RE: SOTW: Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch

[s m]

Lowtimer said:

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.

- I did the same. Manta GTE coupe - owned 7 years, over 120k, did brakes, suspension and diff ( the rear axle bearings were prone to whining at high mileage anyway ), engine went from 2.0litre ( 110bhp ) to 2.2 ( 142bhp ) and then to 2.4 ( 165ish ).
Handling was great on it and very long-legged on the motorway with the Getrag 4+E 5-speeder.
The GTEs came on Bilsteins anyway but quite a thin body so upgraded them to the much fatter 2.3 HS Chevette ones

[Mark34bn]

Nice shed! My 1st car was a Cavalier 1.6l 4 door, always wanted a Manta GT/E in white but the insurance was 'a bit steep' for an 18 year old.

[andymadmak]

Love the car. Have fond memories of these. BUT, something about the advert really annoys the crap out of me.. Maybe it's the Rostyle wheels claim (when anybody can see they are not) or the Valour seats, or the multi dash gauges.. You know, it's all that faux-knowledge thing that so many people do these days. Makes me want to thump someone!
Guess I'm a grumpy git today

[slk 32]

My Dad had one of these back in 1982 in exactly the same colour( OGV 57W) where are you now?. Great car - remember him racing a 924 on the A12- Got it up to 115 before the 924 backed off!!

Happy days- the frameless windows where cool too

[graham22]

My first car was a white 1.6 GLS Sportsback - I try to forget it; slow, thirsty thing.

Sold it & put the money towards a 2 year old RG500

[amoeba]

Stick a v8 in it, respray - sorted.

[anonymous-user]

Amazing when you look at all the detailing on the older cars that must have cost a fortune in time and tooling. Just couldn't be afforded these days.

[jsg612]

Loving the interior... Reminds me of the E92 325i Coupe I test drove the other week... Shockingly BROWN!

[Targarama]

I love velour interiors. Seriously.

[mercGLowner]

Wow, a blast from the past. Instantly reminded me of my very first car back in 1984. A yellow Cavalier 1.9GL coupe. To be honest it was total pants, dire in almost every respect and mine had an interior the same colour as the SOTW.

Here was mine......

[Turbobanana]

From memory, Rostyles were the standard wear on these so they're probably hiding underneath. Back in the day (mid-Eighties) when I was a valeter for a used car site we used to put trim rings on them and they looked fantastic.

Good shed.

[Rawwr]

I was just trying to count the different shades of brown. I lost track at 50.

[DazBock]

I actually like this, never thought I would say that! Well done SOTW. A far better attempt than last week's poor show!

[sidaorb]

Great shed, brings back some great memories from the 80's when me and my mates began driving, between us we had one of these, a Manta Coupe, Fiat 131 Sport, Capri 2.0 'S' (mine), Mk2 Escort (2.1 Burton engined), Dolomite Sprint and a Fiat X19.

Great days and nights ragging them around and getting upto some stuff with them that makes my toes curl now when I think about it!

[Getsis]

Ali_T said:

"just been to hull without a issue"

I bet this guy owns a TVR

[dlockhart]

This is the kind of shed which causes divorces. Some bloke buys one 'cause he grew up in the back of one when he was 7/8 and its cheap. His is wife sets eyes on it and says - Im not letting you park that out side the house and the garage is full of your stuff any ways...

possibly the most expensive car you have ever brought

[morgrp]

Nice car - shame about the "I can't believe they're not alloys"

[Fast Fuse]

I normally consider myself a Ford man, but even I would have a bit of that! Cracking find I reckon.

[nsm3]

mercGLowner said:

Wow, a blast from the past. Instantly reminded me of my very first car back in 1984. A yellow Cavalier 1.9GL coupe. To be honest it was total pants, dire in almost every respect and mine had an interior the same colour as the SOTW.

Here was mine......

That could quite easily be my first bosses car. The one that I used to do my "rubbing rag delivery man" obligations in, back in '77.

I thought it was a real weapon compared to my Ford Anglia 105E !!

[SuperHangOn]

Bloody hell I haven't seen one of those for at least a decade!