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1966 Vauxhall XVR

1966 Vauxhall XVR

In a bid to improve Vauxhall’s sporting image the design center in Luton, England produced the Xperimental Vauxhall Research (VXR) prototype.

Wayne Cherry from GM was sent to Vauxhall in 1965. As a design director he was responsible to make the VXR showcar in just five months. David Jones was responsible for styling the car.

The result was a low-slung two-seater that took styling cues from the Corvette and was only 40 inches high. It had massive gullwing doors and a split wraparound front window that was integrated into the doors.

Cherry said “Thee cars were built, one in steel and two in glassfibre. The metal car was the one built for Geneva. Its bodywork was shaped by Motor Panels in Coventry, working from a solid glassfibre model that we painted a dark gloss. The show car was finished in a very dark green, like a British Racing Green.”

1966 Vauxhall XVR 1966 Vauxhall XVR 1966 Vauxhall XVR

After the show, the metal car was registered HXD929D and was shown to the press on Vauxhall’s own test track.

The fiberglass cars were only mockups. It is one of these that survives after being discovered in the roof of the Vauxhall styling studio. The completely functional Geneva show car was destroyed.

In Detail

type Concept / Prototype Car
released at 1966 Geneva Show
body stylist David Jones
production 3
engine VX4/90 Inline-4
valvetrain OHV
fuel feed Twin Carburettors
displacement 1594 cc / 97.27 in³
power 52.9 kw / 71 bhp
specific output 44.54 bhp per litre
transmission 4-Speed Manual