It's been a significant year for Vauxhall, with the storied British firm being sold by GM to the French PSA Group, along with sister firm Opel. PSA bosses have pledged to make a success of its newly acquired brands, which means that Vauxhall is set to add to a rich 114-year history.

That history is on full display in the workshop of the Vauxhall Heritage Centre, located at the firm's Luton headquarters. A small team work wonders to maintain more than 70 cars that span from Vauxhall's origins in 1903 to the present day. The facility isn't a museum: although the cars maintained there are often loaned to such instititions. But it is still packed with history so, on a recent visit, we took a good look around.

Pictured left is a 1964 FB Victory De-Luxe estate, featuring a four-cylinder 1594cc engine. The FB Victor range launched in 1961 in saloon and estate versions. Three-speed column changer was standard; four-speed floor change was an option. On the right is a Mk1 Cavalier from 1980. The first Cavalier was launched in 1975, and built initially in Belgium, with production starting at Luton in 1977. This is a GLS 2000 four-door saloon version, which was added to the range in 1979.