2008 ETV Coupé

We know very little about it, other than that it is LHD and based on a 2008 Chevrolet - VIN: 1G1AL58F587316250. It has around 31,000 on the odometer.

This car is offered for sale on instruction of a high court ruling.

Underneath all the sculpted bodywork is, we think, a Chevrolet Aveo (although there’s a Chevy Cobalt manual inside it), with that car’s 1.6 litre four cylinder engine and running gear.

That said, according to a YouTube video about (we believe) this actual car, it has a 2.2 litre Ecotec engine.

We don’t know. It might have. Either way, the engine starts and runs.

The video was made by and stars ‘X Elo’, an ex-model and self-styled aficionado of automotive exotica and esoterica who founded the London Motor Museum – this car’s home for several years until the museum went bust.

Another claim made in the video is that these ETV vehicles were originally designed and built to feature in the film I, Robot, starring Will Smith in the days before he used to slap people at awards ceremonies.

Fans of the film and Mr. Smith will have noticed that they didn’t appear in I, Robot for, well, some reason or other.

In the video the car is wearing Washington State licence plates. We have a document registering it as a Florida car in the ownership of the man who built it, Mike Vetter, in 2010.

The car has front and rear cameras to assist parking (not currently working) and is fitted with an air ride suspension system for driving on roads with speed humps, etc. This suspension system is also not currently working.

Anyway. With a little gentle recommissioning this should become a working, drivable car without too much effort or expense.

It’s metallic red and it looks a bit like an egg.

The bodywork is in pretty good condition. There are a few scratches here and there but, as it’s been a museum piece for years, it’s largely untroubled by time or use.

The wheels seem decent and the most of the trim and badging appears to be present and ‘correct’.

We have nothing to compare it with so it’s difficult to say if this is a ‘good example’ of the model.

The ‘porthole’ windows are not currently in place and there are extensive marks left by what we think is adhesive tape around

Once you’re past the gull-wing doors with their porthole windows, you’ll find yourself sitting inside nothing more exotic than a 2008 Chevrolet, with all the switchgear, fixtures and fittings you’d expect to find.

It seems to be pretty much intact. Some of it is a bit scruffy. All, some or none of it might be working perfectly. It’s hard to say.

Behind the front seats is a space of indeterminate function or specification.

You could, perhaps, use it as a place to put things.

Who knows?

We can’t see anything that overly troubles us either underneath or in the engine bay.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions.

We know it’s been in a ‘museum’ for quite a few years and we know that it has been a running, working vehicle at some point in the not-too-distant past.

The car has neither a current MoT certificate nor any history or service records.

We think this could be the ideal vehicle for someone who’d really like one of these.

It’s in perfectly serviceable condition. Beyond a few cosmetic considerations it doesn’t have any major issues that we can see (with the proviso that we don’t really know what we’re looking at), and it has a certain charm that will no doubt appeal to someone.

We’re confident that you could have this up and running in no time. We’re equally confident that you’ll never find yourself parked next to another one at Sainsburys.

It is what it is.

Whatever that is.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with no reserve and an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £15,000.

The car is located at a secure storage facility in Northampton; it is not possible to view the car before the auction end. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’