Vauxhall Cavalier
| Vauxhall Cavalier | |
|---|---|
1994 Vauxhall Cavalier LS
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vauxhall (General Motors) |
| Production | 1975–1995 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large family car |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Vauxhall Victor |
| Successor | Vauxhall Vectra |
| Cavalier Mark I | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Chevrolet Chevair (RSA) |
| Production | November 1975 – September 1981 |
| Assembly | Luton, United Kingdom Antwerp, Belgium Bochum, West Germany Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Chevrolet Chevair) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2/4-door saloon 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related |
Opel Ascona B Opel Manta B |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed all-synchromeshmanual 3-speed automatic optional |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 175 in (4,445 mm) |
| Width | 65 in (1,651 mm) |
| Height | 54.5 in (1,384 mm) |
| Cavalier Mark II | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | August 1981 – October 1988 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door saloon 4-door saloon 5-door estate 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | J-body |
| Related |
Chevrolet Cavalier Daewoo Espero Holden Camira Isuzu Aska Opel Ascona C Cadillac Cimarron |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1297cc Family I I4 1598cc Family II I4 1796cc Family III4 1998cc Family III4 |
| Cavalier Mark III | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | October 1988 – October 1995 (Pre 1992 facelift) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout/AWD |
| Platform | GM2900 |
| Related |
Opel Calibra Opel Vectra Saab 900 Saab 9-5 (YS3E) Saab 9-3 |
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall from 1975 to 1995. It was based on an succession of Opel designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was based on the existing Opel Ascona with a few minor visual differences.
The second generation of Cavalier, launched in 1981 and produced until 1988, was launched simultaneously with the identical new generation of Opel Ascona, which was sold across the world in various guises on the General Motors "J-car". The third and final generation of Cavalier, launched in 1988 and produced until 1995, was based on the first generation of Opel Vectra with the same production span.
Launched with a 1,896 cc engine as a 1976 model in November 1975, the Cavalier was a restyled version of the second generation German Opel Ascona. The Ascona/Cavalier was built on what GM called the U-car platform, and the Cavalier was originally intended to have its own bodywork. It ended up with the front of an Opel Manta B model and the rearend of an Opel Ascona b model. In the end to keep costs down a different nose, designed by Wayne Cherry, was the only obvious styling feature to set the Vauxhall apart.
Van, pick-up and estate versions were also on the drawing board, but in the event customers wishing to choose an estate version of the Vauxhall Cavalier would have to await the arrival in 1983 of a Cavalier estate based on the Cavalier Mark II. In the meantime, estate versions of the smaller Chevette and Astra, as well as the larger Carlton, would be launched.
The Mark I Cavalier was produced principally alongside the Ascona at the newly refurbished in Antwerp, Belgium.
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.
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Wikipedia