The owl was definitely there to subliminally insinuate that the Cavalier is the wise choice. You always think of a wise owl. Well played in the marketing department
It's been quite some time since I've seen one of these on the road (used to see them all the time as a kid) but I must say, on reflection it is a really smooth, clean and modern shape for 1988! Perhaps not sporty to drive but the 2.0 16v and 2.0 Turbo versions were genuinely quick for their day (and probably more fun than any current Vauxhall with it!).
I'm a Ford man at heart but I ran a Isuzu diesel one of these until it worked its valves in to the seats at 400k. Dull as hell to drive but unbustable.
Totally relate to this. My dad was a cabbie and had a 1992 diesel Cav, put around 600k on it before it fell apart, he got it as a nearly new one too and saved a packet. He said it was the best car for private hire of the era by a long shot.
@@sloeginandsleep1170 solid old wagon they were. Better than a late Sierra, not as good as Mondeo. The Isuzu diesel version was sublimely smooth (old IDI junk) and whilst unsophisticated compared to the contemporary French stuff was a good deal smoother and I doubt a calmer and more noise abated diesel has been made since. Wasn't the best for power but they were very quiet for what they were. The old PSA XUD9 engine was a generation ahead in power and drivability though.
@@musmodtos The mondeo build quality was crap though. Horrible electrics, bumpers made of glass, brittle plastics on the dash, harsh and noisy diesels.... The only good bit about the mondeo was the zetec engines and it was decent round the bends. Cav was better in almost every other area though.
Had a few of these Cavaliers many moons ago, fond memories and great cars the 2.0i was a real favourite and bomb proof. The world simply doesn’t make cars like this anymore.
The Mk3 Vauxhall Cavaliers were the best of the Cavalier line-up, better rustproofing, safer design in crashes, plus a much more comfortable driving experience and interior.
I expect Both Mark 2 and 3 Cavs would make good retro daily drivers on todays roads for the higher mileage classic car driving; 15-20k a year. Even the Mark 1 would be fine
Hard to believe this was 34 years ago and there were thousands of Mk3 Cavaliers in the 1990s, now there only about 750 left. And the restyled Vectra from 1995 is also getting rare.
Owned two mk3 Cavaliers 1.8 L's loved them both. Much better than my Sierra Sapphire which felt heavy and cumbersome after the Cavaliers. I also remember seeing them at the 1988 NEC motorshow. The 2.0i CD Auto would be my pick today.
@@christiangrey3645 Vectra's were much better than their reputation would have you believe, did seem like a slight backward step from the Mk3 Cavalier though
Wonderful! I've had 3 MK3 Cavaliers in my time, a 1.8i Cesaro, a V6 CDX and a GSi 2000 16v. This was peak Vauxhall in my opinion, it was widely praised and has aged far better than Sierra. Easy car to work on, easy car to drive. Mine are all long gone - but remember them fondly. I also miss velour!! Notice these have the previous generation stalks on them which didn't make it to the production models which came with the revised and much nicer stalks that a number of low volume manufacturers took on such as Lotus and TVR.
Really observant about the stalks. And I think you’re right in saying peak Vauxhall. Tbh I love these and the Sierras and Mondeos that followed. Cars have been on a downward spiral since IMO.
It's sad just how gimmicky and overstyled cars have become. There's just something about the purity of purpose with cars from this era, very much lacking in the garbage of today.
The MK3 Cavalier was definitely a high point in Vauxhall's history, and for me, is actually better than the Vectra that replaced it. Great car I'll always remember fondly.
Very aerodynamic shapes and good well proportioned styling was the standout feature for me. The driving was a bit dull tbh, but very good motorway cars. I would drive from London to Leeds on business meetings once a month. Started out with a gutless 1.6L then progressed to a slightly less gutless 1.8i (after pestering the fleet manager) and then was 'promoted' to a 2.0 Vectra which was quick at last and would rev out well - but then had no grip on windy roads. My 1.6 used to run on for a few seconds after I turned it off and got out, much to everyone's amusement! Happy, simpler days..
12.05. Those electric Aerials were the Bain of my dads life. He had an F reg cavalier GL from new for 7 years. The last few years he was constantly repairing and greasing the aerial to keep it operational 😂 Great car otherwise tho 👍🏼
We also had the T car but only as a two door or four door hatchback Our Cavaliers are a little bit different than yours. We had a five door station wagon, , a coupe, a two door hatchback, and a four-door sedan in our market Cavalier competed with the Escort for our medium size car we had a car called the celebrity or the Ciara or the 6000
I’m in my mid 40s and having owned a couple of Mark 2’s and a fleet of mk3 Cavaliers, I have to say I had no idea that the very early mk3 had the same indicator stalks and wiper stalks as the mk2, I even clocked on in this video a mk3 with a mk2 steering wheel….. I wonder if they were preproduction models for this video and they didn’t have the right stuff. Also clocked a GL with L wheel trims… This video was 88 and I thought they came out in 89. On a sidenote what the heck was the owl all about?!😂
I may be wrong, but the music at the end I think I have also heard on Ford Sierra or Scorpio promotional videos. Great car the Cavalier though. Had a couple myself and I loved them.
The early Cavalier deadlocking system had a flawed design, pull the interior button up on a front door at the same time as the exterior handle that door would open. Vauxhall fixed that flaw with the 93 MY facelift.
Weird that they held onto the Cavalier name on such a new, fresher design. I remember ads for the New Vectra as a kid in Ireland, it seemed very exciting
Owned various from 1.6 to 2.0 16v - all great. A decent all round car, probably from Vauxhall's greatest era. It started to go a bit wrong after the Cav, at the same time Ford were really upping their game.
Fair enough, Vauxhall hadn’t really manufactured its own models for what? a decade plus at the time the “Vectra A” was launched. But I’m British, they were called Vauxhalls here (and we had a few Opels, yes) Might as well say they are American cars then, since at that time they were owned by GM.
The owl was definitely there to subliminally insinuate that the Cavalier is the wise choice. You always think of a wise owl. Well played in the marketing department
I was trying to figure that out lol. Thought at first it was a cool predator thing, making it's rivals look soft or tame. 🤦♂️
You called it bud 👌😉 😅
You can vaguely see the beginnings of the Saab NG900 in the design.
It's been quite some time since I've seen one of these on the road (used to see them all the time as a kid) but I must say, on reflection it is a really smooth, clean and modern shape for 1988! Perhaps not sporty to drive but the 2.0 16v and 2.0 Turbo versions were genuinely quick for their day (and probably more fun than any current Vauxhall with it!).
What we need to convey the qualities of the new Cavalier is a small, high-pitched owl. Make it happen!
I'm a Ford man at heart but I ran a Isuzu diesel one of these until it worked its valves in to the seats at 400k.
Dull as hell to drive but unbustable.
Totally relate to this. My dad was a cabbie and had a 1992 diesel Cav, put around 600k on it before it fell apart, he got it as a nearly new one too and saved a packet. He said it was the best car for private hire of the era by a long shot.
@@sloeginandsleep1170 solid old wagon they were.
Better than a late Sierra, not as good as Mondeo.
The Isuzu diesel version was sublimely smooth (old IDI junk) and whilst unsophisticated compared to the contemporary French stuff was a good deal smoother and I doubt a calmer and more noise abated diesel has been made since.
Wasn't the best for power but they were very quiet for what they were.
The old PSA XUD9 engine was a generation ahead in power and drivability though.
I've got my eye on an ancient Isuzu Elf truck that's sitting in a derelict yard - still practical today (if a bit slow.)
@@musmodtos The mondeo build quality was crap though. Horrible electrics, bumpers made of glass, brittle plastics on the dash, harsh and noisy diesels.... The only good bit about the mondeo was the zetec engines and it was decent round the bends. Cav was better in almost every other area though.
Had a few of these Cavaliers many moons ago, fond memories and great cars the 2.0i was a real favourite and bomb proof. The world simply doesn’t make cars like this anymore.
Vectra or Cavalier was way ahead of its time in terms of design. The curvy finishes wasn't usual at all back then.
The Mk3 Vauxhall Cavaliers were the best of the Cavalier line-up, better rustproofing, safer design in crashes, plus a much more comfortable driving experience and interior.
I expect Both Mark 2 and 3 Cavs would make good retro daily drivers on todays roads for the higher mileage classic car driving; 15-20k a year. Even the Mark 1 would be fine
@Blondie oh nice. How old?
Hard to believe this was 34 years ago and there were thousands of Mk3 Cavaliers in the 1990s, now there only about 750 left. And the restyled Vectra from 1995 is also getting rare.
Most will have been reps cars so would have been scrapped
Owned two mk3 Cavaliers 1.8 L's loved them both.
Much better than my Sierra Sapphire which felt heavy and cumbersome after the Cavaliers.
I also remember seeing them at the 1988 NEC motorshow.
The 2.0i CD Auto would be my pick today.
I had the turbo 4x4 and its still on the road and was in performance vauxhall 7 yrs ago
We didn’t get any features like this until the early 2000s in the United States. Very interesting that GM had this back in the 80s.
Probably the best car Vauxhall built, a great all rounder
(My favourite is the PA and PB Velox...because they're pretty.)😊
Most definitely. And the MK1 Vectra (UK).
@@christiangrey3645 Vectra's were much better than their reputation would have you believe, did seem like a slight backward step from the Mk3 Cavalier though
@@kieranwhite6647 Vectras were pig ugly though
Opel did a good job!
Not bad quality for a 34 year old video tape.
Wonderful! I've had 3 MK3 Cavaliers in my time, a 1.8i Cesaro, a V6 CDX and a GSi 2000 16v. This was peak Vauxhall in my opinion, it was widely praised and has aged far better than Sierra. Easy car to work on, easy car to drive. Mine are all long gone - but remember them fondly.
I also miss velour!!
Notice these have the previous generation stalks on them which didn't make it to the production models which came with the revised and much nicer stalks that a number of low volume manufacturers took on such as Lotus and TVR.
Really observant about the stalks. And I think you’re right in saying peak Vauxhall. Tbh I love these and the Sierras and Mondeos that followed. Cars have been on a downward spiral since IMO.
@@adamlee3772 MK1 Mondeo saloon is such a pleasing and well proportioned shape!
1980s designs were often rather logical, sensible and practical...I love my old Mazda E Series - crisp, neat and _spacious._
Had 2 of these, a 2.0i ran 220.000km and then scrapped. The other a 1.8i ran 450.000 km before scrapped. I took good care of it, changing oil often.
I had one of these- I miss actual usable glove boxes!
It's sad just how gimmicky and overstyled cars have become. There's just something about the purity of purpose with cars from this era, very much lacking in the garbage of today.
Remember the Mk 3 Cavalier Autumn launch as a 14 year old at the 1988 NEC Motor show time flies 34 years ago
The MK3 Cavalier was definitely a high point in Vauxhall's history, and for me, is actually better than the Vectra that replaced it. Great car I'll always remember fondly.
Vauxhall's high point was a rebadged Opel?
Very aerodynamic shapes and good well proportioned styling was the standout feature for me. The driving was a bit dull tbh, but very good motorway cars. I would drive from London to Leeds on business meetings once a month.
Started out with a gutless 1.6L then progressed to a slightly less gutless 1.8i (after pestering the fleet manager) and then was 'promoted' to a 2.0 Vectra which was quick at last and would rev out well - but then had no grip on windy roads.
My 1.6 used to run on for a few seconds after I turned it off and got out, much to everyone's amusement! Happy, simpler days..
12.05. Those electric Aerials were the Bain of my dads life. He had an F reg cavalier GL from new for 7 years. The last few years he was constantly repairing and greasing the aerial to keep it operational 😂 Great car otherwise tho 👍🏼
Hoje ainda tenho um Vectra CD 1994 desde 2002
We also had the T car but only as a two door or four door hatchback
Our Cavaliers are a little bit different than yours. We had a five door station wagon, , a coupe, a two door hatchback, and a four-door sedan in our market Cavalier competed with the Escort for our medium size car we had a car called the celebrity or the Ciara or the 6000
We had a 1.4 L. It was rather like a big Astra mk2. It was also quite nippy.
Looks like Braemar to Glenshee Road. When Vauxhalls were good
When Vauxhall's became rebadged Opel's they became good.
I’m in my mid 40s and having owned a couple of Mark 2’s and a fleet of mk3 Cavaliers, I have to say I had no idea that the very early mk3 had the same indicator stalks and wiper stalks as the mk2, I even clocked on in this video a mk3 with a mk2 steering wheel….. I wonder if they were preproduction models for this video and they didn’t have the right stuff. Also clocked a GL with L wheel trims… This video was 88 and I thought they came out in 89.
On a sidenote what the heck was the owl all about?!😂
My dad had one of the first off the production line. It had the MK3 stalks. I think these must be pre prod cars as you say.
@12:59 Low-spec Astra mk2 steering wheel on this one.
Owl probably stands for wisdom when it comes to design and building of cars.
The owl's a metaphor, come on get with it 🤓😂
It seems to have GL wheel trims when it goes onto the boat and L trims when it comes off the boat!
I may be wrong, but the music at the end I think I have also heard on Ford Sierra or Scorpio promotional videos.
Great car the Cavalier though. Had a couple myself and I loved them.
LOVE 1:08!!!!!
It’s a shame there was never an estate version of the third and final generation Cavalier.
Good point! Never thought of that and you're right.
The early Cavalier deadlocking system had a flawed design, pull the interior button up on a front door at the same time as the exterior handle that door would open. Vauxhall fixed that flaw with the 93 MY facelift.
Weird that they held onto the Cavalier name on such a new, fresher design. I remember ads for the New Vectra as a kid in Ireland, it seemed very exciting
It was the first Vectra in Europe, but stayed Cavalier in the UK for some reason.
I remember seeing one in Spain and being confused about it being badged as a Vectra not knowing they were only badged as Cavaliers in the UK.
Owned various from 1.6 to 2.0 16v - all great. A decent all round car, probably from Vauxhall's greatest era. It started to go a bit wrong after the Cav, at the same time Ford were really upping their game.
They were good because they were Opel's rebadged as Vauxhall s
Fair enough, Vauxhall hadn’t really manufactured its own models for what? a decade plus at the time the “Vectra A” was launched. But I’m British, they were called Vauxhalls here (and we had a few Opels, yes) Might as well say they are American cars then, since at that time they were owned by GM.
I'd love one of these in misery base spec.
Or poverty spec as I call it 😉
Vectra A good car
I did hear that half a tennis ball could open a Cavalier?
13:00 did any production cavaliers actually come with this steering wheel?
I think the base spec (Cavalier Standard) was the only model that did
Yes I believe my Dad’s F reg 1.4 Merit saloon did. It was exceptionally basic I remember!
If my memory has not failed me!
good to see vauxhall have never used any other material than a baked bean can for their cars. always shite forever and the grimness is off the scale
The interior quality, especially the plastics they used turned me off these shitboxes forever. Toyota were miles ahead