The loss of life of the new hatch is gloomy to witness. Particularly as there may be nonetheless call for for compact, speedy, family-friendly vehicles – simply now upper using ones that aren’t slightly as excellent to power. And price more cash. Scorching hatches had been at all times so well-liked as a result of they presented such a lot of attributes underneath one roof, simply as neatly suited for the varsity run as they had been a Sunday morning blast. They will have to nonetheless be a luck, and in some way they nonetheless are, albeit within the type of SUVs derived from scorching hatches. Credit score is due right here to producers like Hyundai, for nonetheless providing one thing for everybody with the i20, i30 and Kona N.

Lots of the remainder of them ought to hold their heads. There’s recently not anything remotely sporty from stalwarts like Peugeot and Renault, with Ford having (in)famously pulled the plug as neatly. Possibly there’s hope to be gleaned from electrification – particularly with funky little ideas just like the ID GTI available in the market – however for a style as soon as populated by means of near to each and every producer the present state of affairs seems to be beautiful dire.

Vauxhall used to be, in fact, a mainstay of the section for many years, providing up SRIs, GSIs, GTEs and VXRs of all sizes and styles. Now there’s an Astra GSe plug-in, and the least mentioned about that the simpler, in reality. Once more, we received’t write it off simply but, given the state of flux the business is recently in, however the long run doesn’t appearance sensible for quick, fun-to-drive hatchbacks.

To the again catalogue all over again, then, and certainly one of Vauxhall’s true greats. A automobile that’s accomplished PH Hero standing, no much less: the Astra GTE 16v. 3 and a part many years in the past, hopes weren’t prime after the disappointing GTE 8v. However in addition to the mythical pink best engine, churning out nearly 160hp along wholesome torque, Vauxhall attacked the Astra’s chassis. The 16v used to be a complete inch not up to the eight-valve, with bespoke dampers, a chunkier rear anti-roll bar, extra adverse camber or even a much broader rear observe on the again. It used to be a correct overhaul, with the consequences to turn it. Autocar declared it scorching hatch king in 1988, forward of the 205 GTI and Golfing Mk2 GTI, no much less.

The GTE wasn’t simply white wheels, virtual sprint and a punchy 16-valve engine, however that certain as heck didn’t hurt its purpose. The Astra appeared nice, went like stink and boasted some look-at-me tech as neatly. A scorching hatch of the Nineteen Eighties wanted not anything else.

Historical past then wrote a story for the Astra acquainted from such a lot of different scorching hatch icons. That gem of an XE motor used to be taken for different initiatives (again when GTEs had been reasonable), they had been wrapped round immovable items (once they had been reasonable) or they had been disposed of by the use of scrappage schemes (once they had been reasonable). Possibly the 16v wasn’t slightly as well-liked as some competitors, however they undoubtedly was observed a complete lot greater than now. HowManyLeft makes for grim studying: it has a height for GTEs on UK roads at 7,600 in 1994; by means of 2005 that had already fallen to fewer than 800. Simply 5 years after that it used to be 180 and at the newest depend there are simply 64 in a roadworthy situation. (Extra encouragingly, there are 563 SORN’d, however you should surprise what state they’re in by means of now.)

All of which makes this situation borderline outstanding. A 1989 G-reg instance in Snow White with the ‘Rainbow’ sports activities seats, it’s coated simply 64,000 miles with 4 homeowners. Its earlier custodian had had the keys since 2010; contemporary long-term possession is excellent to peer for classics like this. Or indubitably preferable to seeing it handed from pillar to publish as folks intention to make some cash.

The GTE has been a part of a contemporary vintage choice of greater than 30 vehicles, the landlord best now deciding to promote as they need to ‘trade path’ with the portfolio. The advert suggests the Astra has lived a ‘cosseted lifestyles’ for the previous decade, and the situation would attest to that, with nice paint, trim and fabric. The virtual sprint seems to be as excellent now because it did 35 years in the past. Because the entrance foglights are absolutely purposeful, the following proprietor is pressured to power round with them illuminated always. What a cracker.

Possibly we’ve transform inured to silly vintage automobile costs lately, however it could also be mentioned that £16,995 doesn’t appear to be foolish cash for a GTE this excellent. No doubt, it’s really easy to search out a lot of Escort RS Turbos, 205 and Golfing GTIs for extra, and valuable few that appear any higher. Transfer speedy, earlier than any person else tucks it away for some other decade…

Engine: 1,998cc four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed handbook, front-wheel power
Energy (hp): 158@6,000rpm
Torque (lb feet): 145@4,800rpm
0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
Best pace: 135mph
MPG: 33.4 (Autocar highway check reasonable)
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 63,596
Yr registered: 1989
Worth new: £9,879.48 (1987)
Yours for: £16,995