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| Vauxhall 2000 Cavalier GLS 1979 |
When the Cavalier was first shown at the 1975 London Motor Show at Earls Court, it was a genuine surprise, catching the media and buyers off guard. The stylish saloon and coupé combination was soon attracting rave reviews, hitting the market in the dying days of the Mk3 Cortina. Initial road tests were also complimentary; What Car Magazine said in a group test with the Ford Cortina and Morris Marina, 'Vauxhall's version of the Opel Ascona has helped put the previously ailing Luton firm on the road to recovery - and it's easy to see why. The Cavalier is a good handling, sport saloon aimed directly at the Cortina...' The magazine went on: 'As far as driver appeal is concerned, the Cavalier must be one of the best - perhaps the best - conventional saloon at the
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| Vauxhall 2000 Cavalier GLS 1979 |
price. Its steering is accurate and responsive at all times, and it is not too heavy at parking speeds. Its cornering ability on smooth roads is excellent, although the well-located rear axle can hop about if the surface is poor. The ride may be a little firm for some tastes, but the ride/handling compromise is near perfect.' Buyers certainly liked it, but that caused problems itself. Early availability was poor, with dealers clamouring for stock while the waiting list grew. With production limited to a shared factory in Belgium, this was always going to be the case until production at Luton was prepared and the Victor FE (now known as the VX range) wound down. In the end, the Luton plant came on stream in 1977, also seeing the arrival of the 1256cc car. Eric Fountain, Vauxhall's Manufacturing Director, drove the first British Cavalier off the production line on 26 August 1977 - and immediately after, the supply problems eased. And this removed the Cavalier's main barrier to mass-market success.
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