For sale is our very lovely 1992 Vauxhall Nova 1.4i Merit four door saloon or as we call him - Norris

howmanyleft.com shows there are just 15 of these in the UK including Norris.

We bought Norris in September 2022 through a Mathewsons (of Bangers and Cash fame) auction. Norris had ONE previous owner from new and has covered just 41559 miles of which we have done just 1022 miles. Norris is nearly 34 years old so has averaged 1222 miles a year!

 Norris has been exceptionally well cared for. It appears to have been garaged by the original owner as the paintwork looks amazing - see photos.

We have kept Norris in a carpeted and heated garage and have disconnected the battery and used a battery conditioner to keep it charged.

Norris has again passed his MOT with NO ADVISORIES for the 4th year running.

He comes with all the original documentation and still has his last tax disc in the window.

I purchased the original Vauxhall sales brochure for 1992.

Norris drives really well and everything works as it should including the tape player.

The 1.4i engine is really punchy and he motors along on fast roads really well.

He looks to have had underseal from new which has helped keep him rust free. When he was on the ramp for his MoT we could see some minor repairs to the underside body work had been done to a very high standard.

Norris has been serviced regularly by the original owner with stamps in the Vauxhall book at 1031 miles in April 93, 1891 miles in February 94, 3071 miles in April 95, 5357 miles in May 96, 12950 in 2002, April 2003, 18999 miles in April 2006, 22503 miles in April 2008, 24264 miles in April 2009, 25918 in April 2010, 27888 miles in April 2011, 37926 miles in April 2018.

There is also a hand written note advising the cambelt was changed in March 2000 at 9432 and again in July 2011 at 28,398 miles.

The battery is not an original Vauxhall unit so this must have changed at some point. It holds it’s charge well especially as it’s kept conditioned when not in use.

There is a full size spare wheel in the boot. The boot is clean and shows no sign of rust or dampness. The boot liner / cover is in great condition.

Norris has both a steering wheel lock and an Autolock gear stick lock, the sticker for this is in the window. I also purchased five period correct Vauxhall wheel trims that need refurbishment.

So now for the bad points and there aren’t many.

Nearside door mirror - Norris came to us with the mirror housing taped together. We’ve not investigated what the issue is and this does not affect the adjustment of the mirror. 

Engine Compartment - at some point a mouse has eaten some of the sound deadening on the bulk head. It has not eaten all the way through or damaged any wiring.

Body work - Is in good condition with the usual age related marks. There is one small paint bubble on the off side front wing and a scratch on the near side front wing where something fell onto him. Both could easily be sorted by a competent DIYer or a professional ‘dent and scratch’ company.

Interior - is in great condition but the window handles in the front show slight signs of discoloration probably from the plastic reacting to sweat and grease from hands.

The front door cards have some minor marks and stains.

I’ve not tried to clean anything because I like the used and loved look.

Wheel trims - aftermarket trims have been fitted and they look ok. As mentioned above Norris comes with spare original Vauxhall wheel trims but these need thorough refurbishment.

There are lots of other period correct features including an aftermarket sun visor that sits above the rear view mirror.

We love Norris but we have been busy with a house move and other things in our life and are just not getting out in Norris as much as we would like to. He is a real head turner and attracts a lot of attention at local car shows.

Norris needs to go to a new home, who will love him and keep him a period correct as possible. He probably needs a service but again he is so easy to work on that a competent DIYer would easily be able to do this.

He is taxed so can be test driven. ANd the MoT ends on the 23rd December 2026.

Any inspection is welcome subject to mutual convenience.