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1995

Vauxhall Vectra

The last car built at Luton.

N95 VEC
Vauxhall Vectra
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

The Vectra replaced the much-loved Cavalier as the motorway rep's standard issue. It was smooth-shaped, safe and well equipped, though road testers found it dull to drive. It sold in huge numbers all the same.

Inside

Grey but solid, with comfortable seats for long days on the road.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Flame Red
Did you know?

When the last one left the line in March 2002, car making at Luton ended after 97 years. The door mirrors were shaped to blend into the bonnet line.

Meanwhile, in 1995

Blur and Oasis fought the battle of Britpop.

Best-selling single of 1995: Unchained Melody by Robson & Jerome

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1990s car

  • On petrol engines, check the cooling system and any sign of head gasket trouble.
  • Ask when the timing belt was last changed, where fitted.
  • Parts for mass-market cars are widely available; specialist and low-volume models can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

Toyota Avensis1997 · 124 mphCompare
Nissan Primera1990 · 121 mphCompare

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 020406080100120140 MPH
121 mph
First builtAutumn 1995
Age today31 years since launch
Built atLuton, Bedfordshire
On sale1995–2002
Years in production7 years
Number madeHundreds of thousands at Luton
Kerb weight1,200 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy35 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine1.8-litre 16-valve four
Power113 bhp
Top speed121 mph
Speed rankingJoint 79th fastest of 164
0–60 mph11 seconds
Price when newFrom about £12,000
In today's moneyAbout £30,000
Designed byOpel and Vauxhall

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.