Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier was a medium-sized family car, sold in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the UK subsidiary of General Motors. Launched in 1975, it was essentially a restyled version of the German Opel Ascona, produced at Vauxhall's factory in Luton. It was available as a two and four-door saloon, as well as a two and three-door coupe, which was identical to the Opel Manta. The Cavalier differed from the Ascona, which was sold alongside it in the UK, by adopting the aerodynamic front end or 'droop snoot', first used on the Firenza. This model was also sold as the Chevrolet Chevair in South Africa.
A front wheel drive version was introduced in 1981, using the same basic underpinnings as the smaller Astra/Kadett. This model, along with the Opel's Ascona, the Australian Holden Camira, the Japanese Isuzu Aska, and the North American Chevrolet Cavalier, was part of GM's family of medium sized 'J-Cars' In the UK, the new Cavalier was a success and challenged the supremacy of the Ford Cortina as the company-car of choice.
This model was produced as a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback, although an estate version, based on the Holden Camira was also available, and a convertible was also sold. For the first time, Vauxhall began exporting cars in left hand drive to other European countries, badged as Opels, which was a boost to GM's confidence in its once troubled British subsidiary. (When the Cavalier was first introduced the cars were in fact built at GM's plant in Belgium).
The last Cavalier was introduced in 1988, being Vauxhall's version of the Opel Vectra, again as a saloon and hatchback. There was no estate version in the Opel line-up, and as the Vectra was not going to be sold in Australia, there was no prospect of Vauxhall turning to Holden for a replacement. The Cavalier name was dropped in favour of 'Vectra' in 1995.
