Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
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- Cavalier342
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Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
So been looking around tonight, really want to get my clutches into a Mk1 or Mk2 Cavalier, loads about, some are a few grand, but seen some really nice looking GL spec Mk2 ones for a few hundred quid bidding, in the rare pale blue colour like my old China Blue Mk3.
Thing is I love my Mk3's and I don't want to break either just yet, but the auto is heading that way slowly, what I wanted to know is, what are parts like for availability for the earlier ones? I know there's always headlamps and tail lights etc on ebay for Mk2 Cavaliers, but generally speaking is it still viable to restore one? I love the look of the early mark saloons, not keen on hatchbacks, but the saloons look proper nice in my opinion.
No solid plans just yet but really am thinking this over....
Thing is I love my Mk3's and I don't want to break either just yet, but the auto is heading that way slowly, what I wanted to know is, what are parts like for availability for the earlier ones? I know there's always headlamps and tail lights etc on ebay for Mk2 Cavaliers, but generally speaking is it still viable to restore one? I love the look of the early mark saloons, not keen on hatchbacks, but the saloons look proper nice in my opinion.
No solid plans just yet but really am thinking this over....
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- planetc
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Learn to weld and you will probably manage
"No the temperature gauge doesn't work........
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
- Envoy CDX
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
What he said.planetc wrote:Learn to weld and you will probably manage
Some of the MK2's and MK1's I've seen and looked at are more jigsaw puzzles than cars.
Learn to weld (and fabricate panels) and you'll be fine.
- Cavalier342
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Cheers for the heads up... May have to give it a bash at some point.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- James McGrath
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Great idea!
If you want something different go for a MK1 and enjoy some RWD fun.
Otherwise MK2 would probably be an easier restoration.
If you want something different go for a MK1 and enjoy some RWD fun.
Otherwise MK2 would probably be an easier restoration.
- Cavalier342
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
James McGrath wrote:Great idea!
If you want something different go for a MK1 and enjoy some RWD fun.
Otherwise MK2 would probably be an easier restoration.
I wouldn't mind either.... love the massive dashboards on the Mk2's But then again the Mk1 has the proper classic looks.... Definitely not for drifting, I just want a restoration project. Maybe I'll make a decision one day, who knows. I thought it's best going for an earlier Cavalier mark as I'm fairly familiar with the Mk3, even if they're not that much related.....
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- Envoy CDX
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I prefer the look of the mk1, but thw,familiarity of the j platform of the mk2.
Mk3 really is a heavily facelifted mk2 anyhow, with curves.
Mk3 really is a heavily facelifted mk2 anyhow, with curves.
- humbucker
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I love the mk2, would love a Calibre or an SRi hatch, but get to grips with your Mk3 first, they're likely to be a lot more forgiving than the Mk1/Mk2 rotboxes.
Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I'm considering a mk1 astra or mk2 cavalier.
Anything this old really has to be cared for so learning to weld is a must.
Anything this old really has to be cared for so learning to weld is a must.
....with a brew and my favourite biscuits.
- James McGrath
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I honestly think the MK2 SRi hatch is one of the best looking cars to come out of the 80's. Must be a hatchback however.
MK1 sports hatch isn't bad looking either though.
MK1 sports hatch isn't bad looking either though.
- Envoy CDX
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Exactly.btcctroy wrote:I'm considering a mk1 astra or mk2 cavalier.
Anything this old really has to be cared for so learning to weld is a must.
Hatchbacks rule.James McGrath wrote:I honestly think the MK2 SRi hatch is one of the best looking cars to come out of the 80's. Must be a hatchback however.
MK1 sports hatch isn't bad looking either though.
- Kevwaggy
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I can't look at a mk1 without wondering if a v6 will fit in it
"You offer someone a sincere compliment on their moustache and suddenly she's not your friend anymore"
I've decided I would really like a sex change, preferably from 'none' to 'absolutely shitloads'
I've decided I would really like a sex change, preferably from 'none' to 'absolutely shitloads'
- Envoy CDX
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Probably when you start looking at Omega V6's and boxes.Kevwaggy wrote:I can't look at a mk1 without wondering if a v6 will fit in it
- vauxhallnutter
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Parts are still a plenty for the mk1 and 2 if you know where to look, the owners clubs are the best place to start and e-bay occasionally brings up the goodies. There are still quite a few clean 1 and 2's that come up but like clean 3's they command top money but then you would most likely spend the extra and more welding up a rotter!
Good luck in your search
Good luck in your search
- Cavalier342
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Cheers dude, you never know when a bargain comes up
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- James McGrath
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- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:35 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
This looks like a good one if you're still thinking about getting one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-VAUXHALL ... 27e5f703f8
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-VAUXHALL ... 27e5f703f8
- Cavalier342
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Thanks James. Does look ok.....
I've kind of shelved the idea for now.... Although it's not forgotten!
I've kind of shelved the idea for now.... Although it's not forgotten!
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE
Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
- Metallicav
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I quite like mk1 and 2 Cavs, especially a black mk1 GLS. Someone my mate knows has recently bought a Sky Blue mk1 as a project.
Glacier White 92 16SV Cavalier L
Glacier White 95 16V Cavalier Sri
Jungle Green Vectra b Sri Estate Daily
Glacier White 95 16V Cavalier Sri
Jungle Green Vectra b Sri Estate Daily
- VauxhallGirl
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
I owned three Mk1's. Loved them all...but my fave was a jade green 1.9 coupe. Nice.
- planetc
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Re: Considering a Mk2/Mk1 Cavalier to restore
Tidy mk1 started parking outside one of the local motor factors, will try and get a photo
"No the temperature gauge doesn't work........
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"
we've driven 150 miles today........
the heater went cold last Thursday........
they check the level when it's serviced don't they?"