NEW PROJECT 1992 expression

[PAULUS1850]

Hi guys thanks for the add to this forum , so i have been looking about for a 2nd car retro ride and after lots of searching i decided on a mk 3 cav , having owned 2 CDI ones back in 2003/2004 a g reg maroon hatch and a j reg saloon , i remembered how well they drove at the time , so i went to see a few and some were messed with and some had the rear arches missing, after a while i stumbled on this one , a 1.6 expression ( carb ) with full hand written service history and genuine 54k miles on the clock , apart from a bit off lacquer peel on the boot spoiler and tiny bit on the door its in great shape, wearing is dealer plates from new Cowie High Wycombe its stayed there all its life ,went on the train and drove it back 86 miles steady 70 all the way drives amazingly well, just needs one rear arch tidying up and a rocker cover gasket ,and the front grill attaching in a better way , i have ordered a new front plate( same correct font ) this one has had it really , my favourite part is the seats with matching door cards in mint condition as well , MOTed till sept and £147 fully comp i am super happy

[PAULUS1850]

[Cavalier342]

Very nice, welcome to the forum. It's amazing how many low mileage tidy example are being found still, the interior does look nice, certainly don't see that trim pattern often.

I assume you're just keeping her nice and original looking, that's definitely a rare model so well worth keeping it as it came out of the factory.

[PAULUS1850]

yes all original, i will be changing nothing at all just tidying up around the edges was surprised at wind down windows in the front as well but the sun roof is cool ,

[Robsey]

Welcome to the forum.
Looks like a very nice example.

I have a heavily mollested LSi, which is a very common model.
Sometimes I regret the changes that I made.
I am often conflicted between originality and being something different.

I am liking your plan to keep your's original. A bit of titivation on the lacquer peel and arches and it will be a stunner.

And a no-frills carb too.
What shear uncomplicated bliss.

[tim130879]

Hi PAULUS1850, I saw that as well when looking around for my recent purchase a couple of weeks ago. Looks like we've both found a good un to save!

Is that plate original? Surprised to see arm assisted windows on a 'K' reg? Pre-face lift special editions, Concept, Expression, were normally 'L''s but with just a few bits added on like; SRi style spoiler, special alloys, electric ariel, etc for example. Even 'L' trim was boasting electric front windows by 1992.

But you've come to the right site - the guys here have been enormously helpful and welcoming since I joined a couple of weeks ago.

Keep a work in progress thread so we can see it all happening - and ask absolutely anything; there's a wealth of information on here. I've been boring everyone to tears hahahah

[Robsey]

Amazingly, your car is recognised on my EPC database.

2H1 - 16SV Petrol Engine
2J1 - Cover, Floor, Inner, Standard
81I - Anthracite Interior.
AK3 - Head Restraint Front Cloth Open.
AK9 - Seatbelt Rear 3-Point Auto.
AM9 - Rear Seat Split Collapsible.
AQ6 - Front Seat, Adjustable Back.
AU3 - Door Lock Electric
CF4 - Sunroof Transparent Manual.
CU9 - For UK
CUV - Equipment Additional for UK
D44 - Cover, Mirror Housing Painted
DY1 - Stripe Styling Side Variant 2
GS8 - Axle Ratio 3.94
K73 - Alternator 70 Amp
LUT - Manufactured In Luton.
M79 - Manual Transmission 5 Speed
N40 - Power Steering
N45 - Steering Wheel 3 Spokes
NA7 - Emission ECE
PG8 - Wheel Road Aluminium, 8 Spokes 5 1/2Jx14
QIH - Tyres 17570R 14-84T
T39 - Lamps, Turn Auxilary.
T43 - Spoiler Rear
T6T - Trim Panel, Inner, Sport Variant 3
T72 - Left Hand Traffic.
TN5 - Battery 44 AH
TR6 - Headlamp Levelling Manual.
U73 - Rod Aerial.
UC1 - Speedometer Assembly MPH.
VG2 - Protection Wax Delete.
W1F - Radio SC201-D (C)
W1V - Belt Rear Seat Centre.
W3B - Engine from Bochum.
W5W - Lettering "Expression".
W6T - Trim Cloth, Sport, Variant 3
(Viva) Anthracite interior upto 1993 - 931
W8X - Additional Parts Radio Installation.
XN5 - Lamps Additional
XN8 - For GB
XQ2 - For Vauxhall
Z2A - Campaign 91/1

[cavalier1990]

Looks like a good one. As it happens I stripped a whole expression interior, same age as this, same mileage, all parts if you're ever looking for anything. I think I'm going to salvage the front seats for mine though.

[James McGrath]

What a lovely example you've found.
Low spec means low maintenance. You are far better off without the fancy gismos in the long run, they are just more things that can go wrong!
My V6 CDX costs me about 10 times as much to maintain than my 1.6i LS and is no more fun to drive really.

Welcome to the forum and happy motoring.

[Tobias_CDX]

Amazingly, your car is recognised on my EPC database.

W6T - Trim Cloth, Sport, Variant 3
(Stratford / Strat Uni 534)

Decoding is correct, but this trim is called "Viva".

[Robsey]

Thanks for that info...
For some reason EPC did not have a name for W6T upto 1993 for Anthracite interior - 81i.

I will update my EPC POC Listings.

W6T - Viva - 931.

This thread is also updated.

[PAULUS1850]

thanks evey one for the info and comments as far as i know the plate is original its on the first service info on 1200 miles so i am guessing it is ?

[Robsey]

You have nothing to worry about,
The plate is definitely correct.

One of the last pre-facelift Expressions, in a really nice colour.
You have bought an absolute gem.

[PAULUS1850]

well after buying it and doing nothing finally got round to doing a bit , cleaned , polished it, hoovered it, fixed the front grill and removed the gaffer tape hahah have done 560 miles in it in the last 2 weeks tho i tryed some bumper restorer on the bumpers and it actually looks like they are black , then grey then black again at the top , as the top and bottom came up very nice black but the in fill main bumper is a propa unpainted grey plastic colour , ill get a pic after work correct me if i am wrong ???

[Cavalier342]

That's right, the early spec unpainted bumpers have a three-tone look to them, top and bottoms black and more grey in the middle sections. Looks nice when buffed up with Back to Black spray.

[PAULUS1850]

[PAULUS1850]

[PAULUS1850]

[PAULUS1850]

Little up date after lots of elbow grease inside and out,re attaching the front grill as was held on by gaffer tape when bought and new front number plate in the nearest font in could get to the original looking so much better then when I purchased it ,been using as a daily driver since purchase ,loving it faultless so far ,next job just tidy up the drivers arch ,luckily not rotted away or holed so again just some time and care and can get it looking tidy again

[Robsey]

Looking awesome.
Loving the colour too.

[3cav3]

It's always amazing the difference a good polish and sorting out little jobs can make to a car. From the photos you could almost believe that we had been transported back to the 1990's. Like Robsey I love the colour, really suits the lines of a Cavalier.

[PAULUS1850]

Thanks guys yes back to the 90s ,also my transit smiley behind in the pic on a T plate ,I have got rid of my newer van and SORN my daily 06 plate car and using these 2 beautys now people think I have gone a little mad but I'm loving it

[3cav3]

As a general rule due to some bad experiences I tend to hate Ford's, having said that though I've always fancied buying an old trannie, but probably will never happen. I'm also leaning more towards buying exceptional older cars and running them rather than what I'm fast starting to loathe modern cars with all their electronics and dpfs etc.

[thomas]

That does look smashing, for various reasons I do like the pre-facelift models more than the later ones, I'm welling-up with good memories of a previous life, just looking at that. Personally I'd lose the Expression badge, thinking special editions a bit tacky somehow, but it's part of the car and its history now, so maybe best left alone, though without it would keep people guessing what spec. it was, especially with the coloured mirror-housings and smart alloys, it could pass for one of the top-end ones.

[ilovedmymantas]

Nice find!
Polished up really well