This Vauxhall Astra was Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Car and Vauxhall Motors is delighted to now offer this piece of motoring history for auction with all proceeds donated to BEN

With an estimated 350 million views in 170 different countries per week, BBC Top Gear was one of the most popular TV shows in the world.  As per BBC Top Gear tradition, the Vauxhall Astra was initiated with a star-studded barbeque, featuring celebrities including comedians Jimmy Carr and Warwick Davis, and singers Brian Johnson and Joss Stone.  It was Top Gear’s fourth reasonably priced car from 2014.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bidders should be aware that the airbags have all been disabled making room for the roll-cage.  To re-instate the airbags would involve removing the roll-cage and seating.  So, in its current state, the car is not type-approved and should not be driven on the road.  The Vauxhall Technical Team will work with the successful bidder at handover to fully explain how the vehicle has been adapted. Please be aware converting the vehicle back into use on the public highway would incur significant cost.

Since then, celebrities such as Olly Murs who topped the leader board, Margot Robbie, Ron Howard and James Blunt all thrashed it around the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Park, Surrey.

WHAT ARE YOU BIDDING ON?

The five-door hatchback is a Tech Line model with an 115bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine in Power Red.

·         Mileage – 2,908

·         17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels

·         Sat-nav system with seven-inch colour monitor

·         Three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel

·         Multi-function trip computer

·         USB connection with iPod control

·         Mobile phone system with Bluetooth

·         Digital radio with six premium speakers

·         Chrome-effect exterior side window surround

·         Front Corbeau Sprint Racing seats with 5 point safety belt harness and full roll-cage

BBC TOP GEAR’S REASONABLY PRICED CAR LEADERBOARD

1:44.6 – Olly Murs

1:44.7 – Nicholas Hoult

1:44.7 – Aaron Paul

1:45.1 – Brian Johnson

1:45.6 – Jimmy Carr

1:46.1 – Hugh Jackman

1:46.7 – David Haye

1:46.8 – Warwick Davis

1:47.1 – Margot Robbie

1:47.2 – Will Smith

1.47.8 – Benedict Cumberbatch

1:48.5 – Rachel Riley

1:48.5 – Gillian Anderson

1:48.8 – Charles Dance

1:48.9 – Joss Stone

1:49.2 – Kiefer Sutherland (wet)

1:49.4 – James Blunt (very very wet)

1:49.9 – Ron Howard

1:49.9 – Tom Hiddleston (very wet)

1:50.1 – Hugh Bonneville (wet)

1:51.0 – Steven Tyler

1:51.5 – Mike Rutherford

1:54.3 - Ed Sheeran (automatic) (wet)

1.54.5 – Jack Whitehall (automatic)