Tech Spec: 1988-1992 Mk3 Cavalier 'Standard'

Ever wondered about the technical specification of your Mk3 Cavalier? Wonder no more!

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Tech Spec: 1988-1992 Mk3 Cavalier 'Standard'

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In the first of our series of Mk3 Cavalier model reviews, club historian (and self-confessed Griffin geek!), James McGrath, takes a look at the aptly named ‘Standard’.

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This is where it all begins.

It’s the 14th October 1988. The Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier has been launched. Advertised as “the car of the future”, this great new Griffin tempts prospective buyers with the promise of electronic wizardry and a mesmerising variety of onboard security, safety and entertainment devices (the likes of which owners of the outgoing Mk2 Cavalier can only dream of!). Even the entry-level ‘Standard’ will come with enough kit to keep the seasoned sales rep entertained between motorway service stations. Well, that’s what we were led to believe!

Let’s take a look at the evidence.

EXTERIOR

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In keeping with the popular L edition of the Mk3 Cavalier, buyers parting with their hard-earned in exchange for a Standard were treated to a sea of unpainted grey plastics (comprising mirror casings, bumpers and the car’s distinctive front grille). When it came to wheels, the 1980s ruled supreme, with ‘pepperpot’ 13-inch hubcaps clinging to steelies wrapped in 165/80/13 rubber.

Though laminated, the glass was completely free of tint. That includes the sunroof, which the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed is nonexistent. As is the under-bonnet lamp (the Standard is the only pre-facelift Mk3 Cavalier not to be equipped with this useful feature).

At least Vauxhall had the good sense to provide Standard owners with side protection mouldings, a heated rear screen, a locking fuel filler cap and a rear windscreen wash wiper (hatchbacks only). Not that there was anything resembling central locking or security deadlocks to keep any of this precious kit safe.

At this stage, we’re prepared to admit that things aren’t looking too good for ‘80s reps. Let’s see if things improve inside the car...

INTERIOR

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The Standard’s cockpit as just as barren as its exterior! There’s a two-spoke steering wheel, manually-operated windows and door mirrors, a rev counter that is notable by its absence, and cloth seats that look ‘itchy’. Perhaps it’s time to invest in that beaded seat cover that you’ve always promised yourself?!

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Still, you can always wind the windows down, kick back and listen to your favourite Aswad cassette, right? Wrong. The car’s lack of cassette storage unit is reflective of its in-car entertainment capabilities. Yes, we’re talking about the twin-speaker, mono-radio Philips DN272 sound system.

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Perhaps we’re being unfair. After all, the model’s name doesn’t promise anything more than a basic vehicle. And the Mk3’s charm does manage to shine through, even in this under-equipped cabin space; height adjustable seat belts, a lockable illuminated glove box, colour-coded carpets, reclining front seats, adjustable front head rests, twin sun visors, a courtesy light, an illuminated cigar lighter (or ‘12-volt power supply’ as the kids call ‘em these days), front and rear ashtrays (or ‘ashtrays’ as the kids call ‘em these days), a steering column lock and roof-mounted grab handles are all features of the mighty Standard. There’s even a Quartz clock that keeps track of how much time you’ve spent trying to tune the DN272 into coverage of the Radio 1 Roadshow. Nice.

Of course, these are all automotive features that we take for granted today, but in 1988 you’d be hard pressed to find a car in the same price bracket that included such delights on its most basic incarnation. Heck, the Standard even had 60/40 split folding rear seats with a ski flap and a folding armrest (hatchback only).

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TRIM OPTIONS

The Standard was sold with ‘Chester’ cloth upholstery. Original buyers could choose anthracite, grey or blue finishes.

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ELECTRICS AND MECHANICS

All Mk3 pre-facelift Cavaliers were sold with a five-speed gearbox, the Standard included. It was offered with a 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre carburettor-fed petrol engine, with a 1.6-litre fuel injected unit (the C16NZ) added to the line-up in spring 1991. Automatic transmission was not an available option.

COST OPTIONS

Our ‘80s reps need not fret! The Mk3 Cavalier Standard was available to buy complete with some exciting optional extras in 1988:

ABS
Tiltable steering column
Central locking (with deadlocks)
Electric aerial
Rear suspension levelling
Metallic or pearlescent paint

For 1992, you could also add an Ultrasonic security alarm system.

MODEL CHANGES

As was the way with all Mk3 Cavaliers, the Standard’s factory specification was tweaked during its four-year lifespan.

The 1991 model year saw the first real changes to the Standard's specification. The Phillips DC670 stereo radio (complete with six speakers and a cassette player) was installed. The handy cassette storage unit however, remained AWOL. The ubiquitous tilt/slide sunroof, was also made stnadard for this year.

1992 saw electric headlamp levelling introduced right across the range and power steering was also added to the Standard's spec list (except for the 1.4-litre). The radio was also once again replaced, this time by the Philips SC201.

FULL SPEC LIST: MK3 CAVALIER STANDARD

Engines
14NV 1389cc 8-valve SOHC Carb
16SV 1598cc 8-valve SOHC Carb
C16NZ 1598cc 8v SOHC single-point fuel injection (available after spring 1991)

Transmission
Front-wheel drive, five-speed wide-ratio gearbox.
Final drive ratios:
14NV: 4.29:1
16SV: 3.94:1
C16NZ: 4.18:1

Seats
Chester cloth trim
Cloth trimmed, open front head restraints
Once-piece folding rear seat with fold down centre armrest (saloon)
Split-folding rear seat with fold down centre armrest (hatchback)

Facia, instruments and controls
Trip odometer, instrument panel light dimmer, water temperature gauge
Lockable, illuminated glove box with non-slip mat
Illuminated quartz clock and cigar lighter

Heating and ventilation
Air blend heater with four-speed fan and illuminated controls
Side window demist vents and adjustable face level air vents

Audio equipment
Philips DN272 mono radio with twin speakers
Manual retractable aerial

Interior lighting
Interior courtesy light operated by front and rear door switches
Illuminated load area and glove box

Additional interior features
Fully reclining front seats
Height adjustable inertia reel front and rear seatbelts with one rear centre lap-belt
Two front and rear tilting assist handles with coat hooks
Steering column lock
Colour-coded facia
Moulded A, B and C pillars
Colour-coded door sill plate
One piece moulded headlining
Gear leaver gaiter
Cloth door trim panels
Carpeted rear parcel shelf (saloon)
Carpeted hinged load compartment cover (hatchback)
Fully carpeted load area
Carpeted rear seat back
Boot/load area sill protection
Provision for luggage retention straps in boot
Extensive sound insulation
Integral centre console with coin rack, front door pockets, front and rear ashtrays
Dipping rear view mirror, passenger vanity mirror, twin sun visors with drivers ticket pocket
Two-spoke steering wheel
Colour-coded fleece carpet

Exterior lighting
Halogen headlamps with dim-dip facility
Lights-on warning buzzer
Twin reverse lights, twin rear fog lamps, hazard warning lights, side repeat indicators

Exterior styling
Boot pushlock and handle
Dark grey body side protection mouldings
Light grey front and rear bumper valances
Silver front grille

Additional exterior features
Laminated windscreen
Heated rear window
Intermittent tailgate wash/wipe (hatchback)
Manually operated, internally adjustable door mirrors
Locking fuel filler cap
Intermittent and flick wiper control
Electric screen wash

Wheels and Tyres
5.5x13-inch steelies with flush hubcaps
165/80/13 tyres
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