Due to unexpected purchase and impending arrival of a new project my
extremely rare (one of 11 registered according to the website howmanyleft) Mk1
Cavalier 2000 GLS Sports Hatch is up for auction. I have set a very low reserve
as if I can find an excuse to keep this car then I will, I just need the space
at home or storage.
Details MoT until January 2013, tax until August 2012. Cheap classic insurance,
great retro looks from one of the rarest models left on the roads (especially
cheap!) and overall a very useable classic car – 30+mpg, goes well and cruises
with the traffic with ease. Full V5 here in my name.
Running Gear The 2-litre CIH engine is an absolute beauty. It’s silky smooth, revs
well, starts on the first turn of the key every time, is fuel efficient for an
old car and extremely flexible. It also sounds fantastic due to what looks like
a cherrybomb-type exhaust – I will try and take and upload a video before the
auction ends. You can’t help but smile every time you turn the key, but it does
lead to lots of unnecessary blipping of the throttle when parking and on
downshifts as it sounds that good!
Clutch, brakes, steering and four-speed gearbox all work and engage very
smoothly and overall it’s a very easy car to cruise around in. There is no crunching
from any gears or juddering/slippage from the clutch. As with most old cars
there’s a bit of a whine from the rear diff at motorway speeds, but this gets
no worse on long journeys and it’s nothing to worry about. There’s also a bit
of a squeak at low speeds from the front end somewhere – it’s all character!
Exterior The car has been resprayed black to a good standard at some point, and
shines up very nicely indeed. It turns heads and attracts admiring words on
almost every journey I take it on ( I use it as my daily driver, it’s that
reliable), although you will get sick of telling people that it is not a Manta!
As you would expect from an old car, there are some marks and signs of
age, the worst of which I have photographed. The rear arches, and small area of
the bonnet and the near-side front wing are bubbling. Overall though this is a
very solid old Cavalier which has bags of potential for anyone who fancies a
very light rolling restoration, retro project or, as I have, just enjoy it as
it is. I really am looking for a way to keep this car, so I’d advise to not
leave bidding, questions or potential viewings until the last minute!
The wheels are 14-inch BBS items from an E30 BMW. I think they look the
part.
Interior The interior is immensely comfortable. There is damage to the driver’s
seat as pictured and a couple of cracks on the dashtop, but other than that I
would describe it as being in generally good condition. The stereo works nicely
and the only thing I can think of that doesn’t work is the clock.
Any questions fire away, and viewing is welcomed. Please bare in mind
the age of this vehicle and that it is not a brand new car – idiots will not be
tolerated!
Happy bidding (but please don’t buy it!!) On 15-Apr-12 at 17:45:23 BST, seller added the following information: I've been asked for more rust-spotting photos of various areas, which I thought I would share on the listing. I'll make a video this evening or the car running and driving and also add that. As you'll see these confirm the extremely solid condition of this Cavalier - I cannot see any areas that would require welding and there is just a light surface bubble under the battery tray as you can see - I've poked it and it's solid! Certainly in better condition than most 7-year-old Fords! The car continues to attract so much attention and is forever getting complimentary words and looks.
Here we go. Boot lid in extremely good condition throughout.
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