Calibra A Coupe

1989 - 1997
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Your friendly Vauxhall - Opel Club since 1994
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The Vauxhall Calibra, was also known as the Opel Calibra in Europe, the Chevrolet Calibra in South America and the Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zealand. The Calibra is based on the running gear of the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 (Opel Vectra A), which was launched in 1988. Calibra production was based in the Opel factory in Ruesselheim, Germany and the Valmet Automotive factory in Unsikaupunki in Finland where production was consolidated in November 1995. The Vauxhall Calibra won Autocar and Motor Design of the Year Award in 1989. The Vauxhall Calibra was styled by the head of Vauxhall/Opel Design Europe, Wayne Cherry who was previously head of the Vauxhall Design Team at Luton. Ride and handling of the Calibra are very similar to the Cavalier Mk3 on which it is based. The car was launched in 1989, and was the most aerodynamic production car in the world and this was mentioned in the launch advert in 1990. The eight valve model was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. And it remained the most aerodynamic mass production car for the next 10 years, all later 16V, V6, 4x4, turbo models had a worse Cd of 0.29 which was caused by changes in cooling system, under body, use of spoked wheels and glass detail. The car was face-lifted in 1994 and production ceased in 1997. The last Calibra Turbos were produced in early 1997 before a final run of Calibra Turbo Limited Editions were rolled out. These were all finished in jet black paintwork with Irmscher spoiler, BBS RX 16" alloys and colour coded body fittings. This final incarnation was also lowered by 35mm on Irmscher springs and dampers. The interior was heated cream leather, with a steering wheel trimmed in grey leather and a plaque showing the build number mounted on the centre console. A conversation with an ex-Vauxhall Dealer employee has unearthed a story about the final run out model the SE9. The Calibra were made at a Saab factory in Unsikaupunki in Finland. Due to the size of the site stock checks of cars were carried out from the air and a stock check of cars on the site near the end of Calibra production found a number of Calibra 2.5 V6’s on site that Vauxhall/Opel were not aware of. These were badged up as the final run out SE9. Quite how you can miss this about of cars at site we are not quite sure. Also we are unable to verify how accurate this story is. Models: 2.0 8v 2.0 16v 2.0 16v 4x4 2.0 Turbo 4x4 2.0 Turbo DTM 2.5 V6 2.0 8v SE1 2.0 16v SE2 2.0 8v SE3 2.0 8v SE4 2.0 8v SE5 2.0 8v SE6 2.0 16v SE7 2.0 16v SE8 2.5 V6 SE9 2.5 V6 DTM Tickford Calibra