MAKE. Vauxhall
MODEL. Cavalier 1.6 GL Mk3 5-door (2 owners, 43000 miles, Totally original)
YEAR. 1991
REGISTRATION. H
OWNERSHIP. Vauxhall Motors Limited + 1 private owner
MILEAGE. 43000 miles
- Original stamped service book and all owners’ manuals/handbooks
- Recently had comprehensive recommissioning service work
- Replacement cambelt and water pump
- Oil & filter changed using GM 10w/40 semi synthetic oil with o.e GM filter
- Replacement radiator with coolant flush and fresh antifreeze mixture
- Replacement centre and rear exhaust sections
- Replacement front brake discs and pads
- Replacement rear wheel cylinders
- Replacement brake master cylinder
- Replacement NGK BPR6E spark plugs
- Replacement air filter
- New Battery
- MOTd August 2021 (no advisories)
COLOUR. Glacier White (code 10L)
TRIM. Grey ‘Matlock’ velour trim with original Vauxhall overmats fitted from new
ENGINE SIZE. 1598cc 8v SOHC 4-cylinder with Pierburg twin choke carburettor 82 ps
TRANSMISSION. 5 speed manual
TOP SPEED. 110 mph
MODEL SUMMARY.
Wow ! Magnificent standard, original, and totally unspoilt Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 GL Mk3 5-door in Glacier White with Grey ‘Matlock’ velour trim. Registered in July 1991 on an ‘H’ prefix, this is the prettier pre-facelift Mk3 with cleaner, less fussy styling
Originally registered to Vauxhall Motors Limited, it was initially run as one of their own cars and meticulously serviced by Vauxhall franchised dealers, Welch of Newport. The original service book displays a full history with them to 36458 miles in 1994, at which point it was sold in August of that year through the Network Q Vauxhall dealer network, specifically Thame Vauxhall in Oxfordshire, to it’s 2nd keeper whom was a gentleman from Chesham in Buckinghamshire. This gentleman used the vehicle for a short while, taking the mileage to approximately where it is now, but sadly became ill and the car ultimately became ‘mothballed’ in the family garage for 26 years, until resurfacing and being sold by the family in 2020
It remained as it always was, a pristine 2 owner, 43000 mile car, in totally original, unspoilt condition. Naturally some mechanical recommisioning was required and during 2020 the car was subject to a replacement cambelt and water pump, oil & filter changed, replacement radiator with coolant flush and fresh antifreeze mixture, replacement centre and rear exhaust sections, replacement front brake discs and pads, replacement rear wheel cylinders, replacement brake master cylinder and a new battery. It wears 4 matching Michelin tyres with decent tread life, and when presented for MOT in August 2020 it passed with no advisories
Since the above, we have also just changed the oil and filter again using GM 10w/40 semi synthetic oil with o.e GM filter, thereby treating the previous recent change as a flush, and replaced the spark plugs with new NGK BPR6Es and the air filter for good measure
This car is quite remarkable, a total gem, completely original. This must not be underestimated, and makes it very rare indeed. This is not a restored, re-painted car brought back to former glory, but one that has remained unspoilt and untouched from new. A car can only be original once. All characterising original features such as it’s correct GL wheel trims, Philips model 670 radio/cassette, optional dealer fit Vauxhall mudflaps, to it’s black rear tailgate section with correctly placed badges, silver grille, bodyside mouldings, Carello headlamps all exactly as they should be. It still displays it’s Thame Vauxhall registration plates, and accompanying tax disc holder and tax disc that expired in July 1995, as placed in the window by Thame Vauxhall prior to the 2nd keeper taking delivery all those years ago. All windows display the registration number etched on to the glass. The spare wheel, jack and toolkit in their original packaging are all present and correct, as are the tailored car mats, fitted in the car from new
The interior is all but perfect, exactly as it left the factory. Photographed without it’s overmats in, the footwell carpets are as new, as are the matching doorcards, and the headlining. This really is a ‘time warp’ car, a phrase used all too often, but this car really is exactly as it always was, and sitting in it now is no different to sitting in it in the early ’90s. The GL model was a nice place to be and offered many niceties over the lesser ‘Base’ and ‘L’ models, including much plusher trim in ‘Matlock’ velour, a rev counter, electric front windows, rear centre armrest, additional courtesy lamps, green tinted glass, electric headlamp levelling and an electric aerial antenna. Additionally, there was a glass tilt/slide sunroof, front and rear headrests, vanity mirror, halogen headlamps, central door locking and electrically operated and heated door mirrors. Externally, the GL had body coloured bumpers, smarter wheeltrims, the black rear tailgate section, and in this case as mentioned previously, dealer fitted Vauxhall mudflaps. It still looks very smart, with everything working as it should
These MK3 Cavaliers always were a very good car. This particular car drives essentially as new, that is to say tight, and squeak and rattle free. The ’16SV’ motor is beautifully smooth, with willing performance, and allied to highish gearing makes for a most refined and comfortable, effortless driving experience. The gearbox and clutch are both light, and easy in operation, and the 175/70 14s allow excellent ride quality. In summary, it remains, in all sincerity, a quite lovely car to drive, and the feel good factor is further enhanced by the fact that it’s 30 odd years old and looks and feels almost brand new
We remember these MK3 Cavaliers well from our early car trading days, and had many ex-fleet examples when they were quite new back in the ’90s. Aimed squarely at Ford’s Sierra, in terms of the ‘cooking’ models, as here, they were a better car without any doubt, and we say that as die-hard Ford enthusiasts. The other main rival was Peugeot’s 405, a fine driving car, but the Cavalier ruled the world back then and was the company car of choice.
Without doubt one of the nicest and original Cavaliers of this era that will be found, this car is utterly superb in every way. With excellent ownership and mileage provenance, and needing nothing at all, this is a wonderful modern classic. Useable and untemperamental, it will provide many smiles and much fun, and should prove a sound investment
P/EX BIKE/CAR/CLASSIC – WHAT HAVE YOU ?
PRICE. £5995
