Korean Cavalier - Back in the barn!

[Austin-Rover]

Say hello to another impulse purchase, and yet another vehicle that I have absolutely no need for whatsoever. First seen in the eBay tat thread a few weeks ago, I had initially talked myself out of it, and the listing was removed anyway and all was well. A week or so later the listing returned, my defences were down and before I knew it I was on the phone to the seller and we agreed on a price. An uneventful trip to Rotherham ensued and it now sits outside the house with three other GM J-Cars - this one is by far the most snappily dressed with its Italian suit!

 

Pictures show it 'as found' and after a quick wash - polishing to follow. It's the top model - 2.0 CDXi - and still has its original stereo and CD changer. Sadly the free-with-every-Daewoo mobile phone has long gone. (Any anoraks know what mobile(s) Daewoo were supplying with their cars at the time?). It also came with the crap personalised reg. number pictured. It has scabby wheel arches and a few scabs on the doors to rub down but otherwise seems sound. Beggars can't be choosers when it comes to Esperos (especially if you want a 2.0 with a proper gear box), so this one will have to suffice unless one with decent wheel arches appears in the future.

 

 

 

2015-07-22 17.24.06 by Richard Gelder, on Flickr

 

2015-07-22 17.24.28 by Richard Gelder, on Flickr

 

2015-07-22 17.23.39 by Richard Gelder, on Flickr

 

2015-07-22 17.24.43 by Richard Gelder, on Flickr

 

2015-07-22 17.24.59 by Richard Gelder, on Flickr

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I forgot these existed!! Top buying. LOVE the sumptuous looking rear bench

[UltraWomble]

Wasnt it the Siemens S6 phone. I vaguely remember posters to that effect at the local Hafrauds Mega Store who were a DayWoo agent at the time.

[Cavcraft]

Effing brilliant, not seen one in ages.  100/10, can't do better.

[dollywobbler]

YES! How to win at Autoshite in one fell swoop. 

[Squire_Dawson]

Good chod, I never knew they existed.

[Pillock]

So how much Cavalier is in these? They did a better job than the Astra->Nexia which was a mild smoothing of the corners of the lights and a few differences on the dash. Looks very sharp that does, back seat is huuuge!

[motormatt]

Now that's what I call shite 1997! That looks like it's quantum leaped from the forecourt to your driveway.

[stillOrange]

Designed by Bertone ...

 

I remember when they started coming out in Poland. Built in the same factory as FSO Polonez. Same quality

[skattrd]

I do like an Esperooo, what are they actually like to drive and live with?

[saucedoctor]

Lovely stuff. Well played.

[chaseracer]

Designed by Bertone ...

 

...after a liquid lunch spent rehashing his drawings for the XM with a bit of Xantia thrown in around the front end... 

[MarvinsMom]

a diawoo esperanto.... i cannot remember the last time i saw one!

 

i'd forgotten how good these cars actually looked, top buying sir!!

[sierraman]

I've an original sales brochure in the loft for the 1997 Daewoo range.

[Ghosty]

YES

[Skizzer]

Good work sir.

 

These went straight from being slightly dull street clutter to rare-as-ocelot-wings pretty much overnight.  Looks like its in decent order, too.

[outlaw118]

Nicely done that man, there was a Daewoo dealer at Lakeside, and you could print out your ideal spec car by answering a series of multiple choice questions on a computer. i.e. "Is power important to you" and "do you want a luxury car" etc etc. 

 

If you wanted everything - which I did, this is the one the all-knowing computer decided you should have. Metallic paint was something outrageous like £150+vat IIRC.

[omegod]

Looks a bit like the early Subaru Legacy to me ! I think there may be one lurking at a scrappy near me

[New POD]

Tell us about the B reg, hiding behind

 

 

I want to know about the mk2

[stillOrange]

I think Richard should share the full extent of his collection with everyone. There's a lot of win there from what I know.

[Squire_Dawson]

Richard is something of a connoisseur when it comes to chod.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

What a winnAr wagon!!!!! Great work that man. :wub: :wub: :wub:

[vulgalour]

Esperos look amazing, one of the best car designs ever.

[cms206]

That has blown the arse clean off the CMS_TOWERS patent Wantometer.

 

Awesome.

[Alexg]

Best looking Daewoo by a mile. Nice work

[r.welfare]

Hirst has been all over the eBay thread tonight but I thought he'd blow a stack over this

[stuboy]

i did like them

[overrun]

Pokey

Bum

Wank

[Austin-Rover]

I had an idea there was a bit of pent-up love for the Espero around here.

 

I've been on a round trip to The Fylde this evening, and apart from it confirming what the Autocar road test said at the time (it has a bit of a thirst!) It was a very agreeable way to cover 150-or so miles. It has the familiar roughtyness of the Family II engines in the Cavaliers, but with a bit of extra oomph. That, and a softer ride than the Cavaliers means it's actually a rather comfy car.

 

Oh, and the B reg one sneaking in to shot...it's a facelift GLS (carb, not injected). No one has knowingly seen another this century...they're all GLS i 's.

[Shep Shepherd]

I've always liked the look of the Espero. It's still pretty stylish today