And so we come to one of the instigators of the 1990s coupe trend. Yes, the Corrado got there first, but the Calibra was hot on its heels and even more revolutionary.
As with so many of these coupes though, the Calibra's underpinnings were decidedly less glamorous than its sharp suit suggested. The Mk3 Cavalier platform was not sporting, by any stretch. And its interior, which was also carried over, could have been described optimistically as blog.
But building the Calibra's suave shape onto humble underpinnings meant Vauxhall's new beauty queen could be had for a very reasonable price, and so buyers lapped it up. Power came from a leisurely 2.0-litre 8v with 115hp, or a brisk 150hp 2.0-litre 16v; neither would set the world alight, but the latter at least provided enough oomph to allow the Calibra to keep up with hot hatches.
But by 1992, the coupe world had changed, and 150hp simply wasn't going to cut it any more. Enter the Calibra Turbo, created by the simple expedient of bolting the Cavalier GSi Turbo's engine and four-wheel-drive running gear beneath the Calibra's wedgy shell.
In 1993, the range was completed by the addition of the Cavalier's 2.5-litre V6 engine. This suited the Calibra far better, turning it into a cut-price grand tourer of some distinction.
In 1995, the 2.0-litre 16v engine were replaced with a newer 'ecotec' 2.0-litre 16v engine; less characterful than the older 16v powerplant, it was more efficient and, along with the 2.0 8v, V6 and Turbo powerplants, saw the Calibra through to the end of its life in 1997.
Calibras were never the most reliable cars. The early 2.0-litre cars suffered from porous heads that allowed water and oil to mix; Turbos, meanwhile, suffered from weak transfer boxes, and V6s were prone to issues with their traction control system. All Calibras, of course, have rust issues, with the most common places for them to go being on the sills and rear wheel arches.
The glamour is for the outside darling
There were a number of special edition models which are reasonably sought-after by enthusiasts now, but we'd stick with a nice, tidy V6 manual. One of these with a good history and an air of loving care will make for a smooth and rewarding grand tourer. And of course, steer clear of the modified tat that's out there.
Go on, admit it. You still fancy a Calibra. Despite everything, there's something about those narrow-eyed headlights, the flashes of smoked glass in the tail lights, and that lemon-slice glasshouse that appeals. Even today, this is a car whose looks can have you thinking against your better judgement.
Buy if: you want the best-looking Vauxhall ever made
Don't buy if: you want the best-handling Vauxhall ever made
We found: 1994 V6, manual, 83,000 miles, £1,695
Price Guide
Poor: £500
Good: £1,000 to £3,000
A1: £5,000