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Cavalier

The Cavalier proved to be a major turning point for Vauxhall, in fact it was the car that probably saved the company – the Opel Ascona-derived two- and four-door saloon proved the perfect car for the Luton company to offer up as a rival to the all-conquering Ford Cortina.

Like the Chevette, the Cavalier was well-engineered, handled well and was brilliant at covering miles on the motorway, but the larger car also had the benefit of being able to cruise comfortably and stresselessly in the outside lane – something that would mark out Cavaliers two decades to come.

It was offered with an engine range spanning 1.3- to 2.0-litres, with the entry level models sharing their power unit with the Chevette. Not a ball of fire, but capable enough. Luton built cars were more prone to corrosion than their Belgian counterparts, but all were leagues ahead of earlier Vauxhalls.

Mk2 moves to front-wheel drive

The front-wheel drive Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 was a hugely important car for its maker – picking up huge fleet sales just as Ford stumbled with the Sierra. When launched in 1981, the Cavalier proved to be the right car at the right time, and sold not only because Ford dropped the ball, but also because it was a superb car that offered variations for everyone. At launch, you could buy your Cavalier in two- or four-door saloon form and as a five-door hatchback, offered with a 1.3- and 1.6-litre Family II engines.

But the range was developed constantly, so 1.8- and 2.0-litre versions were added to the range, as well as a Holden-developed five-door estate that proved even more susceptible to corrosion than the other models in the range. Hugely popular in the 1980s, but with a low survival rate today, the Cavalier Mk2 typifies the term endangered species. Picking up a cult following now with ’80s fans, but unless perfect, these cars are still worth very little money.

Mk3 adds modernity

The 1988 Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 was designed to be the best of both worlds – aerodynamic like a Ford Sierra, but bristling with Mk2 front-wheel drive appeal. Slightly larger than its predecessor and much curvier looking, the new Cavalier went head-to-head not only with cars such as the Sierra, but also the sleek new Ryton-built Peugeot 405 and the Washington-made  Nissan Bluebird, which was racking up some impressive sales figures.

Advertising for the new Cavalier was everywhere from magazines to television. The latter used a cover version of Derek & The Dominos’ track Layla, with the tagline ‘Once Driven Forever Smitten’.  The new Cavalier, though, was underpinned by engineering lifted from its predecessor. But it proved to be a much more finely-honed product. There was evidence of real engineering prowess and impressive safety features right across the range.

Where the Mk2 always had a feeling of lightness and cost cutting in its build, the Mk3 was a solid machine made with high quality materials. It sported a good-looking functional padded dashboard, and you instantly knew this car was screwed together well. Available in a wide variety of engines – 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.8-, and 2.0-litre four-cylinders, as well as the brilliant C20XE (in the GSi2000). You could also buy it in 2.5-litre V6 form, and with a   1.7-litre turbodiesel. Such was the Mk3s popularity and solidity, they remain relatively plentiful into the 2010s, with a growing following.


Reviews, blogs and news stories

Vauxhall Cavalier hatchback
Cavalier

The cars : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 development story

13 December 2020 Keith Adams 143

Keith Adams recounts the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 development story – a tale of close ties with Opel in Germany, some interesting UK design tweaks and the beginnings of an impressive […]

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The cars : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 development story

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The full story of how the front-wheel drive Vauxhall Cavalier overturned the Ford Sierra and Austin Montego in the UK fleet market during the 1980s. […]

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Tested : Ford Cortina vs Talbot Solara vs Vauxhall Cavalier

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Back in 1980, if you wanted the best business tool on wheels, you were given a Ford Cortina. Vauxhall and Talbot didn’t necessarily agree, offering the Cavalier and Solara instead. […]

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Concepts : Vauxhall Silver Aero

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The Silver Aero was based on the Mk1 version of the Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch, and looked stunning thanks to aggressive looking body modifications. It went as well as it looked, thanks to a RayJay tuirbo and Blydenstein-tuned engine. […]

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Advert of the Week : The new fuel-injected Cavaliers

18 August 2016 Keith Adams 8

Keith Adams It’s hard not to love the message being pushed by GM’s genius marketing team in 1985. From its launch in 1981, the brilliant Vauxhall Cavalier MkII was stealing sales […]

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The cars : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 development story

21 June 2014 Mike Humble 88

The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 (or Opel Vectra A for our European readers) was a completely different animal to the popular car that it replaced… well, it was to look at. […]

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Blog : My new wheels (with stomach-churning video)

4 June 2014 Keith Adams 38

Keith Adams In the coming weeks, my working life is about to change in a big way. Out will go the convenience of working from home for the bonus of an extra-long […]

Cavalier

Unsung Heroes : Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6LD

30 May 2013 Mike Humble 41

Once again, Mike Humble takes a drive down the roads of yesterday and celebrate the cars that littered the highways and byways of Britain that now are virtually all gone […]

Cavalier

Video : Three generations of Vauxhall Cavalier

22 January 2013 Keith Adams 33

Between 1975 and 1995, the Vauxhall Cavalier was one of the UK’s favourite family cars. Watch three generations of TV advertising to see just how the Cavalier moved with the […]

The Cavalier SRi in original 1983 guise - The ultimate Mk2 Cav? We reckon so.
Cavalier

Why we love the… Vauxhall Cavalier SRi

8 June 2012 Mike Humble 44

Proof again that great cars are not always super cars. The first in a brand new section of AROnline favourite everyday cars from an era when everything was alright with […]

Cavalier

Drive Story : Cavalier – then and now…

10 April 2012 Keith Adams 47

Keith Adams enjoys a week in Vauxhall’s very own Cavalier Mk1. But it does get him thinking about the past and present. And asking the obvious question. Cavalier progress I’ve […]

1980 Vauxhall Cavalier 2000GLS
Cavalier

Blog : Enjoying a week in a Cavalier!

4 April 2012 Keith Adams 55

Keith Adams I’ll start this blog by admitting I’m creating it from a completely biased position. My first (legal) car on the road was a Cavalier Mk1, and despite it […]

Advert of the Week

Advert of the week : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2

23 October 2011 Keith Adams 35

Keith Adams Remember when 90bhp was enough? When the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 was launched in August 1981, it really did revolutionise the repmobile market. Yes, as FWD saloons went, it […]

Cavalier

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 : Videos

28 June 2011 Matthew Hayward 2

It’s got pulling power… Vauxhall was onto a winner with its Cavalier Mk2, but the switch to FWD was a radical step for the conservative company, and it wasn’t sure […]

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Unbelievably, the Metro Cooper was not offered as a ‘factory-backed’ conversion, even though it came with a blue-chip pedigree. However, there was a good reason why John Cooper Garages ended […]

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