Registration No: X22 JOB
Chassis No: W0L0EAR971N0001000
MOT: September 2024

• Allegedly the first VX220 delivered, presented in Silver with Red leather interior
• Just 54,245 miles and 1 private family ownership from new
• Recently recommissioned after a period in storage by Fisher Restoration and a great cosmetic project

PLEASE NOTE: The reserve on this vehicle has been reduced

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle now comes with an MOT valid until 12 September 2024 with no advisories

Code-named ‘Skipton’, the VX220 was the result of a brief if somewhat controversial brief within GM to: ‘Produce an exhilarating performance vehicle with totally uncompromised handling’. The overall budget for design and development was extremely limited and the first major challenge was how, and where, to build it. Neither Vauxhall in Britain nor Opel in Europe had the ability in any of their plants to build such a specialist car. In the UK, already proven Lotus had a problem. Nothing unusual, their Elise Series 1 would be unfit for sale after 2000 because of new impending safety legislation. Financially, Lotus could not re-engineer the Elise on its own and was actively looking for a partner to share the costs.

The Skipton project was the perfect match for both Lotus and Vauxhall-Opel and Lotus successfully submitted a tender to undertake the co-development, prototype construction, and series production of 7000 cars over 3 years at their Hethel factory. Based on a Series 2 Elise chassis and powered by a 145bhp Ecotec 2.2 Litre engine, the VX220 launched at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, with production starting in March 2001. The VX220 Turbo was launched for production the following year with a quoted 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 151mph. Fast becoming a very rare find and an ideal "track car" with a kerb weight of just 930kg, the VX220 is still highly regarded and sought after to this day.

Reputedly, the first VX220 to be delivered, or so its chassis number '0001000' would suggest, this particular example was initially registered on 2^nd January 2001 and is presented in the appealing combination of Silver with contrasting Red leather interior. The current number plate - 'X22 JOB' - was applied to the car on 24^th January and has thus remained on the vehicle virtually from new.

In the current family ownership from new, the two-seater has been variously registered to the vendor’s company (twice) and his daughter. 'X22 JOB' presents an excellent opportunity for collectors or enthusiasts seeking these increasingly sought-after cars. Having been in storage since 2017, the car has undergone recommissioning work with Fisher Restoration in preparation for sale but might benefit from some further cosmetic refurbishment.

Currently displaying just 52,245 miles on the odometer, the car is accompanied by a history file containing invoices dating back to 2006. Additionally, a courtesy letter from Vauxhall dated January 10^th 2001, offering a virtual test drive before the car was delivered is included. Both previous V5C documents and the current one, displaying 2 former keepers, are available. 'X22 JOB' will have a current MOT for the sale.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07943584762