All about Cavalier cars

To many in the UK, the Cavalier was a product of Vauxhall Motors. Across the world, it was a name that belonged to another General Motors company, Chevrolet. Whichever model gets your blood racing, the Cavalier is a car that deserves consideration as a modern classic.

The american sub-compact

In the United States, the Chevy Cavalier was first launched in 1981. As one of the fuel conscious sub-compact class, it was initially only available with 2 litre, four cylinder engines. Body styles were just as conservative although a convertible was introduced along with a 2.8 V6 motor later on. The range was face-lifted in 1988 and again in 1991 when new, more powerful engines were introduced. The flagship model was the Z24 with a 3.1 litre 140bhp V6 under the new, sharper styled bonnet. Whereas all the cars to date had been mild redesigns of the original, 1995 brought about a complete change to coincide with the release of the British Cavalier's replacement, the Vectra. All engines were now four cylinder units but this didn't stop the sequentially multi-point injected Z24 managing 150bhp. The Z also benefited from a more sporting ride thanks to suspension that was both stiffer and lower than before. Production of these highly competent cars ceased in 2005.

The Vauxhall range

In Europe, we saw our first Cavalier, the Mk1, in 1975. The platform was shared with another GM product, the Opel Ascona, but where the Opel used a bluff front end, the Vauxhall was shark-like and aggressive. The choice on offer was simple, with two saloons and a coupe. Engines were all straight fours and came in 1.3, 1.6 and 1.9 (later 2.0) litre capacities. Interestingly, the Coupe and Sportshatch models were the same as the German Opel Mantas but, despite selling for considerably less, were never as popular. The front wheel drive Mk2 Cavalier cars arrived in 1981. The public, and more importantly the fleet buyers, loved it and for the first time Vauxhall challenged Ford for the top spot. Engines were 1.3, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre with fuel injection being used for most of them. The ultimate Mark 2 is the Cavalier Calibre with a 130bhp injected engine and a body-kit designed by Tickford of Aston fame. Europe's last Cavalier range debuted in 1988 with styling such that it was dubbed the "rounded Cavalier". True sporting versions were at last available in the shape of the GSi 2000, Cavalier Turbo and V6. The addition of four wheel drive turned the turbo into a giant killer. even more so in Calibra coupe form. A fond farewell was bade in 1995 when the UK apoted the Vectra name for the replacement.