1978 Vauxhall Chevette HS |

Sold

1978 Vauxhall Chevette HS

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£29,300

Mileage~51,985 on clock
Transmission5-speed Manual
Engine2.3-litre
LocationFleet

SOLD

1978 Vauxhall Chevette HS

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

Britain’s first hot hatch; a rare rally-bred icon.

With the 1975 UK launch of the Chevette, Vauxhall's parent company, General Motors, leveraged a global network of engineering expertise. While designed as an economical family car, its compact rear-drive layout and nimble handling provided the perfect foundation for a high-performance evolution.

By tapping into the pedigree of Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV), whose dominance on track and rally stages was already well-established, Vauxhall transformed a humble hatchback into the Chevette HS. Equipped with a 2.3-litre engine, a five-speed close-ratio gearbox, and uprated suspension, brakes, and rear axle, it was a machine purpose-built to challenge Ford’s long-standing supremacy in motorsport.

The Chevette HS had a limited run of just 400 units for motorsport homologation, allowing it to become Vauxhall’s flagship works rally car. Though not widely marketed for the road, those fortunate enough to acquire one soon discovered what is now widely considered Britain’s first true hot hatch. Each HS was instantly recognisable by its Silver Starfire paint, bold red decals, full front air dam, and wide alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin featured additional instrumentation and the iconic black and plaid trim.

The HS’s potent combination of rugged simplicity and high-end performance made it a staple for privateers, ensuring many campaigned well beyond the car's production years. Because so many of the original 400 units were driven to their limit on rally stages, crashed, or dismantled for parts, genuine survivors are now scarce.

This 1978 car comes from ~9 years with our vendor and shows a remarkably low ~51,985 miles and saw a bare-metal respray in 2018 - followed by a comprehensive engine rebuild in 2025. The car has also benefited from an extensive renewal of its running gear. The provenance is equally impressive: it's accompanied by a photographic record of its renovation, a binder of invoices and two sets of keys. While officially MOT exempt, it is sold with the added reassurance of a fresh MOT valid until 2027.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Milton the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

"Having rallied these back in the '80s, the HS has always been in my blood."

Though the Chevette HS was never intended for the daily commute, Milton has enjoyed the car on a regular basis, ensuring it was always meticulously dry-stored in his garage when not in use. The car is a perennial crowd-pleaser, though its true allure lies in its driving character and addictive soundtrack.

Milton’s dedication to the car’s preservation was officially recognised in 2025, when it was honoured with the 'Best HS' trophy at the prestigious Thruxton HPF 50th Anniversary meeting. This exceptional example is now offered for sale only as Milton continues his recovery from a recent injury. He will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Milton

Vehicle Owner

Milton saved £5,220* when they
sold their Vauxhall with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Following a comprehensive 2017-2018 renovation, the bodywork is finished to a postive standard.

Wheels and Tyres

The original spec deep-dish 13-inch alloy wheels are in excellent condition with Griffin-branded centre caps.

The car is fitted with Nankang tyres showing a spec of 205/60 - these are date-coded from 2017. They all have plenty of even and legal tread.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

There are a handful of minor underpaint imperfections spotted on the offside rear arch, bottom of the rear wing where it meets the rear valance, the base of the nearside rear wing near the wheel arch and the bottom of the passenger door. There are also imperfections on the nose of the car, where the spotlights were originally mounted.

The underside of the car is solid with a clean floor pan, wheel wells, suspension mounts, engine bay, and boot floor. The exterior presents positively, with no panel damage. They fit flush to the body with even shut lines. The doors open and close with ease.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The metallic 'Silver Starfire' paintwork has a positive, smooth lustre with an even consistency. There are a few minor blemishes on the paint, the most notable of which were spotted on the top corners of the front wings, close the A-pillars. The neat red decals have been cleanly applied.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape, with decent seals. The lights and lenses display positively. The trim is correct for the model; there are a few touch-up marks on the red-painted trim, but otherwise, all displays positively.

The fibreglass bumper/air dam and boot spoiler are well-mounted. There is a blister patch on the boot spoiler.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior has been meticulously preserved, showcasing remarkable originality - augmented with a couple of useful additions.

Seats and Carpets

The distinctive red-and-black high-back Recaro-style sports seats, with tartan plaid fabric centres, are in excellent condition with no significant signs of wear.

The red carpets display well, with no dampness. Milton will supply overmats to help protect the footwells.

Dashboard

The dashboard and centre console are in good shape, free of marks and significant wear. The controls and dials are in line with the positive condition of the dashboard, with minor signs of age on some of the switches.

The door cards, interior trim, and headlining are free of marks.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear lever and leather-wrapped steering wheel finish off the pleasing appearance of the cabin.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Virtually every mechanical component has been meticulously addressed as part of the car's extensive £6,500 engine rebuild.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts up without any issues, firing up from cold with no splutters or unwanted noises. It idled evenly as the dashboard warning lights all remained off. There were no unwanted fumes from the exhaust, and the car remained leak-free during our visit.

The engine is very cleanly presented, with Milton informing us that £6.5K had been spent on its rebuild in 2025. This included new liners, rings, big ends and main bearings, new valves and springs, reworked cams, new buckets and shims, head skim, block cleaned and crack tested with a crank regrind +20. The head valve guides are re-machined. The original Stromberg carburettors have been replaced by the superior 48 Dellortos, but otherwise the engine set-up is standard. The car has a P.D Gough full 2/14” stainless steel exhaust.

The close-ratio Getrag dog-leg 5-speed gearbox operates smoothly, with nice, slick gear changes. Milton commented that it’s a little notchy in first and second gears, but it operates as it should. He also reports that the new clutch functions well.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride is set up to be firm, but is surprisingly comfortable. All of the bushes are upgraded to polyurethane items, along with new springs and cups. The car absorbed the road with no unwanted rattles or thuds.

It has Wilwood 4-pot calipers with vented discs on the front, and new wheel cylinders on the rears. They stop the car without any negative feedback, free of fade or wobbles.

The Drive

Engineered for the rigours of motorsport, the 2.3-litre 16-valve slant-four boasts a prestigious competition pedigree. By integrating dual carburettors with a Cosworth-developed 16-valve head, the HS emerged as the definitive powerhouse of the slant-four lineage. While born from the high-stakes Dealer Team Vauxhall (DTV) competition program and tuned for aggressive performance, the engine remains remarkably flexible and reliable, making it as formidable on the road as it is on the track.

Though we were unable to test its limit through forest stages, the open road vividly showcased the engine’s immense pulling power. The soundtrack is nothing short of dramatic, evoking the raw, guttural roar of a muscle car, yet delivered with a level of handling precision that far surpasses its American counterparts.

The engine's torque is impressive, giving the Chevette HS a strong mid-range punch. The handling is sharp, with a confident grip; the suspension didn’t produce any unwanted rattles, and the steering, helped by new rods and track ends, remained tight and provided an insight into the Chevette's agility.

Mechanically minded, Milton has not experienced any problems with the car's cooling or oil pressure. It also has a Kenlowe fan with an override switch as a sensible precaution. It was a warm day during our visit, and the engine temperature remained stable.

Electrics and Other

A Bluetooth/MP3 Sony head unit and aftermarket oil pressure gauge have been fitted.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

A comprehensive photographic record of the body restoration is part of an extensive folder of invoices.

First registered in March 1978, this car is believed to be one of the earliest examples, having been assembled 3 months into the HS’s production. Believed to have been first registered in the North East, it has had 6 previous owners and comes with an extensive history file, with invoices going back nearly 40 years, to the late 1980s.

The bulk of the invoices are from 2017 onwards, when the car became Milton’s pride and joy. A conservative review of the history file reveals approximately £9,000 in mechanical investment, a figure that excludes the additional costs of the bodywork restoration and the bespoke exhaust system.

Recent attention has centred on a comprehensive mechanical overhaul, headlined by a £6,100 engine rebuild and complemented by a consistent stream of investment into the suspension, brakes, and steering. Milton has meticulously chronicled the car's transformation, providing a full photographic record of the bare-metal body repairs and brake work. The engine was expertly rebuilt in late 2025 by Classic and Modern Engine Services of Bracknell.

In addition to the comprehensive restoration records and a substantial file of invoices, the Chevette is accompanied by its original owner’s handbook, period sales literature, and various enthusiast club magazines. It comes with a batch of MOT's, the earliest of which is from 1985, which helps verify the car's low mileage. To provide total peace of mind, Milton has included a fresh MOT valid until March 2027, despite the car’s official status as an MOT-exempt classic. It also comes with two sets of keys.

Safe to say, we believe it's unlikely you'll find another Chevette HS like this one.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
04-03-2026	MOT	51,833
23-10-2024	MOT	51,139
25-10-2023	MOT	50,510
26-10-2022	MOT	49,614
28-10-2021	MOT	48,479
14-10-2020	MOT	47,380
01-10-2019	MOT	46,729
08-10-2018	MOT	45,492
03-02-2000	MOT	43,862
05-06-1995	MOT	43,423
07-07-1989	MOT	41,574
03-11-1987	MOT	39,195
14-11-1986	MOT	36,131
30-10-1985	MOT	31,288

VIEW ALL

Key Details

Year1978
ModelChevette HS
Transmission5-speed Manual
Reg. Date21-03-1978
CC2279
Mileage~51,985
HistoryYes
ColourSilver Starfire
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimCloth/Vinyl
Chassis #9B08RHY114644
Engine #3333948
RestoredBody in 2018
Engine Rebuild2025
MOT03-03-2027
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers6
Tyre BrandNankang
Tyre Age2017
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned9 years
Key FeatureRecent engine rebuild and 2018 body restoration
Vehicle RegistrationCLG 191S
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type3 door Hatchback
Auction ID3563

VIEW ALL

All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

Register your interest for similar cars.

This vehicle has now been sold - click 'I Want One' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

I WANT ONE

Ask Questions

Seller : MiltonL Sale Date 30.04.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

13 Comments

Picador01

12 days ago

Thank you let’s chat once I’ve bought it.

Picador01

13 days ago

Hi Milton
Would you sell the Cibies with the car or separately.

MiltonL

Seller

Picador01

13 days ago

Probably with the car if they were wanted as relayed wiring is tidied in engine bay ready.

Scoobydooandy

17 days ago

Hi Milton who did the engine rebuild and what parts were replaced Cheers Andy

MiltonL

Seller

Scoobydooandy

17 days ago

Hi Andy
Please see engine invoices

MiltonL

Seller

18 days ago

I had cibie oscars fitted. These are rubber plugs in the drilled holes. They were removed prior to advert.
Regards
M.

Hypnotic

MiltonL

16 days ago

Any pics with the Cibies on? To see how they fit, cheers.

MiltonL

Seller

Hypnotic

16 days ago

Can’t from here sorry.

ColinB

Admin

Hypnotic

16 days ago

Hi,

Milton has sent us over a photo with the Cities on, you can see it here:

https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/vauxhall/1978-vauxhall-chevette-hs-2/#gallery4-216

Thanks,
Colin.

Hypnotic

ColinB

15 days ago

Thanks for the pic, think I would have left the Cibies on, looks great with them, cheers ?

Hypnotic

18 days ago

Hi
What are the round bits on the snoot and bumper ? It looks like it has dented/deformed.

Picador01

20 days ago

Hi Milton
I’m keen to buy an HS but have not been able to find a good one yet. I like the look of yours, I can’t really see the rust on the OS rear is it coming from the inside out and Can i ask, do all the gauges and heater work please
Rgds Graham.

MiltonL

Seller

Picador01

20 days ago

Hi Graham,
The bubble is quite small and appeared a couple of years ago and was treated from inside the wheel arch and has stayed the same since and was advised to leave it. All gauges work as does the heater. Regards
M.

MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

Vehicle Location

Fleet

Delivery Calculator

Thank You

Form Submitted

Your request has been submitted successfully and we'll keep you updated.