool over that lovely white Astra GTE 16v.....
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>> it will give someone else the opportunity to drool over that lovely white Astra GTE 16v.....
This one?
img266.imageshack.us/img266/1288/dscf0008s.jpg
Unless they've moved some of the cars around since I last went, most are packed tightly together making viewing very restrictive. That, and most also being roped off.
Still, if you're in the area, then why not. Having previously travelled all the way from Oxfordshire, I wouldn't do so again.
Last edited by: VxFan on Fri 8 Jun 12 at 00:36
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>> >> it will give someone else the opportunity to drool over that lovely white Astra
>> GTE 16v.....
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>> This one?
That's the one.
I am going to have to buy one of these one day and get it out of my system. Fast, furious and wayward. Love 'em. :-) The main issue of course is that any half decent ones are silly money, and the affordable ones are either chavved beyond redemption, on their last ever MOT, or both.
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A nice clip of that very car being put through its paces by Tiff Needell on Fifth Gear in 2009.
There was, and still is something magic about 80's hot hatches IMHO. If I could pick a dream garage of 5 hot hatches, not one would have been designed after about 1987.
youtu.be/Sf214j7ev1k
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>> That's the one.
I still prefer the Mk1 Astra GTE
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I have delayed coming to this thread, and having done so at last I am on the verge of a heart attack.
No Prince Henry? No 30/98, a vintage sporting car that many preferred to the contemporary Bentleys?
Faugh! 'Classic' Vauxhalls indeed! Heritage schmeritage!
:o}
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Fri 8 Jun 12 at 18:01
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There's a round at Milton Keynes Dons football club car park tomorrow (Sun 10/6/12).
No spectator fee, but strictly speaking no spectators. However the venue is open to the public.
These guys can make a car 'dance'. Well worth a look if you're in the vicinity.
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Did anyone have a look?
Plenty of spectators from the IKEA/ASDA shoppers and wedding guests at the adjacent hotel.
They probably came to gawp at the barking exhausts and screeching tyres of the TWOCers they assumed were hooning it around the car park.
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Vauxhall Heritage Centre open this Sunday - bathtub tom
