Vauxhall supports legendary '60s touring car with Classic Sports Car magazine
Vauxhall has teamed up with Classic & Sports Car magazine to support one of the most important Griffin-badged competition cars of the 1960s in a range of historic touring car races this season.
The well-known Vauxhall VX4/90 began its life on Vauxhall's press fleet, before making its debut at Goodwood's St Mary's Trophy in 1963 driven by tuning legend Bill Blydenstein - one of the key players in Vauxhall's subsequent glory years in Touring Car competitions.
Current owner and gentleman racer Paul Clayson had the car restored to its near-original state in 2013 and Vauxhall Heritage has since provided race support.
For 2015, Paul and the car will make their season debut at Silverstone on Saturday, April 4 in the Touring Greats Allstars race. They'll then be back at Silverstone on April 25 for the BTCC '58-'66 race and at Donington Festival from May 2-4.
James Page, editor of Classic & Sports Car magazine, was one of the first drivers to test it on track, and he said: "We've followed the Vauxhall for two seasons now and have been impressed by the way Paul has developed its chassis and powertrain while staying faithful to the car's originality. C&SC is looking forward to covering Paul's progress this season, and we wish him the very best success."
Denis Chick, Vauxhall's communications director, added: "We're passionate about Vauxhall's heritage and its long and successful history in motorsport, so we have a great combination with Paul and his iconic Vauxhall race car.
"Vauxhall Heritage will be behind Paul through the season, and between ourselves and C&SC we're sure that this car will receive the recognition it deserves."
Paul acquired the car when it was looking a little 'worse for wear' some years ago and he and ex-Vauxhall/Blydenstein man Gerry Johnstone embarked on a mission to bring it back to its '63 Touring Car appearance.
Now producing 140bhp, the classic touring car retains its Lawrencetune inlet and exhaust manifolds, as well as its twin Weber 42DCOEs and bespoke cylinder head.
Paul explained: "When I took on the project I never aimed to win races, but I did want to do justice to what is a very important car, both to Vauxhall's racing heritage and the history of Touring Cars. I'm hoping that 2015 will really put us on the map."