The future for Turbo #3...?!

[humbucker]

A few people have asked me what the future holds for Turbo #3 - some folk are interested in buying it, some are simply keen to find out what I intend to do with one of the best-loved Vauxhalls ever made (aka they can't believe I have a Cavalier Turbo 4x4 sitting here doing nothing!). After a lot of thinking, I might have the answer...

Turbo #1 has been sold (update to follow) and Turbo #2 takes its place as a modified/fast-road project in the pages of Retro Cars magazine. I bought Turbo #3 as a donor vehicle. I should point out the fact that I wasn't on the hunt for another Cavalier Turbo, but #3 was advertised locally, it was ridiculously cheap, and it came with fifteen boxes of factory spares and tuning parts. Essentially, I bought the car because it would have been stupid not to!

To cut a long story short, I returned home with Turbo #3 and partially stripped it before chucking it in a corner after selling the bits I didn't need for Turbo #2.

This left me with a redundant Cavalier Turbo (a car that is now missing many of its vital organs!). After all, Turbo #2 is the fast-road project, and the main reason that I was happy to let Turbo #1 leave for pastures new was because it was in danger of becoming surplus to requirements; difficult to believe I know, but the day that my MV6 project hits the road draws near! Furthermore, I have the Rolls as my 'Sunday Driver', my 250bhp Saab 95 Aero HOT estate acts as the family workhorse and Mrs Humbucker has a recently-acquired classic Saab 900 S 16-valve turbo convertible for days out in the sun.

So where does that leave Turbo #3? I've been asking myself the same question of late. The crusher? Noooo! It really is very straight - far too good to trash. Besides, this is the Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club: we save Cavaliers, we do not destroy them! Do I sell it? I would need to reassemble the car, get it up and running and put it through an MOT in order to receive a decent wedge for it. That's a lot of work for someone else's gain. Meh.

The answer may lie in a potentially controversial solution: I think I'm going to dedicate Turbo #3 to track use, but before you start sending me death threats for abusing one of the last remaining examples of this great Griffin, hear me out!

I took Turbo #1 to a few track days, but I quickly realised that while the ol' girl performed admirably as a poky road car and show queen, it was poorly suited to the racing circuit. I bought Turbo #2 to build into a modified fast-road car, thus not compromising when it came to keeping Turbo #1's originality. And then there were three.

As mentioned previously, I recently sold Turbo #1, and the fast-road Turbo #2 project continues apace. However, with fresh paint, an expertly re-trimmed (full) leather interior, loads of toys etc., Turbo #2 really isn't going to be suitable for track use, and I'm keen to play about on the asphalt. Therefore, my idea is to transform Turbo #3 from a Spectral Blue scrapyard survivor into a capable track machine.

To my knowledge, nobody has stripped a Cavalier Turbo 4x4 (and by stripped, I don't mean just removed the rear seats!) and dedicated it to track use, presumably because the cars are quite expensive in terms of vintage Vauxhall prices, they're increasing in value all the time, and the few lucky owners that are in possession of a Cavalier Turbo are keen to keep them on the road while maintaining the potential sale price of their pride and joy. I'm in a fortunate position, having had three of them in my possession until recently, with one sitting here doing sweet F.A. I might as well put it to good use.

I've already spoken to m'colleagues at Performance Vauxhall magazine with regard to documenting the progress of the project in the mag. They're keen, and have agreed in principle, it's just a matter of me finding the time to toil. This should be a bit easier now that recent work on my house is drawing to a close, coupled with the fact that the free time I have had of late has been spent modifying Mrs Humbucker's Saab. Of course, the MV6 needs to be up and running before anything Cavalier-shaped can take place. More on that to follow in a separate post.

So, there you have it! I'm thinking of putting Turbo #3 to work as a weekend toy/track machine! I'm probably gonna draw fire from some quarters, but at least I'll be saving another Cavalier from the crusher, and it will be refreshing to see one of the most valuable old-school Vauxhalls being used at the racing circuit in the same way that owners of Escort Cosworths and other turbocharged retro chod get their kicks. There are plenty of normally aspirated, front-wheel drive Cavaliers at the nation's favourite tracks, but I'm struggling to think of any genuine four-wheel drive, turbocharged Cavaliers being used more-or-less exclusively for racing. That's as much of a motivation for doing it as anything else!

Now all I need to do is design the car's livery, yeah?! Haha!

What d'ya reckon? Am I about to spit upon the face of all we hold dear? Or is this a brilliant plan that you're keen to see come to fruition? Discuss!

[Ads]

Dan, in my opinion it a good plan, even if its a fully stripped track car its still a genuine cavalier turbo 4x4 that's being save from the scrappy, I like the idea of a fully prepped tack day cav turbo, but in my opinion should be left in its standard colour, as I thinks cav turbos only suit the originals colour, but that only my opinion, at the end of the day its your car and you get it the way you like, Ads

[planetc]

How about Vauxhallcavalier.com livery?

[James McGrath]

I think people know where I stand on keeping things as standard as possible but I have to say the idea does have an appeal, especially if it hasn't been done before.

I say go for it!

I'd suggest keeping all the original bits somewhere though just in case you ever decide to go back.

[humbucker]

Dan, in my opinion it a good plan, even if its a fully stripped track car its still a genuine cavalier turbo 4x4 that's being save from the scrappy, I like the idea of a fully prepped tack day cav turbo, but in my opinion should be left in its standard colour, as I thinks cav turbos only suit the originals colour, but that only my opinion, at the end of the day its your car and you get it the way you like, Ads

Thanks for the words of encouragement, Ads. My suspicion is that there are a lack of Turbos as (competitive) track cars due to the fact that four-wheel drive systems and turbochargers would push the car into the realm of Evos and Imprezas at the track. It probably makes more sense to stick to front-wheel drive, normally aspirated action if you want to bag silverware! But where's the fun in that?!

How about Vauxhallcavalier.com livery?

I'll take your response as a positive one! Club branding will certainly be a feature of the final design... providing that the car isn't completely rotten and turns into a pile of rust by the time that I get around to playing about with it!

I think people know where I stand on keeping things as standard as possible but I have to say the idea does have an appeal, especially if it hasn't been done before. I say go for it! I'd suggest keeping all the original bits somewhere though just in case you ever decide to go back.

Sorry to disappoint James, but this will be a one way ticket. Irreversible changes a-plenty! Then again, perhaps I should keep that rare rear bench, 'just in case'?! Hehe!

[TurboDan]

Well i think this is a silly idea! Sell it to me instead

[Lowrider Dave]

So, you'll have an interior going spare then...?


Although I prefer the restore and use route, you have already done that and you know that the car needs some work, so why not create something drivable and different. Now, get a trailor and tow hook for the SAAB and get going with it! I'm sure there will be manufacturers helping you along the way
Livery you say? Hmm, if only there was a graphic designer out there, lol.

[humbucker]

Well i think this is a silly idea! Sell it to me instead

Okay, will do. What's the going rate for a Turbo? 5k sound fair?!

Oh, hang on a moment. Didn't I already offer you this car? IIRC, you declined my invitation!

So, you'll have an interior going spare then...?

Although I prefer the restore and use route, you have already done that and you know that the car needs some work, so why not create something drivable and different. Now, get a trailor and tow hook for the SAAB and get going with it! I'm sure there will be manufacturers helping you along the way
Livery you say? Hmm, if only there was a graphic designer out there, lol.

Yes, I will have a spare interior, although I'll be tempted to keep the Turbo/GSi/IRS-specific rear bench as a spare for Turbo #2. It won't fit your car anyway (you'll need a CDX/Diplomat rear bench to match the Turbo's front seats).

And yeah, the trailer and tow bar idea has already crossed my mind

I've already spoken to a few service and parts suppliers. They're keen to get involved, so now it's just a matter of me finding the time! It all looks good on paper, I just need to decide what 'spec' to built the car to. There's no point investing in parts A and B if it means that I'm unable to use the car for some event or another further down the line.

[Envoy CDX]

Got my seal of approval Dan - needs to be done.

[Lowrider Dave]

I just need to decide what 'spec' to built the car to.

Yeah, that can be tricky given the requirements that each class or group requires. As you know, several Migweb guys race in different classes, so at least there is probably some help there.