chevette 2300 hs
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Vauxhall Chevette 2300HS, a pill for British rallies

Light, small, tough and powerful. This is how the Chevette 1978HS was introduced in 2300. A British sports car born to compete in Group IV under the banner of General Motors.

During the XNUMXs, Ford of Europe already had a significant market share in the United Kingdom. In fact, after the Anglia and its commercial success based on the moderation of everyday life, the Cortina came to interpret a new success among British middle-class families. In addition, thanks to the collaboration with Lotus, this model achieved a place of honor in Motorsport, winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1964 with Jim Clark at the wheel. So things, Ford finally seemed to have hit the nail on the head with something basic for not a few European manufacturers of the time: the use of races as a way to encourage sales at dealerships.

And it is that, after all, being competitive in the circuits not only served to test new and more efficient technologies. But also to highlight an attractive and performance brand image. Something especially profitable when we focus on younger buyers. Just those who, in those expansive sixties, gained consumption capacity to acquire their first car much earlier. At this point, Ford Europe had one of its greatest successes when, in 1969, it presented the RS saga. Focused on the field of dirt racing -in fact, these acronyms come from Rallye Sport-, these units took the familiar Escort to new and unsuspected sporting heights.

Moreover, their success has been of such a caliber that they have been maintained to this day. All this with vehicles as notable as the 2002 Focus RS. Continuing the path marked out by the Escort RS1600 more than half a century ago. And it is that, not in vain, thanks to the RS Ford has shown off muscle offering really energetic options made from popular models of segment C. That is to say, a true commercial success in the same way and way that Volkswagen has experienced with the GTI. Achieving a great car without the need to make a huge investment of resources to position itself in a small market niche.

chevette 2300 hs
Yes, it's James Hunt

In addition, the RS are responsible for having garnered an excellent history on gravel stages. In fact, beyond their huge successes in the UK, these Fords clinched three WRC world titles - two drivers' and one manufacturers' - thanks to the RS1800. In short, we are talking about a successful model from all points of view. One of the best sports sagas that have ever existed in European motorsports. And wow, with all this It's normal for imitators to come out. Even more so when we talk about General Motors. The other great American giant with interests in Europe at the time and which, with the Vauxhall Chevette 2300HS, wanted to replicate the triumphs achieved by the Ford RS.

VAUXHALL CHEVETTE 2300HS, DESIGNED FOR GROUP 4

Beyond the British borders, the Vauxhall Chevette 2300HS is not a particularly well-known model. However, there is a promotional image of it that has made its way more easily. We are talking about the one in which James Hunt appears giving his blessings to 2300HS. Showing off his charismatic and casual pose already as F1 world champion after having won the 1976 championship. However, the model that concerns us today reached the market in 1978. But where did it come from?

Well, to begin with we have to go back to 1975 with the presentation of the Vauxhall Chevette. Based on the Opel Kadett C, this particularly compact model arose from the need to find a global model. A model that General Motors could produce and market in all types of markets, giving economic and reliable solutions to millions of potential customers. In this way, it was thought of as an alternative to vehicles such as the Peugeot 104, the Renault 5 or even the even smaller FIAT 127.

In short, we are talking about a B-segment car that, due to its adaptation to everyday life, was destined to sell millions of units as well as to go down in history without particularity. However, in 1978 General Motors executives in the UK decided to step up with the Chevette 2300HS. Not surprisingly, in the United Kingdom the weight of local rallies is enormous. Something that, fortunately, has spurred a wide and more than interesting tradition based on the modification of small and light production cars.

What's more, the fact that the first model with which Colin Chapman did serious mechanics was an Austin 7 already gives us the measure of all this. At this point, Vauxhall sensed not only a small but reliable niche market for the 2300HS. But also a great way to enhance your brand image. Well below that of Ford after his exploits with the Cortina and RS. In addition, since 1971 the brand had been a regular reference in the British Rally Championship thanks to various private teams that, at the time, enjoyed some support from the brand.

chevette 2300 hs

In this way, the Vauxhall Chevette 2300HS was thought to be approved in Group IV. In fact, the first series was 400 units. Just enough to achieve registration in the 1978 edition. Of course, although In everything related to the bodywork, this model did not differ substantially from the one it came from. -beyond an aerodynamic kit very little was done since the weight of the Chevette was already reduced- in terms of mechanics the matter changed substantially. Thus, the 1,2-liter blocks offered in the utility range were replaced by a 2279-cubic-centimeter four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, and 16 valves.

chevette 2300 hs

Capable of delivering 135 hp at 5500 revolutions per minute, this device provided the power and kick necessary to compete with guarantees in the British Rally Championship. Furthermore, the way in which the power of the engine was delivered to the ground was obviously improved. As a result, not only were wider tires added, also the suspension received a new conception with double wishbones. Also, stabilizer bars and a gearbox with five speeds and very close ratios were incorporated.

With all this, the Vauxhall Chevette 2300HS was destined to be a great car and, if we pay attention to British tests of the time, it really seemed to be. However, the sensations delivered on the road were far from the successes given on the competition tracks. And it is that, after all, the British Rally Championship was the most disputed in the seventies. In any case, whatever its life in competition was like, the truth is that the 2300HS is light, scarce, rough and powerful. What more can you ask of a British sports car like this?

Photos: General Motors

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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