Lot details
Registration No: T441CEN
Chassis No: W0L0SBF08W4354833
Mot Expiry: Nov 2011

The Corsa name first graced a Vauxhall in 1993 and was the company's replacement for the Nova. So began a series of superminis that are still available today and which have frequently outsold all their competitors. A joint venture between Vauxhall and several of its larger UK dealers, the Corsa 1.4 Special Edition Cabriolet was introduced in 1998. Based on the standard three-door hatchback bodyshell of the time, its ingenious two-piece roof comprised a detachable 'targa' panel above the front passengers and foldable 'hood' from the B-post back. A proper four-seater, the Cabriolet was equipped with power steering, central locking, five-speed manual transmission and a 1.4i (Hi-Torq) engine as standard. Options included: an automatic gearbox, alloy wheels and black or metallic paint. Mindful of buyers' safety concerns, the car also benefited from a padded roll cage, lockable glove box, electronic engine immobiliser, seatbelt pretensioners and side-impact door bars. Keenly priced at £11,845, the model was reputedly capable of 93 mph, 0-60 mph in 14 seconds and a combined 38.2 mpg. Yet for all its advantages the Corsa Cabriolet proved to be such a slow seller that Vauxhall pulled the plug on it in 1999. Hence, according to Ron Goddard of the Vauxhall Convertible Car Club, 'only 100 or so were ever offered in the UK'. Needless to say, that rarity value is now a fundamental part of their attraction.

The right-hand drive Corsa Cabriolet on offer was manufactured in 1999 and is finished in Black with a grey cloth interior. Its specification includes: five-speed manual transmission, power-assisted steering, central locking, alloy wheels, immobilizer and RDS radio/CD player. The vendor informs us that new windows have recently been professionally fitted to the soft top and that the Corsa comes complete with service history and all MOT certificates from new. He regards the coachwork, paintwork, engine, transmission, and interior as "good/excellent". The rare baby Vauxhall is MOT'd into November of next year, so is all set provide its next owner with plenty of pleasurable motoring as soon as the winter is past. This could well be the car for anybody seeking affordable wind-in-the-hair motoring coupled with relatively modern mechanicals.