CarBrandLogos archive · Vauxhall · 1975

VauxhallCavalier

The car that took the company fleet away from Ford.

The story

A defining chapter in Vauxhall history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Vauxhall Cavalier, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Origins

The first Cavalier, in 1975, was an expedient. Vauxhall's own mid-size cars were failing against the Cortina, so Luton took the Opel Ascona, fitted a sloping nose derived from the Firenza droop-snoot, and imported it from Antwerp until UK assembly could be arranged. It sold well enough to prove that badge-engineering German products was a better business than developing British ones — a conclusion that decided Vauxhall's future.

Cavalier Coupe · Jon BennettCropped by uploader Mr.choppers · CC BY 2.0

Design and engineering

The 1981 Mk2 was the one that changed the company's position. It moved to front-wheel drive, offered a hatchback, and arrived while Ford was running the Cortina down and had not yet convinced fleet buyers about the Sierra's styling. Vauxhall took a large share of the company-car market, and for the first time in decades a Vauxhall was the default choice on a fleet list rather than the alternative.

1991 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 1.8 · Charlie from United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

In production

The Mk3 of 1988 consolidated it with a smoother body, and gave the range genuine performance for the first time: a four-wheel-drive turbocharged version, and 16-valve models that made the Cavalier a serious touring car. John Cleland won the British Touring Car Championship in one in 1995, at the height of the series' popularity, which sold a great many ordinary saloons to people who had watched it on television.

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 1.8 · Charlie from United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Legacy

Production ended that same year, when the name was replaced by Vectra. It is generally accepted that Vauxhall lost more with that decision than it gained.

At a glance

The facts that define it.

Produced

1975–1995

Technical specification

The Cavalier, in detail.

Production: 1975–1995
Class: Large family car
Layout: FR layout (1975–1981); Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1981–1995); AWD (1988–1995)
Manufacturer: Vauxhall (General Motors)

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