Vauxhall Special Editions 1990 - 1999

[Hendry]

In a similar vein to the Ford special editions topic we had not long ago, recently ive been seeing some special edition Vauxhalls in breakers that got me thinking about them, so thought lets start a topic on them and see what ones people remember and any ive maybe forgot or didnt know existed.

 

The first one im going to mention is one I saw in a breakers the other day which was quite oddly specced, the mk3 Astra "Arctic" which as the name suggests its main feature was air conditioning, possibly the first, and maybe only mk3 Astra to have it standard, this was a weird spec, because it had an all black interior with velour trim, the air con, front fog lights, reading lights built into the rear roof grab handles, rear head rests, a rear seat centre armrest and a passenger airbag, however it had wheel trims, half painted/half textured black plastic bumpers and black door mirror caps and keep fit windows all round, while my R reg LS had 15" alloys, coloured mirror caps, all colour coded painted bumpers except a black strip at the top which was in line with the black door strips, a sunroof and electric front windows but no air conditioning, light grey interior with horrid seat pattern, no rear head rests, rear armrest, reading lights, passenger airbag etc.

 

The others I remember are:

 

- Corsa Flair - cant remember what it came with

- Corsa Trip - I can only remember it being like an LS so rear wiper and so on, with added colour coded door mirrors

- Corsa Breeze - a mates mum had an M reg and it was like an LS but with a Sunroof and not much else.

- Astra California - a kinda weird seat trim pattern and blue stripe in the bumpers

- Astra Arizona - dont recall much of that either

- Astra Atlantis - again dont really recall it

- Astra Duo - Passenger airbag 

- Astra Premier - was a bit like the aforementioned Arctic but minus air con and had door badges which were the Euro 96 logo x3

- Cavalier Concept - just remember them being red and having a rather large "CONCEPT" decal on the front doors, very basic but sorta looked a bit like an SRi outside. 

- Nova Flair - no idea what these had but given most Novas were spartan probably some decals and mudflaps or something

- Vectra Arctic - LS spec but with air con and alloys

- Calibra - I think the SE1-9 were all special editions rather than actual proper range models

 

What else was there, who remembers any others and what their "attraction" was supposed to be?

 

 

[STUNO]

I had a Corsa  B that I can't remember the name of. It had every extra known to (vauxhall)  mankind including the 1400 twin cam . Will try to find a photo but it's on photobucket or worse. 

 

Big edit.

It is badged as CDX so probably a factory model, not a dealer special.

Photos found on Flikr !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does it still exist ?

[Cavcraft]

Nova Antibes. Smart looking things with ace trim. One's popped up for sale, way more than I can afford, sadly.

[vaughant]

Just thinking of the Antibes, very nice.

 

Astra championship edition? A la MK2 16v?

[Split_Pin]

The Corsa Flair had blue dials, heater and light knobs. A mate of mine converted one to S(p)ri spec a few years ago but kept all the dials and such like.

 

Cavalier Commander

Astra E Tiffany (damned silly name)

Nova Luxe

Astra GTE Anniversary

Corsa Vegas

[chrisjvm]

I had a Corsa B that I can't remember the name of. It had every extra known to (vauxhall) mankind including the 1400 twin cam . Will try to find a photo but it's on photobucket or worse.

 

Big edit.

It is badged as CDX so probably a factory model, not a dealer special.

Photos found on Flikr !

 

10780838853_94f3cfc7e1_z.jpg

 

9559426732_f036ba34a8_z.jpg

 

9556657039_7bf1cfcd06_z.jpg

 

9556651429_7e964959ca_z.jpg

 

9559437054_3dd33950a5_z.jpg

 

Does it still exist ?

Current MOT ...

 

 

Vehicle

VAUXHALL CORSA

MOT valid until

5 April 2018

Registration

N424JGC

Get a reminder email

Fuel type

Petrol

Colour

Blue

Date registered

7 September 1995

Check another vehicle

Incorrect details?

Check if there's a safety recall on this vehicle that hasn't been fixed

 

MOT history

Date tested

16 March 2017

PASS

Mileage

32,678 miles

MOT test number

4959 0917 9634

Expiry date

5 April 2018

Advisory notice item(s)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

[Ghosty]

There's an orange Corsa B a street over from me with little sun motifs on the doors, I'll have to try and see what it's called.

[Lacquer Peel]

Corsa Misery, Astra Desolation, Cavalier Acceptable

[Talbot]

Wasn't there also an "expression" cavalier special? I'm sure I remember the awfuk advert with a salesman's face on the advert, and his boss saying "take your stupid face off that expression" or similar.

[rantingYoof]

A neighbour of mine had a 1.4 auto Corsa Merit in jade green years ago.

 

It should have been called the Guantanamo Bay edition for all the comforts it had.

 

Surprisingly peppy thing though. Can't remember whether it was a 'hi-torq' engine or not.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Liggle]

MK3 Astra Cesaro - a set of different 5 spoke alloys, a badge on the wing/boot and sports seats. 
 

[STUNO]

Current MOT ...

 

 

Vehicle

VAUXHALL CORSA

MOT valid until

5 April 2018

Registration

N424JGC

Get a reminder email

Fuel type

Petrol

Colour

Blue

Date registered

7 September 1995

Check another vehicle

Incorrect details?

Check if there's a safety recall on this vehicle that hasn't been fixed

 

MOT history

Date tested

16 March 2017

PASS

Mileage

32,678 miles

MOT test number

4959 0917 9634

Expiry date

5 April 2018

Advisory notice item(s)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

 

Thanks, it has done about 10,000 miles since my time.

[Pillock]

Yeah, there was a Cavelier Expression with cross-spoke alloys.

I think Expression became a trim level later on for Corsa C and Astras though.

 

Carlton Diplomat? Special Edition or Trim Level?

[andy18s]

They never made a Cavalier Acceptable.

Think you'll find it was the Vauxhall Disappointment......#BillBailey

[Split_Pin]

They also made a Cavalier Diplomat which could be ordered with a V6 and leather interior. Yes please.

[Pillock]

[Pillock]

[Honey Badger]

The Mk2 Vauxhall Astra Chocolate camshaft edition came straight from the factory I believe.

[dougiefourspeed]

My sister had a Corsa Swing on an M-plate. It was a pretty basic 1.2 but it did have those rainbow seats which I always liked. Oh and my mate Sam had a Corsa 1.2 Vegas, so named because every time he went near the thing it'd empty his wallet. He weighed it in and bought an early K-reg 1.4 to replace it which was much better behaved.

[mercrocker]

Seem to remember a couple of Cavalier "Calibres" around - usually pogweasled red with various bits of body kit missing.   A nipper at work had a BTCC Vectra rep that seemed mainly to consist of "Vectra" in three foot letters down the side.   

[dougiefourspeed]

There was the Vectra B Super Touring. Which I think was the predecessor of the GSi V6.

 

[rantingYoof]

The 'Diplomat' and 'Diamond' were top spec editions of the Carlton saloon and estate respectively. I think the CDX was officially the highest spec that wasn't an edition of some kind. But I may be wrong.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[John F]

The DTM Calibras were 25 mm lower than standard, had BBS alloys and white paint with DTM badges on the doors.

 

 

Here are the full details of the Calibra special editions, stolen from Vauxpedia:

 

Special Editions:

Vauxhall Tickford Calibra - was the first limited edition Vauxhall Calibra, it was an approved conversion and not built by Vauxhall. Tickford were well known for producing special luxury and or performance versions of cars from a variety of different manufacturers. The idea behind the Tickford Calibra was to add an element of bespoke luxury to the car, but was perhaps not exciting enough and with the Calibra already well equipped with electric sunroof, electric windows etc. the makeover only consisted of Alcantara and Mandarin seats and interior trim, although some were later trimmed in grey leather with red piping seats. A top-class leather steering wheel by Italvolanti with matching leather gear shift gaiter were fitted along with front foot-well lights, door treadplates with Tickford engraved on them and the passenger side cubbyhole was filled with a leather lining. Special exterior badging on the wings & boot and Alley Cat alloys with Tickford centres were fitted. Both the 2.0i 8v & 2.0i 16v could be converted. The car was first shown in October 1991 at the London Motor Show at Earls Court, 19 dealers placed orders, but the car was not a success with only 26 built and is today extremely rare with only a handful left on the roads.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE - 1821 produced from 10.92 to 08.93 2.0i 8v. Special specification: Caribic Blue 2-coat metallic paint, 15inch 5-spoke alloy wheels& 195/60R ultra low profile tyres, Rain velour trim – leather option at a £600.00 special price, unique branded floor mats, leather trimmed steering wheel.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE2 - 429 produced from 09.93 to 04.94 2.0i 16v. Special specification: Solar Yellow paint, leather interior, heated front seats, 15inch 6-spoke alloy wheels.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE3 – 392 produced from 05.94 to 08.94 2.0i 8v. Special specification: Rioja two-coat pearlescent paint, special price.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE4 – 907 produced from 01.95 to 06.95 2.0i 8v. Special specification: Magnetic Blue two-coat pearlescent paint, cream leather interior, heated front seats, optional 4 speed automatic transmission, 5-spoke alloy wheels & 205/55R ultra low profile tyres.

 

Vauxhall Calibra DTM – 05.95. 2.0i 16v ECOTEC 167 produced, 2.5i 24v V6 ECOTEC 37 produced, 2.0i 16v Turbo 25 produced. Chequers Cloth seat trim, Anthracite leather trim with heated seats optional, leather covered steering wheel with grey grip inserts, lowered sports suspension with gas pressure dampers, white 7JX16 BBS alloy wheels, 205/50R ultra low profile tyres, body colour rear spoiler with built in brake light, body colour roof rails & door handles, DTM Motorsport badging, air conditioning optional and SC804CDC stereo radio / cassette / CD player with boot mounted autochanger.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE5 – 223 produced from 11.95 to 03.96 2.0i 8v. Special specification: Black two-coat solid paint, cream leather interior, heated front seats, optional 4 speed automatic transmission, lowered sports suspension with gas pressure dampers, 7JX16 BBS alloy wheels, 205/50R ultra low profile tyres, Grundig 4870 stereo radio / cassette player with 10-disc CD autochanger.

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE6 – 55 produced from 04.96 to 06.96 2.0i 8v. Special specification: Iceland Blue two-coat pearlescent paint, cream leather interior, air conditioning, optional 4 speed automatic transmission, 5-spoke alloy wheels & 205/50R ultra low profile tyres.

 

Vauxhall Calibra Turbo Limited Edition – 51 produced 08.96 2.0i 16v Turbo. Special specification: Black two-coat solid paint, body colour rear spoiler with built in brake light, lowered sports suspension with gas pressure dampers, 7JX16 BBS alloy wheels, 205/50R ultra low profile tyres, leather trim, heated seats, air conditioning, individually numbered with plaque on ashtray

 

Vauxhall Calibra SE7 – 33 produced from 09.96 to 12.96 2.0i 16v ECOTEC. Special specification: Magic Grey two-coat pearlescent paint, cream leather interior, heated front seats, air conditioning, 5-spoke alloy wheels & 205/50R ultra low profile tyres.

Vauxhall Calibra SE8 – 458 produced from 03.97 to 07.97 2.0i 16v ECOTEC. Special specification: Magnetic Blue two-coat pearlescent paint, Anthracite Lens cloth trim interior, air conditioning, body-colour rear spoiler, optional 4 speed automatic transmission, F-Line 5-spoke alloy wheels & 205/50R ultra low profile tyres.

Vauxhall Calibra SE9 – 301 produced from 05.97 to 07.97 2.5i 24v V6 ECOTEC. Special specification: Flame Red paint, Anthracite Leather trim interior, heated front seats, body-colour rear spoiler, optional 4 speed automatic transmission, 7JX16 BBS alloy wheels, 205/50R ultra low profile tyres.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

ATKINS!!!

[Talbot]

They also made a Cavalier Diplomat which could be ordered with a V6 and leather interior. Yes please.

But only ever with an automatic gearbox. Blokey just down the road from me has a 2.0i Chavalier Diplomat in a rather fetching green on a '93L. Apparently he bought it for £400 as a trade in 14 years ago. Bargainous motoring!

[John F]

Talbot, on 18 Sept 2017 - 10:29 AM, said:

But only ever with an automatic gearbox. Blokey just down the road from me has a 2.0i Chavalier Diplomat in a rather fetching green on a '93L. Apparently he bought it for £400 as a trade in 14 years ago. Bargainous motoring!

 

This thread on Retro rides and this ebay advert suggest that manual 2.5 V6 Diplomats were also available...

 

[Bianconeri]

Nova Antibes. Smart looking things with ace trim. One's popped up for sale, way more than I can afford, sadly.

Quite a coincidence Mrs BN's first car was a Nova Ski bought new from Tice Wimborne in 1986, basically a Merit with niceties like a radio, sunroof, white wheel trims and rear seatbelts!

 

I bought a Cavalier Commander from them in 1989/90 when I was working for myself. I think it was the first car that I'd owned that had fuel injection, though a couple of earlier company ones probably did.

[Jim Bergerac]

[Talbot]

Akshully..

Did not knoes that. Quite want a 2.5 v6 manual cav diplomat now!

[John F]

Did not knoes that. Quite want a 2.5 v6 manual cav diplomat now!

 

Me too