40 YEARS OLD – THE VAUXHALL ASTRA MK.2

When Vauxhall launched the second-generation Astra on 17th October 1984, its main challenge was - “How we follow such a success?” In the first 9 months of that year, the 293,545 combined Opel Kadett and Astra sales represented 21% of all GM Europe’s car sales. The answer, as illustrated by this 1988 1.3 Merit Estate offered for sale by Midland Automotive Group was to improve on the basic formula.

One of the Mk. 2’s major talking points was its appearance - “The Vauxhall Astra hatchback and estate bodies are completely new from bumper to bumper”, Autocar noted. It added: “Several people commented that the new Astra looks like a concept car”. They also pointed out the hatchback had “a drag coefficient of 0.32, while the Estate version has a figure of 0.35”.

The Observer wondered: “Do the buying public want cars which look so softly moulded in shape? Many drivers complain of not being sure of where the edges are”. Your friendly local dealer would probably quell such worries as well as inform you the Astra Mk. 2’s bodywork resulted in enhanced performance and economy. Shortly after its introduction, Vauxhall received 40,000 orders.

The Astra debuted a year ahead of schedule – Vauxhall’s chairman told the press: “We wanted greater competitiveness”. The press reported Vauxhall invested £150m in Ellesmere Port for “a new robotized system blending computers and robots and sub-assembly-carrying driverless vehicles dubbed ‘robots’”. The company planned to build 50% more Astras than before, partially to compensate for the recent demise of the Chevette.

Buyers had a choice of 17 models and the Astra Mk.2 was voted 1985 Car of the Year. Naturally, it was GTE that attracted most of the press attention; Motor Sport, even if they compared the styling to “a red blancmange”, praised the “Pleasant close ratio 5-speed gearbox, a firm, sporty, ride and superb roadholding. The one thing we did not like was the LCD instruments but understand that an analogue dashboard will also be available. This car is an outstanding addition to the “hot hatchback” class.”

Autocar believed: “the GTE corners superbly by front-drive standards, with a little roll and excellent throttle behaviour”. However, versions such as this Merit Estate represented the bulk of Astra sales. It was ordered from Signpost Motors of Trowbridge for £7,443.58, including the optional Metallic Neptune Blue paintwork and etched windows. The first owner, a Miss Benger, part-exchanged her 1979 Chrysler Hunter, for the Astra Mk.2 Estate described by The Telegraph as “more useful” than its predecessor, “without being awkwardly big outside”.

The Astra Mk.2 is fast vanishing from our roads, and it deserves to be remembered as a key Vauxhall. And it is almost impossible to believe that only five years separated its launch from the last HC-series Viva.

With thanks to www.midlandautomotivegroup.co.uk for their time and for the permission to use the images in this blog.