Vauxhall Motors’ world-renowned Heritage Centre in Luton celebrates its first quarter-century this year.
Housing a collection of 75 vehicles, which span the company’s entire 115-year history, Vauxhall Heritage Centre is welcoming families and enthusiasts to its Park Street base to see everything from the first Vauxhall model – a 5hp, single-cylinder, chain-driven “horseless carriage” – to the very latest 600hp VXR8 GTS-R.
Sitting between these bookend Vauxhall cars will be a few others with significant anniversaries. The 1918 D-type Staff Car helped mobilise the British Army during World War I, as we mark a century since the Allied victory and end of hostilities. It’s also been 70 years since Vauxhall stopped building Churchill tanks for World War II and recommenced car production at Luton, and the company’s L-Type Wyvern tells this story perfectly.
There are many other anniversaries, too – 35 years since the first Astra GTE, 55 years since the first Viva, 40 years since the first Chevette HS. But arguably the most important is Vauxhall’s best-selling Corsa, which turns 25 this year. Expect to see all four generations at the Centre.
Of course, there’s more to the collection than just production cars. The XVR and SRV concepts showcase Vauxhall’s industry-leading design capability in the 1960s and 1970s, while the VX Lightning shows how this could have continued into the 21st century. There will also be a nod to Bedford, with vehicles ranging from the 1930 2-ton truck, to the CA and CF panel vans.
The breadth and quality of Vauxhall’s Heritage Collection are unique, with most cars roadworthy and maintained by Senior Restorers Andy Boddy and Terry Forder. A majority of the vehicles were also built just around the corner from the Heritage Centre, at the famous Kimpton Road plant. 
Check out the Vauxhall Royal Astra made for the Queen’s 90th birthday.
