Evans Halshaw takes a trip down memory lane as the Vauxhall Cavalier celebrates 40 years
This year sees Vauxhall celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of its most popular saloons; the Cavalier.
Produced over three generations, from 1975 until 1995, the successful model is heralded as the 5th most popular car ever sold in the UK, with over 1.8 million models being purchased during its production run.
With many having made an appearance on the roads around Beverley over the last four decades, local retailer, Evans Halshaw, is taking a trip down memory lane to remind residents of just how classic the Cavalier was.
1975: Humble beginnings
In the same year that the comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released and the first episode of the popular sitcom Fawlty Towers was broadcast on TV, the original rear-wheel drive Vauxhall Cavalier went into production.
The Cavalier L offered a new level of refinement in a new, medium-sized car and was available as a 2-door and 4-door saloon. The model came onto the scene boasting an impressive interior: thick foam seats in cloth material; reclining front seats with inertia reel seat belts; and easy to read instruments on the facia.
It offered drivers of the time all the essentials: a heated rear window, 2-speed wipers with electric speed wash, reverse lights, hazard warning flashes and fascia warning lights; all surrounded by soft carpeting.
On the outside, owners could appreciate the Cavalier L’s aerodynamic styling, whilst experiencing its 1.6-litre engine and 4-speed manual gearbox (with the option of an automatic), all housed on a 99-inch smooth wheel base with advanced front suspension. A 13.6 cubic foot boot completed the kit-list.
One step above the Cavalier L base model was the GL (picture 1), which offered all the luxury and comfort of the L, and more. Seats were upholstered in plush velor, and a wall-to-wall, rich tufted carpet was the foundation of its attractive interior (picture 2).
With a quartz-activated clock, illuminated cigar lighter, illuminated ashtray and illuminated glove box, drivers were fully accommodated. On the outside, black waist mouldings and styled sports wheels played host to a choice of a powerful 1.9-litre engine or an economical 1.6-litre engine.
Finally, the top-of-the-range Cavalier GL Coupe completed the trio of inaugural Cavalier trims.
Aron Brown, Dealer Principal at Evans Halshaw in Beverley, comments: “At the time, the GL was arguably one of the sportiest-looking Vauxhalls ever. With a soft-grip, four-spoke steering wheel; a driver’s door map pocket; continental arm-rests; and wood veneer accents on the doors, it offered sophistication, style and comfort.
“Extra-wide tyres and extra-wide sports wheels added to the coupe’s all-round smart styling, which was accented by a functional front-end spoiler and roared proudly with its powerful 1.9-litre engine.”
Cavalier through the years
Some six years later and the MKII incarnation was created, this time in front-wheel drive. It offered class-leading levels of fuel economy and performance, which had previously been unthinkable for this sector of car.
It was Britain’s second best-selling car in 1984 and 1985, and at its peak, came with the choice of 1.3 or 1.6 L engines derived from the smaller Vauxhall Astra. There were also 1.8-litre and 2-litre versions, together with a diesel. Trim levels included Base, L, GL, SR, SRi, CDi, Convertible and Estate.
An interesting, fashion-themed quirk of the CD trim of the MKII version was door pockets that doubled-up as detachable handbags. The pockets were fastened to doors with press-studs, which could be swiftly removed and carried around by drivers and their passengers.
In 1988, the third and final version came to market, available either as a front-wheel or four-wheel drive. The top model in range was the Turbo; there was also a V6 version too, which was popular with police forces at the time.
The MKIII version remained in production until 1995 (picture 3), when after 20 years on sale in the UK, order banks closed for good on the iconic car. It was later replaced by the Vauxhall Vectra in 1996.
It wasn’t just the roads around Beverley that the Cavalier graced, however. In the British Touring Car race series from 1990 to 1995, the Cavalier scored a manufacturer’s win in 1992 and again in 1995. It was during this latter year when the famous John Cleland also won the driver’s title in the Vauxhall car.
Twenty years after this win, and four decades after the Cavalier came to be, the values of attention to detail, innovation, dedication to styling and attractive design are still at the core of Vauxhall’s range of models today.
For details about latest vehicles in the Vauxhall range, please contact the team at Evans Halshaw at Swinemoor Lane, Beverley, HU17 0LJ. Alternatively, call 01482 862 801 or go online to www.evanshalshaw.com/vauxhall
Information about Vauxhall’s 112-year history can be found on www.vauxhallandi.co.uk
