On Christmas Day 1983,
Peter Hutchinson had the inspiration to convert a car into a Cabriolet.
He discussed the idea
with his two young sons Paul & Ian and decided to build a Cabriolet
based on the Opel Kadett D (Vauxhall Astra MK1), as Vauxhall/Opel had no
Convertible in their model range at that time.
A few days later when
Peter was visiting a Vauxhall dealer to find a suitable “donor car”, he
saw the newly announced Nova (Corsa A) for the first time.
The decision was made to
make a Nova into a Cabriolet, so an order was placed for a saloon in
Carmine red. Peter visualised that his folding roof design would not
reduce the size of the large trunk or alter the seating area.
As Peter was already
active in his company “Hutchinson Designs Ltd” this was a hobby for
evenings, weekends and the occasional nightshift, and took him until
Easter 1984 to complete the design.
Since the conversion
should be as low-priced as possible, all reinforcement parts were
designed to be bolted into the body. Furthermore no paintwork would be
necessary in the conversion. When installed the T-bar would contribute
immensely to the rigidity of the body and since Mr Hutchinson had been
involved in the engineering of various cars and in the production
engineering of the Triumph Stag, he knew the advantages of the T-bar and
chose the same idea.
Peter could see that a
separate company was required for the Nova Cabriolet project so
“Hutchinson Designs (Special Products) Ltd” was created.
The brand-new Nova
arrived at Easter 1984 when the conversion was immediately started and
completed in the following June. The red car with gold alloy wheels,
gold coach-lines and logos, looked quite stunning. The design of the
coach-lines and “Cabriolet” logo were designed by Peters’ son Paul.
During an official
presentation of the new Vauxhall Astra and Belmont (Kadett E) Peter
Hutchinson parked his Nova Cabriolet by the hotel entrance where it
would attract the guests attention.
When a Vauxhall dealer
came outside he was so excited at what he saw, that he immediately made
a test run and whereupon ordered a Cabriolet. Many other Dealers were
also interested and on that day nine orders were placed.
Vauxhall agreed to grant
warranty on all parts not affected by the conversion and all other parts
were covered by the conversion warranty by Mr Hutchinson’s company,
whereby it is to be noted that no repairs were necessary during the
guarantee period.
Peter carried out the
first conversion in his garage and house driveway. But as further
vehicles could not be produced in this way a new workshop unit was
rented in Portway Close, Tile Hill, Coventry and three skilled workers
engaged.
The first Nova to be
converted was a GL Saloon (TR) model in Carnelian red, ordered and
supplied by a Vauxhall Dealer. It arrived at the new workshop on 29th
August 1984 and was finished on 3rd October.
Most orders were
subsequently placed by licensed dealers who wanted a Nova Cabriolet as
an eye catcher in their showroom as Vauxhall did not have a convertible
in their vehicle range at that time. Some private customers also
brought their car to be converted to a Cabriolet.
The conversion cost was
£1290 plus VAT.
The last conversion of a
saloon (TR) model was built in 1987 for a driving school, making their
total Nova Cabriolet fleet to three.
Later the Nova Hatchback
(CC) was converted to Cabriolet but the tailgate modification was a
little tricky and the remaining lower half was designed to swing
upwards. The side windows made of Plexiglas and sitting in guide
channels were not detachable, unlike the saloon which could be removed
and stowed away in a double pouch supplied and strapped against the rear
seat in the trunk.
The first Hatchback
conversion was on a carmine red Vauxhall 1.3SR model and remained in the
possession of Peter Hutchinson for several years. After fitting a
different exhaust system and other mechanical changes he claimed it was
the most exhilarating little car he had ever driven, with the hood up or
down.
The conversion process
consisted of: Complete disassembly of the interior, attaching the
reinforcements by bolts to the sills and B-pillars, cutting the roof off
and bolting on the T-bar assembly. All parts had been assembled on
separate jigs to ensure good consistency and quality. No welding was
required on the body and all metal edges were treated and trimmed over
to give a professional finish before reassembling the interior.
The roof of the
Hutchinson Nova Cabriolet was a fabric hood on a folding frame assembly
and when down was covered by a tonneau cover fastened to the body by
press studs. The roof systems and the reinforcement assemblies on the
Saloon and Hatchback models were identical, only the tailgate had to be
modified on the hatchback. To give the car a sportier appearance, Peter
incorporated in his design a slightly reduced rake angle at the rear of
the roof and as an optional extra a spoiler was offered and fitted on
the trunk lid.
Peter Hutchinson had even
developed an electro/hydraulic drive for the folding roof, but for cost
reasons this was never offered.
When Vauxhall/Opel
introduced the Cavalier/Ascona Convertible made by Hammond & Theide to
their product range and also discontinued the two door Nova Saloon,
Peter decided to do no more conversions.
Produced
quantities: Saloon (TR) 200
Hatchback (CC) 30
