VAUXHALL ASTRA 888 COUPE (#96 OF 100 MADE)

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How the Vauxhall Astra 888 Coupe was born.

Founded in 1996, Triple Eight Racing has been a major part of the British motor racing scene winning over 130 races in various championships and is probably best known for securing both Driver’s and Manufacturer’s titles in the British Touring Car Championship.

The driver line-up for its début BTCC year was Derek Warwick and John Cleland in the legendary Vectra and their crowd-pleasing antics still regularly appear on ‘U-Tube’ clips. However, in 2001 the Vectra was replaced by the Astra Coupé and in 2002 the Astra became the car to beat in the BTCC with drivers Yvan Muller and James Thompson alongside Matt Neal in the sister “egg-sport” car. Thompson eventually won the championship with Muller and Neal enjoying successes and the Astra became one, if not the, most successful car in BTCC history.

Dovetailing nicely with their various motorsport projects, Triple Eight has developed a range of performance road cars including Vauxhall’s fastest ever selling vehicle, the Astra, an achievement which the manufacturer celebrated by commissioning 100 bespoke ‘Triple Eight’ Astra T8 Coupés.

A range of modifications were made to the interior, exterior bodywork and chassis of the standard Astra Coupé Turbo (on which the 888 is based). The engine, however, is unchanged – which means 192 PS at 5400 rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1950-5300 rpm from the smooth, 2.0 litre 16v turbo unit.

To focus the already sharp handling, the Astra 888 Coupe was lowered, sitting on Eibach springs and dampers. Seventeen-inch ‘OZ Racing’ alloy wheels were fitted, shod with 235/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres compared to the standard cars 215 width tyres.

The brakes featured an uprated Ferodo brake pad material, giving improved pedal feel.

The Vauxhall Astra 888 Turbo’s standard interior was also given quite a makeover, including Sparco front sports seats finished in blue & black Alcantara. The same blue Alcantara is also used on the handbrake gaiter and gear change gaiter, while the alloy handbrake lever and alloy gear knob are unique 888 designs. The revised steering wheel trim is finished in blue Alcantara and black leather. The pedals feature 888 alloy extensions with the addition of a unique 888 alloy footrest. Finally, the centre console which houses the multi-function driver information display, ventilation controls and audio system is colour coded to match the Europa Blue exterior.

On the outside, the car wears a unique 888 body-kit, comprising a front bumper splitter, rear wing, side skirts and wheel arch extensions to mirror those used on the BTCC race car. All Astra Coupé 888s were finished in Europa Blue ‘pearlescent’ paint.

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Description

This Vauxhall Astra 888 Coupe is perfect for the Vauxhall Collector, racing heritage, rarity, low mileage with only 7720 miles, perfect as new original condition, full history, one owner and to top it off, the ‘perfect’ registration- T888 BTC.

  • 100% original paintwork
  • Underside as new
  • Interior unmarked
  • Engine bay as new
  • Full service history
  • Full MOT history
  • Original booklets
  • Original un-used spare key
  • 4 x original tyres
  • Original battery
  • Genuine original floormats
  • Original Sparco seat covers still in the boot
  • Garaged from new
  • Never seen rain

We believe this to be the best Vauxhall Astra 888 Coupe available, and an unrepeatable car.
With only 50-60 believed to be remaining, and a large majority of these are modified, this is a unique opportunity for a serious Vauxhall collector to fill the gap with the perfect Vauxhall Astra 888 Coupe, and the rarest performance Vauxhall made!

History
The only owner of the vehicle was actually a Triple Eight Engineering employee, as such this car is quite special for a few further reasons- All Triple Eight Engineering sign off and checklist forms were filed upon completion, and a customer never received copies with the vehicle…. This vehicle has its Triple Eight Engineering check forms!!

Also, it is not commonly known but Vauxhall had intended to supply the 888 models with an upgraded exhaust and ECU map to give better performance over the standard Turbo Coupe, however Opel put a stop to this it is believed.
Triple Eight Engineering had developed an ECU and an exhaust system, our vehicle actually has the prototype exhaust system fitted, and the Triple Eight Engineering ECU map.

We do also have an original exhaust system for the vehicle.

Service history-

13/06/03 – 1,332 miles – Vauxhall
14/06/04 – 2,000 miles – Vauxhall
02/09/05 – 2,907 miles – Vauxhall
06/09/06 – 3,571 miles – Vauxhall
04/09/07 – 4,515 miles – Vauxhall
09/09/09 – 6,106 miles – Vauxhall
03/03/16 – 7,485 miles – Courtenay Sport (Vauxhall Specialist)

The most recent includes cambelt and water pump replacement.
Invoices present for all services also.

MOT History:

2005 – 2,914 miles
2006 – 3,576 miles
2007 – 4,563 miles
2009 – 6,106 miles
2010 – 6,864 miles
2011 – 7,207 miles
2012 – 7,321 miles
2014 – 7,438 miles
2016 – 7,485 miles

All tax reminders, and old tax discs are present in the history file, along with all original booklets in the original wallet.
Finance agreement is within the history file, along with payment receipts.

Un used spare key is present, along with original Vauxhall touch up sticks.

The car has a lovely registration plate, with all paperwork to show transfer etc.
T888 BTC

The car is still even on its original tyres and original battery!!

Body & Paintwork
100% original paintwork as you would expect!

The paintwork is in superb order, having been garaged its entire life, and having never been used in the rain.
A great shine is present, with no scratches or dents at all.

The unique bodykit which was designed and fitted to the Astra 888 Coupe only is without any damage, and the spoiler is without the usual ‘adhesive outgassing’ under the paintwork at the end plates.
A car which cannot be faulted, and is in truly stunning order throughout.

Interior & Trim
Anybody who is familiar with these vehicles, will know just how badly these interior usually suffer from wear.

The seats (which are not available to purchase now) wear badly, the Alacantara ‘bobbles’, and the bolsters split…..
These seats in this car are unmarked and as new!

Same again with the steering wheel, as new!!

The 888 stamped pedals, unmarked – Original floormats are still fitted and in great order, blue centre console is without any damage as are the alacantara gear lever and handbrake gaiters.

Very unique and absolutely as new throughout, with no damage – exactly as it should be – even with the cruise control leaflet still hanging from the cruise control stalk!

Engine
Of course, as you would expect…
The engine runs perfectly!

Most Vauxhall engines tend to tap from cold, and the Z20LET engine is no exception….This one is whisper quiet.

With full service history, it is clear that the car has been well looked after.
Last serviced by Vauxhall specialist ‘Courtenay Sport’ 03/03/2016, this included a cambelt replacement for peace of mind.

It is clear the car has not been driven in anger, the original tyres are still fitted and show no signs of hard driving.

The only owner has loved this car, and treasured it, to remind him of his times working at Triple Eight Engineering during the triumphant championship winning years, so this car was treated like absolute gold and rightly so.

The engine bay is absolutely immaculate, totally original and without any signs of wear, or corrosion.
You could quite easily say it is showroom condition!

Running Gear
So on to the underside and the running gear….

One word for it… Showroom!

All original, even down to the original Ferodo brake pads which have 888 printed on them!
The original Eibach shock absorbers and springs are as new and still display the 888 labelling.

No surface corrosion present, everything is as it left the showroom, with the anti roll bars, suspension legs etc all being as new.

Original tyres fitted, to the original wheels, which still display the original and correct centre caps.
This Astra still has it’s original battery fitted, and it performs perfectly due to it being connected to a battery conditioner from new!

To enquire about this fantastic Vauxhall Astra 888 Coupe please click here or call Andrew on 07932 629046

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