It was on this day in 1975 that the popular Vauxhall Chevette - the first small hatchback to be built in Britain - went on sale.

Launched to fit in the Vauxhall range just below the larger Viva model, the Chevette was presented only in its hatchback version originally but was later offered in saloon and estate form.

Well-advertised under a slogan of “It’s whatever you want it to be”, the Chevette was generally well-received across Europe and drew praise for its styling, handling and value for money.

The Chevette was a staple on British roads throughout its nine-year run - over 400,000 models were sold in all - and its enduring appeal meant that it stayed in production until 1984, long after it was supposed to have been replaced by the Vauxhall Astra.

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