My boyhood dream, immaculate 1993 Cavalier Turbo
Discussion
Not sure how much interest I'll have in this car, so we'll see how this pans out.
As a little child my mum had a Mk2 Cavalier ex taxi with moon miles, from what I remember it was pretty rusty but she seemed to love this car. My dad also had a Mk3 V6 manual at the same time, the turbo was always something he and mum lusted after. But even back then, they were a rare car. But because they wanted one, that naturally filtered down to me and it became my attainable dream car from when I was about 4, had models of the car on my shelf.
Unfortunately a little while later, mum lost her fight to breast cancer so all of the plans they had made came to a halt. This included the infamous Cavalier Turbo.
Due to other circumstances, I inherited a bit of money. Enough to set me up for life. And as I wasn't in a position to buy a house of my own just yet, university etc, I said to Dad that I'm going to find the best possible example of a Cavalier Turbo. Put the feelers out on the owners clubs and didn't really get the response I wanted, good cars but with issues like rotten arches, high miles or porous cylinder head.
But in my PM's on the book of Faces lay this car, spoke with the owner and it seemed to fit the bill. From the pictures it looked seriously cleaned, asked a few in the know and I was reassured it was pretty immaculate, only issue it was in Northern Ireland, some 500miles away!
So a year of back and fourth of messages, sorting out the logistics of travelling there and a lot of personal life crap got in the way, but as of last weekend I am the proud new owner of this beauty.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/uzd0w65r[/url]
Shes a very early 1993 K reg Turbo pretty much as it came from the factor, 45k miles from new in almost 26yrs! There's not a mark or blemish on the bodywork.
It does however have what I believe is a Courtney Sport charge cooler kit on, this will be coming off over winter as I want a completely OEM car.
I was concerned the paintwork would get chipped from the tow car on the way back to home, so masked the front of the car up. Got some attention for sure!
The only thing that lets the car down is the interior, for some unknown reason somebody has put airbags in! The steering wheel is truly gopping to look at
This is a January 1993 car, so shouldn't have airbags at all. There's no lights when the ignition is on so they're just placed there. I'm in the process of sourcing the correct parts to put the originals back in.
I have a habit of doing this, buying cars and having to return to uni the next day. Parted with all this cash and I'm now 200miles away just 40hrs later!!! So these pics are just before it went into dry storage until I return
As in traditional PistonHead, I've named her Tammy the turbo
Thanks for reading
As a little child my mum had a Mk2 Cavalier ex taxi with moon miles, from what I remember it was pretty rusty but she seemed to love this car. My dad also had a Mk3 V6 manual at the same time, the turbo was always something he and mum lusted after. But even back then, they were a rare car. But because they wanted one, that naturally filtered down to me and it became my attainable dream car from when I was about 4, had models of the car on my shelf.
Unfortunately a little while later, mum lost her fight to breast cancer so all of the plans they had made came to a halt. This included the infamous Cavalier Turbo.
Due to other circumstances, I inherited a bit of money. Enough to set me up for life. And as I wasn't in a position to buy a house of my own just yet, university etc, I said to Dad that I'm going to find the best possible example of a Cavalier Turbo. Put the feelers out on the owners clubs and didn't really get the response I wanted, good cars but with issues like rotten arches, high miles or porous cylinder head.
But in my PM's on the book of Faces lay this car, spoke with the owner and it seemed to fit the bill. From the pictures it looked seriously cleaned, asked a few in the know and I was reassured it was pretty immaculate, only issue it was in Northern Ireland, some 500miles away!
So a year of back and fourth of messages, sorting out the logistics of travelling there and a lot of personal life crap got in the way, but as of last weekend I am the proud new owner of this beauty.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/uzd0w65r[/url]Shes a very early 1993 K reg Turbo pretty much as it came from the factor, 45k miles from new in almost 26yrs! There's not a mark or blemish on the bodywork.
It does however have what I believe is a Courtney Sport charge cooler kit on, this will be coming off over winter as I want a completely OEM car.
I was concerned the paintwork would get chipped from the tow car on the way back to home, so masked the front of the car up. Got some attention for sure!
The only thing that lets the car down is the interior, for some unknown reason somebody has put airbags in! The steering wheel is truly gopping to look at
This is a January 1993 car, so shouldn't have airbags at all. There's no lights when the ignition is on so they're just placed there. I'm in the process of sourcing the correct parts to put the originals back in.
I have a habit of doing this, buying cars and having to return to uni the next day. Parted with all this cash and I'm now 200miles away just 40hrs later!!! So these pics are just before it went into dry storage until I return
As in traditional PistonHead, I've named her Tammy the turbo
Thanks for reading
Brum_Brum said:
Looks a minter! a rarity for sure,. I lusted after a GSi/Turbo in my early driving days, could never afford one though. I made do with my MK2 SRi 
The SRI is still a mighty car, those 8 valvers take a lot of abuse!!RC1807 said:
That's a very clean car!
I recall some colleagues having 2000GSi 4x4, but there was never a Turbo in the car park.
Look forward to seeing this one back to OEM.
The GSI 4x4 is probably even rarer than the turbo nowadays! I didn't think the car would get this much attention, but everyone seems to love it. I suppose it's a blast from the past. I recall some colleagues having 2000GSi 4x4, but there was never a Turbo in the car park.
Look forward to seeing this one back to OEM.
Cheers, just little touches that let the car down like the charge cooler and steering wheel
RicksAlfas said:
Back in the day our local taxi firm had a few young drivers who liked their motors. They had a Carina GTi(!) and one of these. We always used to try and ask for it when we were booking. It didn't half go some! Certainly better than my 1.3 Nova anyway. 
Good luck with it!
It's still fast by today's standards tbf, my Toyota starlet is around 200bhp but the Cav still pushes you in the seat and feels fast, which i was concerned it would feel old and slow. Good luck with it!
What a cool taxi company tho!!!!
Coin Slot. said:
Loved these back in the day, couldn't stretch to a turbo, but had two GSi's and absolutely loved them, although they both had porous heads and nearly bankrupted me.
Most people s
t themselves at how much i paid for this one, but the idea of splashing out and getting a good example to start witg means fingers crossed I avoid expensive trouble with them 
outnumbered said:
Timewarp stuff. Really glad you are intending on keeping it OEM and not adding "a few subtle mods" as many seem to be tempted to do...
Where the car had been sat for the majority of its life, it had some proper 90's speed camera detector on the windscreen, the plug has been butchered but i may see if I can get it to work lol. The car even smells of the 90's, it's terrificlord trumpton said:
You lucky sod - Id pay strong money for one of those!
Any idea if there are any more gems available anywhere?
I won't beat around the bush, I paid £17.5k for this example. I know of 2 others that are in a similar league to this one. One white and one blue, neither owner will part if them for less than £20kAny idea if there are any more gems available anywhere?
Chebble said:
That’s ace.
Keep us updated - how easy is it to source the original parts? Can’t imagine there are many left that haven’t succumb to rust.
Some things are easy, the mechanicals are all available. It's the little touches, like badges, floor mats that are troublesome and take time.Keep us updated - how easy is it to source the original parts? Can’t imagine there are many left that haven’t succumb to rust.
Theres currently 138 on SORN, but the majority of those will be dead and not scrapped correctly. At the annual Vauxhall show, you'll be lucky to spot one. There were 5 there 2 yrs ago to celebrate 25yrs, and 0 the next year!
Shakermaker said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
Shakermaker said:
Ah, a fellow VBOA attendee are you?
We did one a few yrs back, with a 13k mile Mk4 Astra GSI, but not been since. I used to go as a kid tho. I'm hoping that the Cavalier will make the next one, there's a chance it'll clash with my uni exams though
NotNormal said:
Awesome purchase and what a find to get one with low miles and in that condition. Don’t be shy with pics and updates.
Hopefully the standard look exhaust backbox will also be part of your plans too
I kind of like this one, very similar to OEM. It's just a back box so easily changeable if an OEM one does come upHopefully the standard look exhaust backbox will also be part of your plans too
Welshbeef said:
I’ve searched fastlaps and elsewhere online but cannot see the 0-100mph time?
At a guess 16-18 seconds or is it stronger/similar to the Fiat Coupe 20 V Turbo?
The Calibra 4x4 turbo is 16.9, so your estimate is probably about right tbf. Still reasonably quick by today's standards I thinkAt a guess 16-18 seconds or is it stronger/similar to the Fiat Coupe 20 V Turbo?
So managed to source this, a OEM upper intercooler pipe. So that's it decided now, the chargecooler setup is coming off, the same friend also said buried somewhere in his shed is a non-airbag steering wheel. I may have to run this along side the airbag dashboard until a black dash turns up somewhere. And also have a brand new, in packet, Genuine griffin Vauxhall badge for the grille (absolutely fuming, lost it somewhere on the trip home, hoping no one tried to nick it). Progress will be slower than usual on this tho, got another car that's draining my bank balance and for a student thats not great lol
So to resurrect this thread from the dead. Still have the old girl, not seen much of her mind. Some things happened and meant I lost the storage I had arranged for the car, ended up generously asking a friend to keep it inside his unit. Pass by maybe 6 months of the poor thing sat in the corner of this unit, looking very sorry for itself 
But under the dust was still one of the best examples of a turbo in existence I promise Haha.
The car still started first time and sounded healthy, it was only when I realised just how bad the car had got it had been this long since it had some love. Now onto the fun stuff
a very rare optional extra CD player was sourced and put in. Yes these really did onky have a cassette player as standard!
Now here's for an annoying part of the car. Somewhere in its life someone has put the later airbag steering wheel in. Being a very early 1993 example, one of the first off the production line in fact, it shouldn't have the airbags. So after much searching from everyone, and becoming £300 lighter!!!!!!
An OEM non airbag 3 spoke turbo wheel was in my possession. And the greatest thing is it matches the mileage and wear of the interior 
We ended up taking the car to a local car meet, where it had absolutely poured it down with rain. First time the car had been wet in around 15yrs! The only picture I have is a very poor one, as it was very depressing watching the old girl get rained on lol
and me looking grumpy drying it off in the meantime
That brings this car pretty much up to date, life gets in the way of these hobbies and having 2 "project" cars is too stressful!
in a much cleaner and dust free unit now which is a bonus as I no longer get shouted at by the owners clubs haha
But under the dust was still one of the best examples of a turbo in existence I promise Haha.
The car still started first time and sounded healthy, it was only when I realised just how bad the car had got it had been this long since it had some love. Now onto the fun stuff
a very rare optional extra CD player was sourced and put in. Yes these really did onky have a cassette player as standard! Now here's for an annoying part of the car. Somewhere in its life someone has put the later airbag steering wheel in. Being a very early 1993 example, one of the first off the production line in fact, it shouldn't have the airbags. So after much searching from everyone, and becoming £300 lighter!!!!!!
An OEM non airbag 3 spoke turbo wheel was in my possession. And the greatest thing is it matches the mileage and wear of the interior We ended up taking the car to a local car meet, where it had absolutely poured it down with rain. First time the car had been wet in around 15yrs! The only picture I have is a very poor one, as it was very depressing watching the old girl get rained on lol
and me looking grumpy drying it off in the meantimeThat brings this car pretty much up to date, life gets in the way of these hobbies and having 2 "project" cars is too stressful!
in a much cleaner and dust free unit now which is a bonus as I no longer get shouted at by the owners clubs hahas m said:
Looking good 
Thanks fella s m said:
Looking good
cheers matexjay1337 said:
Nice update.
The worst thing you can do is use MF towels to wipe a wet car , especially after driving, you'll just be introducing marks into the paint.
Let the wax etc do it's job. Water on the paint won't harm it :-)
It was a one off, the sun came out and i didn't want the rain to dry on it lol, it does have a ceramic coating on it so is protected from idiots like me haha. Noooo the rain is satan hahaThe worst thing you can do is use MF towels to wipe a wet car , especially after driving, you'll just be introducing marks into the paint.
Let the wax etc do it's job. Water on the paint won't harm it :-)
xjay1337 said:
Honestly, it's better to let the rain dry and then wash it properly at home. The ceramic coating will be very resistant to water marks, and it's not even that hot at the moment so the water wouldn't dry :-)
It's a very hard compulsion to shake off, trust me I know
(I worked as a professional detailer for several years).
Issue is the unit she stays in is a good 20mins away from home, I hardly see the car tbh. I was only reading the LC thread and realised i hadn't updated my own in a while hahaIt's a very hard compulsion to shake off, trust me I know
(I worked as a professional detailer for several years).
NotNormal said:
Keep up the good work. It's funny seeing the rose tinted chat around the Sierra Cosworth thread in GG pop up, but for me this is objectively the better car and is just sooo much rarer.
Dad has a relatively low mileage Diamond Black one he uses. They look soo small these days when in and and around modern stuff on the roads
Exhaust wise he has a stainless system but cut the aftermarket tailpipes off and welded on the originals, that way he has a nice free flowing stainless systems with the OE looks. Maybe something to consider if you want to retain the look.
Slightly stalker-ish I probably have your dad on Facebook then Dad has a relatively low mileage Diamond Black one he uses. They look soo small these days when in and and around modern stuff on the roads
Exhaust wise he has a stainless system but cut the aftermarket tailpipes off and welded on the originals, that way he has a nice free flowing stainless systems with the OE looks. Maybe something to consider if you want to retain the look.
Edited by NotNormal on Monday 25th November 11:29
turbo owners are a very tight community lol. The only criticism of this from others have always been them tailpipes, the frustrating thing is it sounds very nice. Literally just like a red top, wouldn't even know it was turbocharged. A lot of growling induction noise as well. But it is an idea to do. Thanks mate NotNormal said:
I expect he's off the radar tbh as, like me, he steers well clear of Facebook. He also has a Calibra Turbo, but I expect that will go at some point now he has the Cav which is a better example. Funnily enough he did the same with that exhaust too. I think there's a pattern here with him being under the radar as both look stock with about 300 ponies to motor about with
Ahh I see lol. For some reason the Calibra never got my motor running, I have no idea why. C20LET is so bloody easy to get power from, breather mods and a phase 3 chip you're rivelling the latest astra VXR for bhp top trumps. Crazy that a 25yr old engine can do thatT-bagger said:
Absolutely fantastic car sir, you’ve done your Mum proud there.
My first “proper” car was an immaculate white SRI 16V saloon with the red top C20XE engine - Turbo was the stuff of dreams.
Enjoy it.
Thanks fella means a lot. My first “proper” car was an immaculate white SRI 16V saloon with the red top C20XE engine - Turbo was the stuff of dreams.
Enjoy it.
I'd love a c20xe Corsa, sacrilege I know but the old redtops were awesome
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