Vauxhall Cavalier, Go ahead. Live a little.

Vauxhall Cavalier Information

Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 Saloon 1975-81

2/4 door 5-seater saloon

F/R

1256/1584/1897/1979cc (S4 OHV)

The Cavalier Mk1 is based on GM's U-Car platform which was General Motors second world car project after the T-Car (Vauxhall Chevette).  The U-Car was less of a success as a world car than the T-Car was.  Though it was a success in Europe and the UK and to some extent South Africa little impact was made else were.  It was tested by Holden but they found it unable to cope with difficult conditions which structural strengthening.

Vauxhall were involved in the UK programme for more than they are given credit for.  The HD Viva project was canned in 1973, which was a design that was to move the Viva into the mid market.

By the time Bob Price arrived as MD sales were in freefall and a new mid range model was needed – very quickly. At the time Opel were already well advanced on the U car replacement for the Ascona A and Manta A. So Vauxhall's model plans were merged into the project and various design variations were studied and prototypes built but in the end, due to cost constraints, only the front and rear were substantially different.  However the Manta adopted the Cavalier front, with a few air holes added.  A Cavalier Van, Pick Up and Estate were all built as prototypes but as Opel saw no need for an Estate or van to compete with there Rekord Van and the pick up was felt to have only a limited market outside the UK it would not have been economic for Vauxhall to go it alone on these. However Sportshatch was a different ball game and was wholly designed at Luton, based on previous concepts done in house at Vauxhall's design studios, not on the Opel Manta as people would have you believe.

Two concepts for the Cavalier Mk1.  The style in the second picture is very much like a Ferrari Daytona.

Until FE production was finally wound down at Luton, the new model was built at GM’s Antwerp plant.  The first Vauxhall Cavalier to be assembled at Vauxhall's Luton plant was driven off the production line by Eric Fountain, Vauxhall's manufacturing director, on 26 August 1977, after which the 1256 cc version, assembled at Luton and using engine and transmission already familiar to Viva 1300 owners, broadened the range. At that stage the 1584 cc Cavalier and the 1897 cc which had joined it were still being imported from Belgium, but in due course these, too, started to emerge from the Luton production plant.  It was revised in 1978 as the 1.9 L became a 2.0 L engine and the 1.3 L OHV engine from the Vauxhall Viva  and Vauxhall Chevette was used to create the entry Cavalier 1.3 variant. All Cavaliers shared similar bodywork to the Opel Ascona but had the slanted nose of the Manta to give them the distinct "droop snoot" front end, while the coupé also had a front air dam. The Chevrolet Chevair in South Africa as a variant of this model, featuring the grille of the Opel Manta and different engine choices. The new Vauxhall Insignia’s roots come from this car.

Trim levels:

Special editions

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 in Continental Europe.

Not many people are aware of this but up till 1981 Vauxhall Cars were sold in continental Europe alongside Opel’s in 11 country’s.  However the reason they were not sold past 1981 is as follows. 

On 6th December 1979 Vauxhall announced that they were pulling out of 11 major European countries where Vauxhall cars were sold. This was to be completed by the end of 1981. This was part of a rationalization program by General Motors (Vauxhall and Opel’s parent company) who at the time wanted to place more emphasis for the cars and their development on the German Opel side and not Vauxhall.  Opel sales in the UK also stopped in 1981 (Other than the Opel Manta which continued until 1988). 

The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 was also sold in the following European country's.  Holland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Italy and Switzerland.  Please see Belgium brochure below.  The Coupe was available with the 1.3 engine and in Norway the car came with Manta style headlight wipers.  The other main differences was the colour’s.

Vauxhall Cavalier Centaur 1978-79

Vauxhall, from 1978 until 1979, offered the Cavalier coupé in convertible format called the Centaur. Only 118 of these were made and fewer than 30 were believed to have survived by 2007. The cars were developed by Magraw Engineering and sold through Vauxhall dealerships on behalf of Crayford. The Centaur is basically a Cavalier GLS coupé 2-litre with the hard roof replaced with a soft top leaving a T-bar for strength. The floor pan was also strengthened.

Vauxhall Cavalier Coupe/Sportshatch 1975-81

2-door 4-seater Coupe/Sportshatch

F/R

1584cc/1897cc/1979cc (S4 OHV)

The Cavalier Mk1 Sportshatch was a wholly designed Luton designed car based on the previous concepts created by Vauxhall’s design studio (see below), not on the Opel Manta as people would have you believe.  Initially the Cavalier Mk1 Coupe was styled completely different to how the final car ended up.  There were two different designs called Concept 1 and Concept 2. 

Concept 1 and Concept 2.

Concept 1 and Concept 2 with the Final Version of the Cavalier Mk1 Sportshatch.

Both Concept cars were styled by Vauxhall Head of Design Wayne Cherry.  Concept 1 is the dark car on the left of the above picture was not based on any existing floor pan or mechanical components.  On feature of not on this was the adjustable rear seats enabling the rear passengers to gain more leg room.  Concept 2 the lighter car to the right was based on the Cavalier Mk1 and utilized the wings, doors and bonnet with a different rear style to the production car.  Although the final product was governed by General Motors production program it is clear from Concept 1 that the final result contains some of the features explored while Concept 2 uses far more of the existing coupe. 

Initially marketed as a notchback Coupe, with smaller cam-in-head Opel engines.  The Hatchback 2.0 Sportshatch, the best of the range was launched in 1978 (a 1.6 was also available as an option and is rare.)  It scored heavily over the Ford Capri, with a better image, more room and nicer handing.  The car was dropped in 1981 when new Front Wheel drive Cavalier introduced. 

Trim Levels: See above.

Vauxhall Cavalier 1981-89 

           The First Cavalier Mk2 of the production line.

J-Type in Design

Wind tunnel testing of the Cavalier Mk2.

4/5-door 5-seater Saloon/Hatchback/Estate/Convertible

F/F

1297/1598/1796/1998/cc (S4 OC)

1598cc diesel (S4 OC)

The design of the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 started in 1977 as part of GM’s J-Car platform which was to be used worldwide.  GM decided at board level it was to be designed with as many interchanagble parts as possible.  Two design teams were used meaning the platform was a really true world car, the teams were the GM Tech Centre in Detroit and Opel in Germany.  Mk1 Cavalier designer Wayne Cherry had very little to do with the Mk2 Cavalier’s design, Henry Haga then Head of Design at Opel AG (Gordon Brown latter replaced him) and his team were responsible for the design of the Mk2.  The line of the rear of the Hatchback does follow closely the lines of the Mk1 Sportshatch which Wayne Cherrys team did design. 

 The first car was driven of the production line at Luton on 17^th August 1981 with a lauch to the public of the 23^rd September 1981.  The Mk2 Cavalier was the first major model to be announced since Vauxhall and Opel’s UK marketing operating were full merged.  All dealers became Vauxhall-Opel with ‘Vauxhall-Opel better by design’ used as the advertising slogan at the time.  The only Opel models left for sale in the UK were the Opel Manta Coupe and Hatch and the Opel Monza/Senator. Launch events were held in dealerships all over the country and varied from win and cheese parties to some highly imaginative events.  Most launches were in the evening or at lunch time but one enterprising dealer held a Champaign breakfast at 8am in the morning with Bucks Fizz for all the visitors.  The car launched with 15 different versions (saloon 2 and 4 door and 5 door hatch back).  With two engines 1.3s and 1.6s and five different trim levels Base, L, GL, GLS and SR.  All cars other than the SR were assembled (not manufactured) at Luton.  The SR being produced at Antwerepe.  Compared to the Mk1 Cavalier the Mk2 Saloon os 3 inches shorter and the hatchback is 5 inches shorter.  However the car has much more space than the Mk1 Cavalier due to the face it has a transverse engine with front wheel drive.  In it’s first year the Mk2 Cavalier won Family Car of the Year in What Car? Magazine, Came top of it’s Class in Car Magazines Top Ten Awards and came top in class in Tow Car of the Year Completion organized by Caravan International.  Australian build Estate was available from 1983 but was not that popular.

The Mk2 Cavalier was Britain's second best selling car (behind the Ford Escort) in 1984 and 1985.

While for 1983 a 1.8 L engine was launched, which had electronic fuel injection. A diesel 1.6 L was added about the same time, while the 1.8 L was supplemented by a 2.0 L in late 1986. Family I and II engines initially with complex Varajet II Carburetor, injection coming in 1985 with 1.8/115bhp models. The car was face lifted in 1985 with a new chip-cutter style grille, modified rear lamp clusters, new steering wheels, upgraded equipment levels, new upholstery options and updated instrument graphics.  Due to poor sales the 2door model was dropped around this time.

MacPherson strut front suspension with torsion beam at the rear meant good handling, with only the well equipped CDi, SRI 130 and the Special Cavalier Calibre (only 500 produced) getting power steering as standard.  The car was face lifted again in 1987 which saw the introduction of a smoother looking grille, new rear lamp clusters, and a much wider range of trim levels for the 1.8 engine.  Also around this time the LX/LXi was introduced, this was in response to Ford introduction the Serria LX.  Also the range topping SRi 130 was introduced around this time with the 2.0 130bhp Family II engine with a 0-60mph time of 8 seconds.

Production of left hand drive cars also commended at Luton and cars were exported to Europe badged as Opel’s which was a commitment to the factory.  And proof that UK built cars could be as well made as Belgium and German ones.  By 1987/88 the completion had caught up, if not over taken the Mk2 Cavalier.  However all was not lost as the Mk3 Cavalier was just around the corner.

The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 was Fleet Car of the Year in 1985, 1986 and 1987.  To commemorate this Vauxhall produced a limited number of boxes with 'Three Cheers for the Cavalier!' printed on.  Which contained a Small Bottle of Champaign with a 'Three Cheers for Cavalier!' Label on, an A5 sheet detailing information on the Cavalier Mk2 and a note book which head 'Vauxhall Cavalier Fleet Car of the Year 1985, 1986 and 1987' printed on, with a pad of note paper inside with 'Three Cheers for the Cavalier!' printed on.  Below is some pictures of what is believed to be the only one of these boxes left.

Three Cheers for the Cavalier!

Vauxhall Cavalier Calibre.

The last Cavalier Mark II to be produced was the Cavalier Calibre. Based on the SRi130 with styling from Aston Martin/Tickford and the bodykit, sports suspension and exhaust being produced by Irmscher, it was a limited production run of only 500 cars.  The idea of the Calibre came during the run our of the Cavalier Mk2.  Vauxhall/Opel had surplus Saloon bodysheels which they had to move.  Irmscher UK were involved with fitment along with Star Custom Cars. The car came with a very high specification including a trip computer, recaro seats, power windows and power steering. It cost around £13,000 when released in 1987.  This model differed slightly in Germany where it was sold as the Ascona Sprint.  The differences where that it came with a Irmscher Steering wheel, where as in the UK the Calibre had the standard Cavalier wheel.  The seats were Rally Twill where as the Calibre had Chicago velour trim.  And it was also available in Polar White and Astro Silver along with the Carmine Red.  The Calibre was just available in Carmine Red.  There was also light differences in engine’s in Germany as the Sprint started with the 20NE then went to the C20NE and 20SEH.  To cause even more confusion the car was also available in Switzerland where it was not badged Sprint but i200, the reason for this was that a model using the Sprint name was already on sale.  The specification and colours were the same as the Sprint but the i200 had the following additions Fog Headlights, height adjustability on the drivers seat, the 2.0i (C20NE) engine had a catalytic converter and tinted glass.  There are believed to be 1399 Ascona Sprints produced and 879 Ascona i200’.

Trim levels

The "i" suffix stands for Fuel Injection.

Special editions (Some not all).

Vauxhall Cavalier Convertible 1984-89

To help boost sales of the Mk2 Cavalier a Convertible version was launched in 1985. This was based on the 3-door saloon which was only available for a short time in the UK and was not very successful.  The conversion of the Convertible was carried out by Hammond & Thiede.  The car only came as a 1.8 injection.  Standard equipment included electrical operated and heated door mirrors, electric boot release.  Option equipment included 3 speed automatic gear box, electric front windows, power steering, drivers seat height adjust and two-coat metallic paint.  Production continued up till the introduction of the Mk3 Cavalier.  More information on Mk2 Cavalier prototype models can be found in the unusual models section of the website.

Vauxhall Cavalier 1988-1995

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 on Winter test.

                           4/5-door 5-seater Saloon/Hatchback

                           F/F 1389/1598/1796/1998/1998 16v (S4 OC), 1699cc diesel (S4 OC),

                         2400 V6, 1998 Turbo.

Launched on the 14^th October 1988 the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3’s main job was to halt the falling sales of the outgoing Vaxuhall Cavalier Mk2 which was by this time being outsold by the Ford Serria.  The car was launched as a Saloon and Hatchback with an Estate to follow (As it happened the Estate never materialised).  The car was designed by Wayne’s Cherry’s Vauxhall/Opel Design Europe Team in Germany.  Extensive winter testing was carried out on the Cavalier Mk3 as the photo’s below show. 

‘The New Cavalier.’ ‘The Future. Now.’ went the TV ad in 1988/89 with launch of the New ‘Mk3’ Cavalier.  Vauxhall is said to have spent £10 million on the launch advertising campaign for the New Mk3 Cavalier.

With such an excellent engine range, the designers were able to make the new Cavalier even better.  Five-speed gearboxes became standard, plus option of new four-speed auto.  No major changes in size, trim levels (Standard, L, GL, CD, Diplomat, 4x4) but appeal was widened with more high-performance versions, SRi, GSi 16v, GSi 16v 4x4.  The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 with the first Vauxhall to be sold with a 4x4 system.  Various versions and arrangements were tried before a system co-developed with Austian firm Steyr-Damlier-Puch was selected.  This system is similar to the VW Syncro System.  At launch there was 1.4, 1.6, 1.6i, 1.8, 1.8i, 2.0i 8v 20SEH and 2.0i 16v C20XE.  A 1.7 Diesel was offered and in 1992 a 1.7 Isuzu Turbo Diesel was offered.

The radio’s initial fitted to the car were Phillips but this latter changed to Grundig.

The Cavalier Mk3 Saloon is 2.5inches longer and 1.2 inches wider than the Cavalier Mk2 Saloon and is about the same height.  The front over hang is up by 1.3 inches to help crash protection and aerodynamics.  The Cavalier Mk3 Hatchback is 3 inches shorter than the Saloon but 3.4 inches longer than the Cavalier Mk2 Hatchback.

Although there was no major chassis changes with the car handling was improved.  The Cavalier topped the large-medium family car sales charts in Britain in 1990, ahead of the Ford Serria, Rover 400 and Austin Montego. Its best year for sales was 1992, when it was Britain's second bestselling car. It did not lose top spot in its sector until it was overtaken by the Ford Mondeo in 1994. 

Range was revised in 1992/93 with changes to the external styling, bumper mouldings, new grill, front and rear lights and wheel trim.  The 1.4 engine was also dropped, the 2.5 V6 C25XE engine was added and the 2.0i 16v Red Top C20XE was replaced by the 2.0i X20XEV Ecotec which had less power (down from 15bhp to 136bhp)  also due to emission problems the 2.0 8v 20NE in the SRI which was carried over the Mk2 Cavalier was replaced by a new less power full version 2.0 C20NE (115bhp instead of 130bhp), and finally the GSi 4x4 was replaced by the Cavalier Turbo which had the 2.0i Turbo charged 2.0 C20LET engine giving just over 200bhp along with a 6-speed gear box.  The interior was also revised and range was also re-aligned with new trim levels (Envoy, LS, Colorado, GLS, CD,  CDX, Diplomat, 4x4, Sri, Sri 16v and Turbo 4x4).  Safety features like Air Bags, seatbelt pretensions and door beams were also incorporated.  ABS also became standard, the Cavalier Mk3 being the first car in it’s class to have these as standard fitment.  The range was replaced in late-1995 by the Vauxhall Vectra though there are a few Cavaliers about on P-Plates.  The car was very successful for Vauxhall in the British Touring Car between 1990 and 1995 and came close to winning the Championship in 1992 with John Cleland and won the Championship in 1995 with John Cleland before being replaced by the Vectra.  Further information on the Vauxhall cavalier Mk3’s success in the British Touring Car Championship can be found under the Motorsport link on the left.

A 3-Door Coupe version of the Cavalier Mk3 was introduced in 1989 called the Vauxhall Calibra also designed by Wayne Cherry’s team.  More information on this model can be found in the associated models page.

Also the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3’s mechanics are shared with the Saab 900/93 which was in production between 1993-2002.  Of course at this time Saab was part of General Motors.

                             Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 Clay Model.                                                      Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 dash board design.

                                 Full scale Clay model of Cavalier Mk3                                   Various proposals for Cavalier Mk3

Trim levels were:

1988–1992 range

1992-1995 range

Special editions (Some not all).