Faults:

Distributor, distributor, distributor...

General Comments:

This was my first car, and had been in the family for a couple of years. It had a terrible life, having been written off for being rear ended three times, and three times they didn't bother taking the car. It was PX'd against mum's new Rover, but then they didn't want it, so it came to me. It got PX'd again when I upgraded, and they took it, so in the end we got the purchase cost back and half again, so not all bad luck.

I was at an age where I was interested in repairs, so although probably 50% filler and Curust, it should never rust again, whichever landfill it's in. And did these things rust! Although it was supposed to be Regatta Blue, I think at it's worst it had a grey door, a white door, one red and one black wing, and a lime green valance.

Performance was diabolical, given the ever wearing distributor drive (squared steel rod to open and close points, which would round within months). The only way I kept up with friends was by just not slowing down on any corner. It stuck to the road like glue, given the wide Rostyle wheels, which were the only extra, other than a clock to justify the GLX badge (this was in the days when Vauxhall would charge extra for a passenger sun visor!).

This was my first car, and therefore I remember it with great affection. However, it was probably the worst car I've ever owned!

Faults:

Head gasket.

Water pump.

Gearbox.

Seat have seen better days.

General Comments:

The car for it's age is quick and very easy to drive. For all the faults I had with the car overall it has been the most reliable car that I have ever driven.

Faults:

Distributor.

Distributor cap.

Ignition Coil.

Tracking.

Rust, rust, rust!

General Comments:

This was my first car, and although I have fond memories, probably the worst.

Performance was non existent due to the evil distributor which even when replaced with a brand new one, seemed to forever want resetting and wore quicker than the tyres! The only way I kept up with friends was to never slow down and in the cars favour, it stuck to the road like glue on it's little Rostyle wheels.

Driving position was on the floor and even on my GLX, everything was as basic as a it can get and very rarely worked. The blue tartan and vinyl seats never really did it for me, neither did the blanket fabric carpet. But these were the days when those skinflints Vauxhall had actually charged to have two sun visors, as standard only the driver got one!

Rust, where to begin. When I got the car it was a swiss cheese of regatta blue. When we parted company it had one green door, a red door and wing, the other wing was grey and the valance yellow. These panels had to be replaces as the old ones simply fell off!

In it's favour I could make all the repairs my self. I've never had a car with such a short and nippy gear box since, and I was of the age a Lada would have been fun to drive.

Faults:

General rust in the wings, wheel arches, and doors. Nothing serious, though.

Front anti-roll bar links snapped.

Clutch worn.

Carb had to be rebuilt.

Pushed a pushrod out of place, causing it to run on three cylinders. This was my fault, as I thrashed it with slack valve clearances!!

General Comments:

This car is very reliable, and has never failed to get me home.

It drives very well, with great handling.

I have got rid of all the rust by fitting new wings, valence, doors, rear arches, and outer sills. Now it is very smart.