RE: SOTW: Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch

RE: SOTW: Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch

Friday 19th August 2011

SOTW: Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch

As 1970s as Old Spice. But this probably smells better...



Say the words 'Vauxhall' and 'Sports Hatch' in the same sentence these days and you'll probably think of the thoroughly forgettable three-door version of the Astra (You know, the one that tries really hard to pretend it's a coupe when it really isn't).

Say the same two words to a moustachioed, over-lapelled gentleman of the 1970s, however, and he would probably nod, smile and point you in the direction of his rakish looking, velour-upholstered fastback coupe. Which would be, in all probability, some shade of brown. (Not sure why this chap would be mute but, hey, it's my fevered imaginings...)


What you will see is a Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch. And if this looks to you exactly like an Opel Manta, that's because it is just that, save for a spot of badging. But while the Opel Manta B soldiered on until 1988, Vauxhall was done with the Sports Hatch by 1981, when the Cavalier went all modern and front-wheel drive.

Mechanically identical to the Cavalier saloon (and thus also both the Opel Ascona and Manta), the Sports Hatch was fitted with either a 75bhp 1.6 (in GL form) or a 100bhp, 113lb ft 2.0-litre unit (for the bells-and-whistles GLS model). And that was good for 110mph.


This particular car is the fancy-pants GLS, but with a three-speed auto gearbox we're not sure it would set said fancy pants on fire in terms of performance. The interior would definitely impress, though, with its symphony-of-gold crushed velour upholstery.

Better still it's got tax and ticket, some history and is clearly a runner, having "just been to hull without a issue" (not something I've ever managed, but that has nothing to do with the reliability of the cars I've taken there).

Not sure about the 'Rostyle' wheels, mind - they look like nasty plastic Halfords jobs to us. 'Rostyle-style' wheels, the vendor could have got away with...

Ps - Kudos to PHer MotorsortTom for spotting this gem.


Advert is reproduced below

Vauxhall Cavalier sports hatch V reg For Sale (1979), £995

Nice rare cavalier sports hatch, metallic bronze, 89,000 miles, 2 owners, some history, new mot, taxed, automatic gearbox, rostyle wheels, 2000 gls model, very solid car, drives very well, jvc stereo and 6 disc multi changer, great car in daily use, great mpg, just been to hull without a issue, uniroyal rain tyres all round matching, valour seats, multi dash gauges, metal sunroof, front air dam, very good chrome all round, sun tint windscreen, new battery, new exhaust, recent service including cam belt, great everyday cool classic, grabs attention where ever it goes. Car 10 minutes from dartford crossing m25/jtn 2 m2



Author
Discussion

Ali_T

Original Poster:

3,379 posts

256 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
"just been to hull without a issue"

There's something fantastically naive about that that makes me want to buy it!

djbobbins

101 posts

175 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
(a) am I first??

(b) I wouldn't buy it myself, but if I had a garage to put it in as an investment it looks tidy and worth a bag of sand... curiously attractive!

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Mmm, browntastic. Love it.

OzzyR1

5,701 posts

231 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all

That's pretty nasty.

I used to really want a Manta when I passed my test ended up with a Metro GTI as the insurance was about half for some reason.

Looking back I had a lucky escape.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Nice! Fond memories of Cavaliers because they were the cars my dad had up until I was about 7/8. First a Y reg in chocolate Brown, then an F reg in invalid carriage Blue (That got stolen from Leeds on a trip to Brewery Warf)

Oh and cracking set of Wheel Trims!

MrDarkBlack

3,891 posts

175 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
I've seen "beter" sheds of the week..

That interior doesn't look in too bad shape considering it's age.

Not today, thanks.

;-)


Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
MrDarkBlack said:
I've seen "beter" sheds of the week..

That interior doesn't look in too bad shape considering it's age.

Not today, thanks.

;-)
Some sheds can be used every day, some it's just surprising what you can get for the budget.

s3pc1989

414 posts

274 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Suddenly I feel very, very old. With a manual gearbox these were considered way better than your cooking 2ltr Capri back in the day......at the least the handling beat the cart springs on the old Capri anyhow. And it's really scary where the prices of good original Capri's and Escort (MKI MKII's) have gone.... Not that I am saying the Cav' will follow but.......

Nice alternative shed for us over 40's.....


Edited by s3pc1989 on Friday 19th August 08:29

SSCooperS

1,394 posts

163 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Looks fantastic in all it's brown glory!

theturbs

949 posts

235 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all

Interesting shed. I think it would be a pretty cool first car for someone.

Owlwood

251 posts

155 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
That interior is amazing. My uncle had one of these in the early 80's. I remember being in the back as a little kid, lost in that sea of velour. Good times.

Oddly, the one in the ad is in better nick than his one was.

Mr Subtle

151 posts

151 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
I think its looks great if only because you just dont see them anymore, so somewhat refreshing to see an old friend from my childhood.
Id have it if funds allowed, but damn, feelin' old.

Zerotonine

1,171 posts

173 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
I had a 4 door saloon version about ten years ago, bought it for a tenner. Scrapped it a couple of months later as had no funds to rebuild the engine. So much want for this! If I had the money I would buy it.

tr7v8

7,186 posts

227 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Much better than a Capri for much less money, sounds a good deal. I had a Manta GTE hatch as a company car in 85 & loved it to bits. The handling & performance were brilliant. I was on call in those days & used to do Newbury to the city in 45 minutes in the early hours!
On the other hand the Vauxhall dealers were absolutely crap. And the reason why I've never owned another Vauxhall.

drgoatboy

1,611 posts

206 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
This must be incredibly rare now, particularly in auto guise.
My big brother had one for a while, engine went pop so he had a reconditioned one put in. That went pop not long after too...
Do these have frameless door windows?

UncleRic

937 posts

167 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
drgoatboy said:
Do these have frameless door windows?
yes

Lowtimer

4,286 posts

167 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
drgoatboy: yep, frameless windows.
Many years ago I had a Manta GT/E which I gradually improved over the years: big brakes, 2.2 engine with a Blydenstein head, quick rack and Bilsteins. It was a terrific car. I did about 120,000 miles in it over several years and was really sorry when it eventually had to go. Way, way better than any Capri.

BigTom85

1,927 posts

170 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
If this was a manual I'd have bought it for my little brother who is currently learning to drive!

Good shed!

Oddball RS

1,757 posts

217 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Top shedding, lets go retro and stay of German uber barges for a month.......

drgoatboy

1,611 posts

206 months

Friday 19th August 2011
quotequote all
Lowtimer said:
drgoatboy: yep, frameless windows.
Thought so, good memories for me of the car.
I thought my brother was so cool (I suspect he did too) but I was only about 8 at the time and I guess I would have thought any car was good!