eBay

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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