| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1979 |
| Production Years: | 1979 - 1984 discontinued in 1984 |
The Vauxhall Astra Estate, produced between 1979 and 1984, is a classic British station wagon that combined practicality with the reliable performance Vauxhall was known for in its compact family car segment. This generation of the Astra Estate served as an estate variant of the popular Astra lineup, expanding its appeal to customers needing additional cargo space and versatility for family or leisure use. Typically designed with dimensions that balanced internal cabin room and maneuverability, the Astra Estate offered a length around the mid-4 meter range (approximately 13 feet), a width near 1.6 to 1.7 meters (about 5.25 to 5.6 feet), and a height close to 1.4 meters (around 4.6 feet), reflecting the era's compact estate styling. These measurements made it a practical vehicle for urban environments while still providing enough capacity for luggage or equipment for longer journeys. The Astra Estate's station wagon body style delivered an accessible rear cargo area with foldable rear seats, enhancing load capacity beyond typical sedans of the period. Throughout its production, the Astra Estate was appreciated for offering a blend of economy, function, and the flexibility expected by families and professionals alike. While retaining the front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout of the Astra hatchbacks and sedans, the estate's additional space catered well to users who needed extra carrying ability without stepping up to a larger or more expensive vehicle. The Astra Estate of this era holds a special place within Vauxhall’s history as an early estate model that foreshadowed the growing popularity of station wagons in Europe during the late 20th century. Today, it is valued by classic car enthusiasts for its solid build, straightforward design, and the practical legacy it represents in compact estate cars.
Discover the standout features that make the 1979 Vauxhall Astra Estate a leader in its class
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The 1979-1984 Vauxhall Astra Estate, a compact station wagon, measures approximately 4,165 mm (164 inches) in length, 1,615 mm (63.6 inches) in width, and 1,415 mm (55.7 inches) in height. These dimensions reflect its design focus on providing practical interior space while maintaining manageable exterior size for a vehicle in its class during that era.
The Vauxhall Astra Estate from 1979-1984 offers a decent cargo capacity typical of compact wagons in its period. While exact figures may vary based on seating and trim, the estate body style provides an enhanced boot volume that exceeds the hatchback version, accommodating more luggage or goods with rear seats folded down. This makes the estate variant suitable for families or users needing extra load space.
The Astra Estate, equipped with a larger body and additional structure for the extended rear, generally weighs more than the hatchback model of the same generation. The curb weight typically ranges from around 1,000 to 1,100 kilograms (2,205 to 2,425 pounds), reflecting the extra material and reinforcements necessary for the estate design, which impacts handling and fuel economy slightly compared to the lighter hatchback.
Yes, the Vauxhall Astra Estate from the 1979-1984 generation fits comfortably into a standard home garage. Its exterior dimensions—approximately 4.17 meters (13.6 feet) in length and 1.62 meters (5.3 feet) in width—are within typical garage sizes, which usually measure around 6 meters (20 feet) long and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. Owners should, however, check the specific garage dimensions to ensure ease of parking and door clearance.
The interior space of the 1979-1984 Vauxhall Astra Estate is competitive for its time, offering comfortable seating for four to five passengers with a practical headroom thanks to its station wagon design. Headroom and legroom are typical of compact estates of the late 1970s and early 1980s, providing good comfort for daily use. Its cargo area also benefits from a relatively tall roofline, which maximizes usable space compared to similarly sized competitors in the same segment.
The 1979-1984 Vauxhall Astra Estate was essentially the estate version of the first generation Astra (also known as the Kadett D in some markets). Compared to its predecessor, the Astra Estate offered a more modern, angular design with slightly increased interior space and improved overall dimensions for passenger comfort and cargo capacity. While the underlying platform was similar, the estate version emphasized practical utility without significantly increasing the car’s exterior footprint, maintaining its compact profile.
Compared to other compact estate cars of its era, like the Ford Escort Estate and the Volkswagen Golf Variant, the Vauxhall Astra Estate offered similar exterior dimensions, with slight variations in length and width. Typically, the Astra Estate was competitively sized with a length of about 4.17 meters, which was on par or marginally longer than some rivals. This ensured it provided comparable cargo space while maintaining easy maneuverability. Its width and height were also designed to fit within average space constraints typical of this segment.
The turning circle of the 1979-1984 Vauxhall Astra Estate is approximately 10.4 meters (34 feet), which is typical for compact station wagons of this era. This dimension allows for decent maneuverability in urban conditions and parking situations. The modest turning radius combined with a relatively light curb weight gives the Astra Estate agile handling for its category, making it practical for everyday driving and tight spaces.
The Astra Estate from 1979 to 1984 featured engine options typical of late 1970s compact cars, including 1.3L and 1.6L petrol engines. Compared to its predecessor, the Astra Estate benefited from modest improvements in fuel efficiency thanks to incremental tuning and lighter materials used in construction. Performance remained reliable and suited for everyday driving rather than sporty dynamics, with power outputs generally ranging around 60 to 75 horsepower. Its economy and driveability remained competitive with rivals while providing the advantage of extra estate versatility.
The 1979-1984 Vauxhall Astra Estate generally offered seating for up to five passengers, with two front seats and a rear bench seat accommodating three occupants. While not luxurious by modern standards, the interior was designed to be practical and comfortable for family use, featuring basic upholstery and straightforward trim. Seat cushioning and headroom were adequate for average-sized adults, and the estate configuration allowed for more flexible interior space through folding rear seats, enhancing its appeal for users requiring passenger and cargo versatility.
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