Nova Sport Prototype Pictures
Below are some illustrations by Lester Allen drawn at Vauxhall’s HQ in Luton. We understand they were the initial concept drawings of the Sport and its graphics – suggestions of what it could have looked like. We’re not sure when these drawings date from, but as the Brochure was dated October 1984 we assume they would be dated sometime in early ’84. We hope to confirm this in time.
These illustrations feature several items that didn’t make it onto the production cars. We guess these features were not chosen due to the costs involved, as they would have resulted in the car being a lot more expensive and would have defeated the idea of the car being a sensibly priced little racer.
We’ve tried to cover some of the features in each photo, if you feel we have missed any items then feel free to let us know.
Prototype Nova HS500
The first image above shows the Sport listed as a "500" on the door and with the letters HS in the background, suggesting the original name HS500 was possibly considered. How would a Nova HS500 sound today? You could be forgiven for thinking Vauxhall were copying the Sierra RS500 but considering the RS500 wasn't born until 1987 Vauxhall would have been safe. The name points towards the suggestion of the limited run of 500 "Homologation specification" or "Homologation Special" cars. At this point there were no signs of the Sport name that the car was eventually given. This sketch shows a simple wheel upgrade with the 3 spoke alloys from the Nova SR, some colour coded bumpers, potentially even a change of grill and some fancy graphics.
Prototype Nova HS500
The next image above shows a very similarly style car to the first picture but it has the graphics moved to the 1/4 panels very similar to the final production version. But the wheels seem unique here, and not something straight from the typical Vauxhall Parts warehouse.
Prototype Nova 500
Still carrying the "500" badging and showing a different bumper, this image above suggests a hint of styling assistance may have been taken from the GMS kit for the front bumper, or perhaps the original Irmscher Corsa Sprint C concept. The wheels are also very similar to the wheels founds on the Irmscher cars with their 50p coin design.
Prototype Nova 500
Featuring wheels that look to be the 14" Opel Manta Exclusive wheels, this design and the 500 logo that appears to be in a similar font to the Sport logo, is possibly the closest of all the designs to the final car. Only being available in a non Nova friendly offset would have meant the Manta wheels would have been dropped as they would have sat too wide in the arches. Unusually the car has a white rear bumper and a Grey/Black front bumper. Not sure this is a look that would have still been seen on cars today, even to those that like to keep their car as original as possible.
Prototype Nova 500
Lastly a very similar image to the one above, but featuring the 3 spoke wheels again. This shows perhaps a one off bumper that could be mistaken for the GMS styling kit bumper with the smooth grill and fog lights, or perhaps again a narrow version of the Sprint C bumper.
If you have any further information on the prototype designs please get in touch via the contact form.
