The Vauxhall Astra has become one of Britain’s most common cars – and something of a British point of pride, being produced in the Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire. But rather than being more British than bubble and squeak, the first Astra marked the start of a German dominance in the Vauxhall/Opel partnership, and every one of the 8 revisions would be designed outside the UK. But the car, and the Astra name would become a British export success story. So, how has the Astra fared since it launched in 1979, and what’s next?

Optional Extra Astra video:    • Vauxhall Astra - Optional Extra  

Music (from the YouTube audio library):
American Idle - RKVC
Mirror Mind - Bobby Richards

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