Latest news with #VauxhallNova
The Irish Sun
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I spent years restoring a rare classic car I found at a SCRAPYARD – it's now award-winning & very valuable
A CLASSIC car enthusiast has revealed how he rescued a worse-for-wear motor from a scrapyard and spent six years restoring it - before his hard work finally paid off. Rory Clague, from Gloucester, was recently crowned Lancaster's Pride of Ownership winner for 2025 after presenting his stunning Vauxhall Nova. 5 Rory Clague's six-year restoration of a scrapyard Vauxhall Nova earned him the Pride of Ownership Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 Rescued from a scrapyard, Rory's Vauxhall Nova was transformed into an award-winning classic Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 The Nova's custom rebuild, from race-tuned engine to bespoke metalwork, showcases Rory's dedication Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 With only 766 left in the UK, Rory's restored 1985 Vauxhall Nova stands as a rare gem Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 Rory's journey with his Nova is not just about cars - it's a testament to creativity and determination Credit: Lancaster Insurance Now considered a classic, the 1985 saloon - once a regular sight on British roads - has been whittled down to just a few hundred with valid MOTs, according to How Rare is My Car. In fact, the precise number is recorded at 766 - with Rory's likely one of the better ones. During its peak years, Vauxhall sold around 500,000 Nova units between 1983 and 1993 - positioning it as a strong rival to the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 205, and Renault 5. For Rory, the Nova holds plenty of sentimental value as it was his very first car. Read more Motors News Speaking to But for Rory, who has dyslexia and has always struggled with academics, the restoration has meant much more to him than just merely upgrading an old car. 'This Nova is more than just a car, it's a personal passion project that I've brought back to life when it thought its days were numbered,' Rory said. 'Growing up with dyslexia, I always found it easier to learn by doing and express myself through hands-on work rather than academics, which led me naturally into more practical and creative outlets. Most read in Motors Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is Rory Clague Lancaster Insurance 'Building this car was more than a restoration - it was a way to channel my strengths and creativity into something I'm proud of.' The extensive six-year restoration all took place at Rory's workshop and involved bespoke engineering and a full custom build - featuring upgraded metalwork, a concrete grey respray and a race-tuned 1.6-litre 8v engine. Fully restored first edition of iconic Ford motor to be auctioned for huge price after £130k spent on its renovation He added: 'From the custom engineering to the race-ready build, every detail reflects my dedication to both preserving its heritage and pushing the boundaries of innovation. 'What I love most is the intrigue it sparks. Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is.' Lancaster's Pride of Ownership award is highly coveted by classic car owners, as it recognises not only their craftsmanship and dedication, but the stories that make classic cars so meaningful to their owners. The award is voted for by classic car enthusiasts who visit the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show. Yvonne Gosney from Lancaster Insurance said: 'The Vauxhall Nova 1985 is a rarity on the classic car scene, especially in saloon form. 'Rory has restored this gem to such a high standard, and we'd like to congratulate him as this year's Pride of Ownership win - and for his exceptional craftsmanship to bring this 40-year-old vehicle back to life.' Not only did the Nova win the 2025 Pride of Ownership award but was also proudly showcased at the Silverstone Festival in 2023 and 2024. For those heading to this year's festival - which takes place between 22 and 24 of August - the Nova will be back there once again. SHADOWY PAST Car enthusiast Paul Rees is a lifelong fan of the iconic Vauxhall Carlton - a nameplate that spanned decades from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. But when he bought an ultra-rare Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, a super saloon with a top speed of 176 mph, he was unaware of its notorious past.
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I spent years restoring a rare classic car I found at a SCRAPYARD – it's now award-winning & very valuable
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CLASSIC car enthusiast has revealed how he rescued a worse-for-wear motor from a scrapyard and spent six years restoring it - before his hard work finally paid off. Rory Clague, from Gloucester, was recently crowned Lancaster's Pride of Ownership winner for 2025 after presenting his stunning Vauxhall Nova. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Rory Clague's six-year restoration of a scrapyard Vauxhall Nova earned him the Pride of Ownership Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 Rescued from a scrapyard, Rory's Vauxhall Nova was transformed into an award-winning classic Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 The Nova's custom rebuild, from race-tuned engine to bespoke metalwork, showcases Rory's dedication Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 With only 766 left in the UK, Rory's restored 1985 Vauxhall Nova stands as a rare gem Credit: Lancaster Insurance 5 Rory's journey with his Nova is not just about cars - it's a testament to creativity and determination Credit: Lancaster Insurance Now considered a classic, the 1985 saloon - once a regular sight on British roads - has been whittled down to just a few hundred with valid MOTs, according to How Rare is My Car. In fact, the precise number is recorded at 766 - with Rory's likely one of the better ones. During its peak years, Vauxhall sold around 500,000 Nova units between 1983 and 1993 - positioning it as a strong rival to the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 205, and Renault 5. For Rory, the Nova holds plenty of sentimental value as it was his very first car. Speaking to Lancaster Insurance, he revealed how he rescued this specific model from a scrapyard in 2016 and has since fully restored every element of it - all of which was engineered and built by himself. But for Rory, who has dyslexia and has always struggled with academics, the restoration has meant much more to him than just merely upgrading an old car. 'This Nova is more than just a car, it's a personal passion project that I've brought back to life when it thought its days were numbered,' Rory said. 'Growing up with dyslexia, I always found it easier to learn by doing and express myself through hands-on work rather than academics, which led me naturally into more practical and creative outlets. Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is Rory Clague 'Building this car was more than a restoration - it was a way to channel my strengths and creativity into something I'm proud of.' The extensive six-year restoration all took place at Rory's workshop and involved bespoke engineering and a full custom build - featuring upgraded metalwork, a concrete grey respray and a race-tuned 1.6-litre 8v engine. Fully restored first edition of iconic Ford motor to be auctioned for huge price after £130k spent on its renovation He added: 'From the custom engineering to the race-ready build, every detail reflects my dedication to both preserving its heritage and pushing the boundaries of innovation. 'What I love most is the intrigue it sparks. Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is.' Lancaster's Pride of Ownership award is highly coveted by classic car owners, as it recognises not only their craftsmanship and dedication, but the stories that make classic cars so meaningful to their owners. The award is voted for by classic car enthusiasts who visit the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show. Yvonne Gosney from Lancaster Insurance said: 'The Vauxhall Nova 1985 is a rarity on the classic car scene, especially in saloon form. 'Rory has restored this gem to such a high standard, and we'd like to congratulate him as this year's Pride of Ownership win - and for his exceptional craftsmanship to bring this 40-year-old vehicle back to life.' Not only did the Nova win the 2025 Pride of Ownership award but was also proudly showcased at the Silverstone Festival in 2023 and 2024. For those heading to this year's festival - which takes place between 22 and 24 of August - the Nova will be back there once again. SHADOWY PAST This comes as a petrolhead recently revealed the secret history of his extremely rare modern classic motor - claiming the model is infamous in some parts of the country. Car enthusiast Paul Rees is a lifelong fan of the iconic Vauxhall Carlton - a nameplate that spanned decades from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. But when he bought an ultra-rare Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, a super saloon with a top speed of 176 mph, he was unaware of its notorious past.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I spent years restoring a rare classic car I found at a SCRAPYARD – it's now award-winning & very valuable
A CLASSIC car enthusiast has revealed how he rescued a worse-for-wear motor from a scrapyard and spent six years restoring it - before his hard work finally paid off. Rory Clague, from Gloucester, was recently crowned Lancaster's Pride of Ownership winner for 2025 after presenting his stunning Vauxhall Nova. 5 5 5 5 5 Now considered a classic, the 1985 saloon - once a regular sight on British roads - has been whittled down to just a few hundred with valid MOTs, according to How Rare is My Car. In fact, the precise number is recorded at 766 - with Rory's likely one of the better ones. During its peak years, Vauxhall sold around 500,000 Nova units between 1983 and 1993 - positioning it as a strong rival to the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 205, and Renault 5. For Rory, the Nova holds plenty of sentimental value as it was his very first car. Speaking to Lancaster Insurance, he revealed how he rescued this specific model from a scrapyard in 2016 and has since fully restored every element of it - all of which was engineered and built by himself. But for Rory, who has dyslexia and has always struggled with academics, the restoration has meant much more to him than just merely upgrading an old car. 'This Nova is more than just a car, it's a personal passion project that I've brought back to life when it thought its days were numbered,' Rory said. 'Growing up with dyslexia, I always found it easier to learn by doing and express myself through hands-on work rather than academics, which led me naturally into more practical and creative outlets. Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is Rory ClagueLancaster Insurance 'Building this car was more than a restoration - it was a way to channel my strengths and creativity into something I'm proud of.' The extensive six-year restoration all took place at Rory's workshop and involved bespoke engineering and a full custom build - featuring upgraded metalwork, a concrete grey respray and a race-tuned 1.6-litre 8v engine. Fully restored first edition of iconic Ford motor to be auctioned for huge price after £130k spent on its renovation He added: 'From the custom engineering to the race-ready build, every detail reflects my dedication to both preserving its heritage and pushing the boundaries of innovation. 'What I love most is the intrigue it sparks. Without its badge, people are often left guessing what car it is.' Lancaster's Pride of Ownership award is highly coveted by classic car owners, as it recognises not only their craftsmanship and dedication, but the stories that make classic cars so meaningful to their owners. The award is voted for by classic car enthusiasts who visit the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show. Yvonne Gosney from Lancaster Insurance said: 'The Vauxhall Nova 1985 is a rarity on the classic car scene, especially in saloon form. 'Rory has restored this gem to such a high standard, and we'd like to congratulate him as this year's Pride of Ownership win - and for his exceptional craftsmanship to bring this 40-year-old vehicle back to life.' Not only did the Nova win the 2025 Pride of Ownership award but was also proudly showcased at the Silverstone Festival in 2023 and 2024. For those heading to this year's festival - which takes place between 22 and 24 of August - the Nova will be back there once again. SHADOWY PAST - claiming the model is infamous in some parts of the country. Car enthusiast Paul Rees is a lifelong fan of the iconic Vauxhall Carlton - a nameplate that spanned decades from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. But when he bought an ultra-rare Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, a super saloon with a top speed of 176 mph, he was unaware of its notorious past.
Scotsman
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
The most popular cars of the 1980s in photos, including two driven by Princess of Wales
This retro photo gallery shows the most popular cars of the 80s in the UK, including one driven by an Olympic champion, another adored by a radio presenter and two owned by Diana, Princess of Wales. The top-selling vehicles of the decade included one which was unflatteringly dubbed the 'jellymould' and was a popular choice among travelling salespeople, another which featured in lyrics by Elton John, the Clash and the Arctic Monkeys, and a third which racked up 22 million sales during its remarkable 47-year lifespan. We've used figures from the breakdown recovery company, for our list of the top cars of the 1980s. Did you drive any of the vehicles pictured and if so what did you think of that car? What do you think was the best car made during the 1980s? Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Vauxhall Nova - 10th The Vauxhall Nova was the 10th best selling car in the UK during the 1980s, according to with half a million shifted. Among its fans is the radio presenter Stephanie Hirst, pictured with her Vauxhall Nova. It was her dad's company car when he worked for the electrical retailer Wigfalls and became her first car when she turned 17. She says it is still her favourite car, so much so that she spent £22,000 restoring it and still drives it regularly. | Jake Smith Photo: Jake Smith Photo Sales 2 . Austin/MG Maestro - 9th The Austin/MG Maestro was the ninth most popular car of the 1980s in the UK, with 605,000 sold during its lifespan. It was launched in 1983 as a replacement for the Austin Maxi and Austin Allegro. It was praised by Which? upon its release as being roomy, comfortable, and nice to drive. | National Motor Museum/Photo: National Motor Museum/Photo Sales 3 . Ford Orion - 8th The Ford Orion was the eighth best-selling car of the 80s, according to with 3,534,239 sold during its lifespan between 1983 and 1993. Among those who drove it was the Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson, pictured receiving the keys to a Ford Orion 1.6 Injection Ghia from her new sponsors in Wade lane, Leeds, in October 1984, just two months after claiming gold in LA. | National World Photo: National World Photo Sales 4 . Ford Cortina - 7th The Ford Cortina was produced between 1962 and 1982, when it was replaced by the Sierra, with 2.6 million sold over that period. Even towards the end of its life it remained one of the most popular cars in the UK, where it was the best-selling car in both 1980 and 1981, and the second best-selling car in 1982. The beloved medium-sized family car is referenced in songs and poetry, including the Clash song Janie Jones and Elton John's Made In England. | Evening Standard/Photo: Evening Standard/Photo Sales
