Lot details

Year: 1989
Make: Vauxhall
Model: Nova SR
Registration: OXI 5218
Chassis No: VSX000093K4228991
Odometer: 55,815

The Vauxhall Nova SR occupies a significant place within the late-1980s hot hatch landscape, representing one of the most engaging and characterful small performance cars of its era. Compact, lightweight, and mechanically simple by 1989, the Nova SR had evolved into a well-resolved package, powered by the lively 1.3-litre engine and paired with a close-ratio manual gearbox. Low kerb weight and short wheelbase endowed the car with an immediacy and agility that belied its modest power output. As with many performance-oriented small hatchbacks of the period, originality and condition are now key differentiators, with unmodified and well-preserved examples becoming increasingly difficult to source.

First registered in 1989 this example is in wonderful time warp condition and other than a replaced back box exhaust is original and unmolested. Having covered nearly 55,815 miles from new this example is unsurprisingly in lovely condition throughout. Originally registered to Northern Ireland it was brought over in 2017 after being garaged for some 20 years earlier in its life before a recommissioning by a Vauxhall dealership employee with many new parts including exhaust, all of which were genuine GM parts.

The previous owner to our vendor purchased in 2017 and owned the car for several years. In that time he declared it was regularly serviced and covered circa 4,000 miles, passing every MoT in his tenure with zero advisories other than a wheel bearing needing tightening on 2021. This plucky 1.3 SR still retains the original rear window dealer sticker, together with dealer plates. The current V5 joins paperwork including invoices, handbooks and a stamped service book. The iconic three spoke alloys have been refurbished and the interior is in great order with everything being as it should and original. The headliner is good as is the original carpet and seats with no cracks on the plastic dash, indeed it feels fresh and new in the cabin certainly testament to its low mileage. Once a familiar sight on British roads, the Nova SR has seen significant attrition over the past three decades. As a result, surviving examples now enjoy renewed interest among collectors and enthusiasts seeking authentic, analogue motoring experiences from the late 1980s. Consigned by Mathew Priddy