The fact that I had Cavalier Turbo #1 taxed all year round encouraged me to make good use of the car, and I found myself driving it at every available opportunity. In doing so, the Satin Red stunner accompanied me on various feature photo shoots, occasionally being thrust in front of the lens while my photographer and I await the arrival of whichever star motor is getting ready for its close-up.
Consequently, these unplanned shots of my car have cropped up in various magazines when articles have name checked the Cavalier Turbo 4x4. A personal favourite ‘outtake’ sees my six-speed saloon getting comfortable with what is probably the most valuable Vauxhall of them all – 1970s track attacker, Baby Bertha (the Droop Snoot Firenza made famous by the joint efforts of tuning legend, Bill Blydenstein, and ‘the racing driver’s racing driver’, Gerry Marshall).
Putting the Cavalier through its paces without regard for the weather has certainly taken its toll on the appearance of the ol’ girl, and it was with that in mind that I decided to invest in a dual action polishing machine. It’s a purchase that I’ve been considering for a while, not least of all because I tend to spend days cleaning and polishing my cars, only to stand back and wish that elbow grease coupled with a healthy dose of determination was enough to eliminate those inevitable hard-to-eradicate swirl marks and light scratches in lacquer.
My Irmscher MV6 project (
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=13593) has benefitted greatly from the application of products found in the extensive catalogue of car care company, Autobrite Direct, and it’s the Staffordshire firm’s celebrated DA-21 dual action orbital polishing machine that has found its way into my arsenal of detailing gear. Powered by an 880W motor with six different speeds, the unit’s unique 21mm correctional throw removes swirls, scratches, defects and holograms faster and easier than most conventional dual action detailing devices. Better yet, as someone that had zero experience of using machine operated polishers prior to parting with my hard-earned, the DA-21 offered a safe, low risk solution that would forgive my lack of know-how.
I’m delighted to report that getting to grips with my new toy was a doddle, and I was quickly applying a multi-stage paint correction process to the Cavalier’s bodywork. Autobrite head honcho, Mark Moss, was on hand to offer advice regarding different grade waffle pads, cutting compounds and polishes (and the order in which to apply them!), and I embarked upon an intense three-day detailing session that saw the car’s cosmetic condition vastly improved thanks to a range of shampoos, fallout removers, degreasers, clay bars, ‘Restore’, ‘Enrich’ and ‘Final Finish’ heavy duty polishes, ‘The Abyss’ synthetic paint sealant, special blend ‘Car Care Enthusiasts’ carnauba wax and luxury detailing spray.
I’ve been documenting my progress in the form of a project thread on the recently re-launched Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club forum (
http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com) where I was taken aback by a private message from a fellow member who expressed more than a passing interest in relieving me of the car that I’d spent so long cleaning! He was offering strong money for a motor that he’d only ever seen in photographs, but we chatted extensively about the car’s history, its exceptional condition and – most importantly – whether or not I’d be prepared to part with it. I must admit, I hadn’t entertained the idea of selling my trusty Vauxhall up until that point, not least of all because I was getting ready to prepare it for the Retro Cars Euro Rally. That said, the prospective buyer stressed that he wanted to make the car the centrepiece of his already-impressive private collection of turbocharged vehicles from the 1990s, and he assured me that my Cavalier would be treated just as well as his minty fresh Renault 5 Turbo, his Ford Escort Series 2 RS Turbo and various other immaculate forced induction four-wheelers that he was in the process of acquiring.
It was at this point that I began to evaluate Turbo #1’s role in the Furr fleet; my Saab 95 Aero HOT estate performs admirably as a long-suffering (but stupendously reliable) workhorse, my MV6 project will (eventually) become my daily driver, I have another Cavalier Turbo (Turbo #2) that is to be the subject of a long-term restomod project, and my recently-acquired Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II handsomely fulfils the role of ‘Sunday Driver’. With another three cars set aside as donor vehicles (including Turbo #3) and my fiancée, Sharon, expressing an interest in obtaining a project car of her own, it became clear that Turbo #1 was in danger of becoming supplementary to requirements.
After a few more forum exchanges, I agreed to sell the car. A vehicle transportation company was charged with the task of shifting it from my Cambridgeshire residence to its new home in Northumberland, and I bid my great Griffin a fond farewell as its freshly polished paintwork disappeared into the distance.
Within an hour, posts on various Facebook groups were alerting me to the fact that the Cavalier was safely making its way Oop North; fellow Vauxhall enthusiasts were unwittingly tracking the car’s progress by registering sightings at various points along its journey. These unexpected announcements were quickly followed by a mass of messages that were keen to fill my inbox, each expressing concern for my mental wellbeing. “Are you mad?” was the question repeatedly fired in my direction. “Probably,” I replied.
Truth be told, the sale of Turbo #1 has released welcome funds that can be ploughed into my other automotive projects, and the car’s departure left a space on the driveway big enough for Sharon to coin a retro ride of her own. She’s opted for a classic (pre-GM) Saab 900 S 16-valve turbo convertible that has been tuned by Abbott Racing, and she’s very kindly agreed to lend it to me for the duration of the aforementioned Euro Rally. Preparation for the trip is well underway, with new wheels, tyres, brakes, suspension, polybushes, lights and ICE being bolted onto the Swedish stunner in advance of its mammoth voyage across the continent. I’ll be sure to report back with a road trip diary, and I’m also looking forward to introducing you to Turbo #2 at long last! Watch this space!
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THANKS
Autobrite Direct
Lowfield Drive
Centre 500
Wolstanton
Staffordshire
ST5 0UU
T: 01782 623819
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk
