Peek two Vauxhall's rare classic supercars

You certainly remember to the British automotive manufacturer named Vauxhall Motors. Historically, the company is debuted as a maritime equipment manufacturer founded in 1857 by Alexander Wilson. The Luton-based manufacturer began manufacturing cars in 1903. As quoted by Wikipedia, now the company is registered as General Motors UK Limited and is an affiliate of Adam Opel AG, which is equally owned by General Motors (GM).

1970 Vauxhall SRV and 1966 Vauxhall XVR concept cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30sM3Bu)

Of the many cars that have been made by this manufacturer, there are several concept cars that can be said to be very interesting and unique. On this occasion, we will discuss 2 unique concept cars from Vauxhall that were made in the 1960s and 1970s. And, these two historic Vauxhall concepts that have not been seen outside its Luton-based Heritage Centre for nearly two decades.

1. 1966 Vauxhall XVR Concept

The XVR concept shown for the first time at the 1966 Geneva Salon, and the name stands for the eXperimental Vauxhall Research prototype. When it was exhibited, the Vauxhall XVR which had a front fascia resembling a shark's snout inspired by the Mako Shark II concept car, so many consumers were amazed.

1966 Vauxhall XVR Concept has designs inspired by the Mako Shark II XP 830 concept and debuted at the 1966 Geneva Salon. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dPZqQe)

The XVR was largely the work of David Jones, Vauxhall's charismatic head of design in the 1960s, and included Wayne Cherry, John Taylor, Leo Pruneau, and Judd Holcombe. Besides that the car also featuring gullwing doors, pop-up headlights, and all-independent suspension, and the XVR's unique dash treatment was used to test reaction to ideas they had for the later Firenza model.

There were 3 XVR prototypes were built in total. Where 2 units were glass fiber rolling mockups with no engine, while the rest was a fully functional example with a metal body built by Motor Panels of Coventry. 

1966 Vauxhall XVR Concept is powered by a front-mid mounted 2.0L Slant-4 engine for the power of 100 bhp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dPZqQe)

The single fully functional XVR is powered by a front-mid mounted 2.0 L Slant-4 engine producing around 100 bhp (75 kW; 101 PS) and the car was able to reach a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). But unfortunately, this car was never meant to be marketed and its fate stopped as the concept car. 

2. 1970 Vauxhall SRV Concept

This concept was joining the XVR will be another wholly in-house Vauxhall concept. And the radical SRV (Styling Research Vehicle) first shown at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show. The car has the sleek, imposing shape belies its four-door practicality. This concept was the work of Wayne Cherry, the Vauxhall Chief Designer in the 1970s.

1970 Vauxhall SRV Concept designed by Wayne Cherry and debuted at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Yn9jhw)

Although the car appeared to have 2 doors, in fact, it had 4 doors and 4 seats. The car's controls were mounted in the driver’s door. The car concept also featured a transversely mid-mounted engine and the car was constructed in GRP (glass reinforced plastic).

There were many advanced features embedded into it, such as an aerofoil nose, electric self-leveling suspension, and a 'manometer' to measure the air pressure on the car's hull, the SRV illustrated Vauxhall's forward-thinking technology stance that endures to this day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | AUTOMOBILES REVIEW | CARSTYLING.RU]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Kindly Bookmark and Share it: