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Feb 16, 2016 19:51:05 GMT
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I'm trying to find out some info and hunt down a pic.
What year where these launched and what was the story for why they were released.
Does anyone have any photos from the launch or official vauxhall promotional photos?
Ultimately I'm trying to track down photos from the earls court launch.
Thanks.
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Feb 16, 2016 19:51:59 GMT
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Feb 16, 2016 19:55:47 GMT
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Feb 16, 2016 19:56:55 GMT
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Dammit. Cant link a pic.
you know the ones, black red n silver.
I was just trying to add some bling to the thread.
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Feb 16, 2016 19:59:39 GMT
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Never seen one before. The blurb says that they are based on a Chevette E which is, probably, the most asthmatic car Ive ever owned, a slug with a hernia would have moved quicker. Why did they pick the E?  ? |
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Feb 16, 2016 20:08:19 GMT
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I guess they had a load they needed rid of.
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Feb 16, 2016 20:17:34 GMT
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I remember them well,i used to work at the dealership that brochure came from in fact ! (Bit later though)
I think they were made around 80-82 and there were quite a few black themed special editions around that time.
There was a Black Magic which had a HS type body kit and a Silhouette black special edition too.
The Blackwatch was a show rather than go special edition.Mechanically bog standard 1256cc.It had a wood dash,chrome 8 spokes and plaque saying styled by Farina or something.
Don't know the reason behind the name,they did a ton of Chevette specials some were just dealer tart up jobs and others like the Blackwatch were factory organised.
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Feb 16, 2016 20:25:53 GMT
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When did you work at the vauxhall dealership?
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Feb 16, 2016 20:35:49 GMT
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When did you work at the vauxhall dealership? Mid 90's or so,i went there from WASS in Leeds,it was a Reg Vardy Vauxhall by then,same site though afaik.There were some lads there who had worked for AGJ and they had a mint Viva HB tucked away that for some reason never sold and they had squirelled away in a lock up. |
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bazzateer
Posted a lot
Imping along sans Vogue
Posts: 3,653
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Feb 17, 2016 21:05:04 GMT
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My first car was a 4 door Chevette E. Wasn't fast but handled well.
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1968 Singer Chamois Sport
1972 Sunbeam Imp Sport
1976 Datsun 260Z 2+2
1998 Peugeot Boxer Pilote motorhome
2003 Rover 75 1.8 Club SE (daily)
2006 MG ZT 190+ (another daily)
2007 BMW 530d Touring M Sport (tow car)
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Feb 17, 2016 21:12:23 GMT
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Why Blackwatch ? Anyone ? Did it have a bloody great Scot in it with a bayonet ?
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Feb 17, 2016 21:22:40 GMT
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No idea why but I can remember them too, did they do a TV campaign or something?
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Feb 17, 2016 21:40:17 GMT
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They were desperately trying to get rid of stock as the mk1 Astra was the new kid on the block. The Bedford dealership I worked at gave one to the transport manager's wife of a very famous double glazing company to sweeten the deal on a couple of TM38X tractor units, even told a bit of a porky stating that the TMX engine was made in GB, Detroit 2-stroke diesel.........
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2016 21:40:33 GMT by duggers
Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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vauxhall chevette blackwatchscimjim
@scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member 8
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Feb 17, 2016 21:55:43 GMT
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The Black Watch wasn't a Vauxhall limited edition was it? I had a viva at the time and seem to remember they were done by a dealer or custom outfit?
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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vauxhall chevette blackwatchscimjim
@scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member 8
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Feb 17, 2016 21:59:36 GMT
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Star Custom Vehicles - must have been Vauxhall approved as the warranty remained valid according to this ad (which calls it Black Watch and Blackwatch on the same page!) The only link seems to be the tartan seats?  |
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Feb 17, 2016 22:01:02 GMT
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They were desperately trying to get rid of stock as the mk1 Astra was the new kid on the block. The Bedford dealership I worked at gave one to the transport manager's wife of a very famous double glazing company to sweeten the deal on a couple of TM38X tractor units, even told a bit of a porky stating that the TMX engine was made in GB, Detroit 2-stroke diesel......... You might be just the man I need to talk to, mind if I message you? |
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bazzateer
Posted a lot
Imping along sans Vogue
Posts: 3,653
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Feb 18, 2016 21:55:08 GMT
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Pretty sure Star Custom, being close to Luton, did a fair bit of 'styling' work for Vauxhall, I think they did the special bodywork bits for the HS Chevette as well???
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Last Edit: Feb 18, 2016 21:55:29 GMT by bazzateer
1968 Singer Chamois Sport
1972 Sunbeam Imp Sport
1976 Datsun 260Z 2+2
1998 Peugeot Boxer Pilote motorhome
2003 Rover 75 1.8 Club SE (daily)
2006 MG ZT 190+ (another daily)
2007 BMW 530d Touring M Sport (tow car)
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Lopez
East Midlands
Posts: 867
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Feb 18, 2016 23:32:34 GMT
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Used to be one at the end of my road, I walked past it every day, this would have been some time around 1988. Great looking special edition.
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Feb 18, 2016 23:44:47 GMT
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Star Custom Vehicles - must have been Vauxhall approved as the warranty remained valid according to this ad (which calls it Black Watch and Blackwatch on the same page!) The only link seems to be the tartan seats? IIRC, the E model had vinyl seats ( mine did) as standard. It was the povo spec of povo spec Vauxhalls. If these cars came with tartan seats then, maybe, the company ordered them with tartan seats as the agreed extras as part of the contract with Vauxhall. |
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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vauxhall chevette blackwatchscimjim
@scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member 8
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Found this that shows the Blackwatch, the greanadier and the lux special editions by Star custom vehicles - also states that "The above special editions were created by Rob Darcus of Star Custom vehicles. Rob started to create specials to shift more metal when he was District Manager for Vauxhall in London. He got Hamilton Motors involved and they set up a facility in Ampthill called Star Custom Cars. They did fancy paint jobs on various Chevette dealer specials (that is they were ordered by Rob's dealers in London and not available elsewhere). He eventually got the call from Luton where he did the same sort of thing national" |
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?
