1989 Opel Vectra GT

[vectra1903]

Hi.
I decided to make a post about my grandpas '89 Vectra GT.
My grandpa has owned the car for around 27 years. He bought it in Germany in 1992 with the front destroyed from an accident, but a family friend made it look (and work) like a car again.
The car is silver, and the engine (I think) is a C20NE.
It has been a very reliable car, maybe because my grandpa looked after it so much.
Every little spot of rust that appeared on the body was quickly taken care of in his garage.
In april 2019 it was involved in a minor accident. A car slammed on the brakes right in front of it and because it was raining that day the Vectra just couldn't brake in time... but we have parts and a man who is willing to bend it back to it's original shape
Unfortunately I don't have any good photos of it. The only photos I have is a shot from google street view and a photo of the destroyed front.
I really like the car, and the accident made me look up more information about it on the internet and I'm really impressed! This is truly a very nice car.

The issues except the front are:
-electric aerial doesn't work (stuck in half-retracted position),
-headliner is not stuck to the roof anymore,
-odometer decided to quit working at 187k km (I think it's around 200k km),
-the shifter and parking brake gaiters are in poor shape,
-the vinyl looking material on the door cards is also in poor shape

I can't think of anything more that's wrong.
The only repair I did myself is the radio buttons. The SC303's rubber plungers decided to crack which made the buttons unusable. I fixed that with some plungers from an old laptop keyboard.
Speaking of the radio, what kind of stock looking radio would be a good, obtainable and better sounding alternative? The current radio isn't bad in terms of the sound, but I'm curious if there is an upgrade.

I have a question about the speakers. Are the surrounds foam or rubber? The front speakers rattle a bit and I'd like to know why that is happening.

I can't think of anything more to say, hope you enjoyed the story I guess!
I will post updates when it's finished.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.





EDIT:
Found some more photos, enjoy

[Robsey]

The radios can be different from one country to another.
In the UK, higher specification radios are -
The Philips SC804 radio cassette.
There are two versions.
One that can be connected to a cd multi-changer.
And one that can not.

The only CD player available with some Cavaliers was the Philips CD300.

I think a lot of Vectras came with Blaupunkt units, such as the M104.
Again there are three or more versions of the M104.

Blaupunkt RD104 radios.
Kiel, Sevilla, Paris.... the list goes on.

As for the speakers... I believe Vectra-B and Vectra-C speakers can also be used in the Cavalier mk3 / Vectra-A.

[vectra1903]

The radios can be different from one country to another.
In the UK, higher specification radios are -
The Philips SC804 radio cassette.
There are two versions.
One that can be connected to a cd multi-changer.
And one that can not.

The only CD player available with some Cavaliers was the Philips CD300.

I think a lot of Vectras came with Blaupunkt units, such as the M104.
Again there are three or more versions of the M104.

As for the speakers... I believe Vectra-B and Vectra-C speakers can also be used in the Cavalier mk3 / Vectra-A.

OK, thanks!
I'll be looking for the SC804. I think a CD player is a bit too new for this car
As for the speakers, If the current ones are bad I think I'll rather buy some aftermarket good quality units instead of looking for B or C stock ones.

[Robsey]

The stock B and C speakers are very good units.
A big improvemnt on the Vectra-A speakers.

I have a set of Vectra-C speakers ready to fit to my car.

The pre-facelift Cavaliers had Philips radios as follows.

DN272 - Digital Mono radio with 2 Speakers.

DC670 - Stereo Radio and Cassette, Security coding with 6 speakers.

DC681 - Stereo Radio and Cassette, Security coding with 6 Speakers

The DC681 is said to be the best of the pre-facelift units.

[James McGrath]

I can vouch for the DC681 unit. It's got the best sound of the whole range in my opinion (although I've never used the DN272 or CD300 units). It also looks awesome and has a high quality feel about it unlike the DC670.
Only negative is that it doesn't have RDS.

SC303 is good every day unit, it's got lots of features but the sound quality doesn't have much punch. Although the SC804 looks almost identical and has only one or two extra functions, it sounds a good deal better.

Trouble is that they are all so rare now.
I've spent three years looking for a CD300 unit with no luck.
I got lucky on a SC 804 a few years ago but now it's showing its age. The volume knob has broken off and the screen has lost half its pixels.
You may be better off looking for a period correct after market radio. Something like a Blaupunkt RCM105 Paris would fit very nicely and be better than all the standard fit radios. It cam also be fitted with an Aux input to attach your phone to without the hassle and reduced sound quality of using a tape adapter.

[vectra1903]

You may be better off looking for a period correct after market radio. Something like a Blaupunkt RCM105 Paris would fit very nicely and be better than all the standard fit radios. It cam also be fitted with an Aux input to attach your phone to without the hassle and reduced sound quality of using a tape adapter.

Yeah, I was considering that option. A new aftermarket head unit is not an option for me, I just don't think a modern radio with the flashing party lights fits in a car like this.
You're saying that the RCM105 is a good option? Are there any more known good units that are worth looking for?

[Robsey]

There are various radios about, but the important thing is to look at an early nineties cassette or cd player with a simple display, and that illuminates in roughly the same colour.

There are plenty of Blaupunkt, Clarion, Philips and Grundig radios that would look okay.

So the important question, is what do you want from the radio.
1 - To look correct for the model year.?
2 - To have auxilliary-in (Aux-In)?
3 - To have a cassette player?
4 - To have a cd or add-on cd changer?
5 - To be an Opel specific model, or any make as long as it does not have the wrong car logo / name on it.?

There were only a few Opels that were fitted with radios without an external display.

These include: -
Ascona-C (Cavalier mk2),
Kadett-E (Astra / Belmont mk2),
Vectra-A (Cavalier mk3),
Frontera-A and Monteray / Isuzu Trooper, Corsa-A (Nova mk1)
Omega-A (Carlton-C).
Vans up to about 2012 such as:-
Vauxhall Movano, Vivaro / Nissan Nx / Renault Master

All still use the same radio connector (ISO) plug. So plug and play.

Note that the Renault / Nissan units will be the wrong colour illumination, so may need the bulbs / led's changing to "warm white" from yellow or orange.

[vectra1903]

There are various radios about, but the important thing is to look at an early nineties cassette or cd player with a simple display, and that illuminates in roughly the same colour.

There are plenty of Blaupunkt, Clarion, Philips and Grundig radios that would look okay.

So the important question, is what do you want from the radio.
1 - To look correct for the model year.?
2 - To have auxilliary-in (Aux-In)?
3 - To have a cassette player?
4 - To have a cd or add-on cd changer?
5 - To be an Opel specific model, or any make as long as it does not have the wrong car logo / name on it.?

I'm looking for something that is not too modern looking, it'd be nice for it to have an AUX in so I don't have to use one of these cassette to AUX adapters.

I don't think I'll be listening to tapes in the car, I'd rather have a CD player. Don't need a CD changer.

Can be Opel or aftermarket as long as it doesn't have the wrong car logo/name, just like you said.

The thing is, I don't really know much about head units from that time period, and I think you guys are somewhat experienced in this subject. That's why I'm asking for recommendations.

[Robsey]

This is about as near to specification that I can find.
Any Vivaro radio between 2001 and 2011 should work.

Just as an idea,

Simple layout.
Not very modern looking.
No flashy lights.
Plays single CDs
Has aux-in function.
Plays mp3 CDs

Renault Kangoo / Master, Vauxhall Vivaro, Nissan compatible unit.
No strange car company logo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Car- ... Sw7wZdlOos

[vectra1903]

This is about as near to specification that I can find.
Any Vivaro radio between 2001 and 2011 should work.

So if I want a Opel unit that's the one to look for? Does it sound better than the SC303?
If I choose aftermarket I should probably look at old Blaupunkt radios, right?

[Robsey]

It will have modern electronics, so should have better sound quality.
It also still has the same ISO plug on the back.
Radios for vehicles with model year 2011 and later have different connections.

Blaupunkt are the same as Philips and Grundig.
They make radios for Vauxhall, Opel, VW and many others.

When I think of aftermarket, I think of Alpine, JVC, Kenwood or Sony.
But these are often the units with lots of flashy lights and fancy display graphics.

If you want sound quality, then you are probably thinking of Alpine and JVC.

[vectra1903]

I have a couple of quick questions.
What do the original alloys for this car look like?
What should I use to redo the red stripe on the bumper? I have saved the front bumper pieces from the accident but the red stripe peeled off on one side.
Thanks.

[Robsey]

The red stripes are an odd plastic moulding.
You need to keep the plastic clips that hold them into the bumper.

None of these parts are available in the UK.

As for the alloys for a 1989 Vectra-A GT.
They remind me of the "slab" alloys used on the UK GSi model.

Although the Opel GT is the equivalent of the UK Vauxhall SRi.

Here are images randomly taken from Google.

[vectra1903]

The red stripes are an odd plastic moulding.
You need to keep the plastic clips that hold them into the bumper.

None of these parts are available in the UK.

As for the alloys for a 1989 Vectra-A GT.
They remind me of the "slab" alloys used on the UK GSi model.

Although the Opel GT is the equivalent of the UK Vauxhall SRi.

Here are images randomly taken from Google.

[ Image ]

[ Image ]

Thanks!
I will definitely take the second picture as an inspiration Except mine doesn't have the front foglights, I guess it's possible to put them in, but I'd rather have everything original, just like it rolled out of the factory.
I found a set of original alloys for around 80 GBP (converted from PLN) but the only picture of them that I have is this:

And also, my grandpa doesn't want to buy anything before the car is finished

[Robsey]

I do not know about Opel GT,
but
All facelift SRi Cavaliers had front fog lights.
They are easy to retro-fit.
The cut lines are printed inside the bumper skin.
And the mounting lugs are there for the self-tapping screws.

[vectra1903]

I do not know about Opel GT,
but
All facelift SRi Cavaliers had front fog lights.
They are easy to retro-fit.
The cut lines are printed inside the bumper skin.
And the mounting lugs are there for the self-tapping screws.

Well... it was bought with the front bashed in... maybe it had front foglights but it was fitted with a bumper without them? How do I tell? The car only has one foglight switch (button) if that matters.

[Robsey]

If it only had one fog light switch that lights up yellow, then you only have rear fog lights fitted.

If you had front fog lights, there would be a second switch next to the other switch that lights up green when switched on.



---------------------------------------------
There are three types of wiring on the Vectra-A / Cavalier where front fog lights have not been fitted.

1 - No wiring at all for front fogs.

2 - Wiring is fitted only as far as the big X 6 plug in the left foot-well kick-panel.

3 - Wiring is fitted all the way to the front bumper close to the radiator grille.
------------------------------------------------

I have a 1994 Cavalier LSi.
It was fitted with wiring down to the connector in the left foot-well.

I had to add the rest of the wiring into the engine bay.

Here is my new How 2 for Retro-Fitting Front Fogs.

viewtopic.php?f=70&t=16764&p=169742

[vectra1903]

Now it only needs headlamp bottom rubber seals, red GT stripes and front foglights. I also know the grille isn't supposed to be color matched.
And.... the bonnet is mounted a bit weird, higher on one corner, lower on the opposite one... is that possible to correct or is the bonnet itself bent?

[Robsey]

If the bonnet is higher at one front corner, then look for the rubber bump stops on the top corners of the slam panel.
The rubbers twist in / out to adjust the resting height of the bonnet.

If it is at the rear corners, then you need to adjust the hinge position on the bonnet.

[vectra1903]

Status update.

The Vectra is running great!

The odometer is working once again, we got new spark plug cables for it because the old ones were in very bad shape, and we got something that I'm happy, yet not so happy about - "new" seats!

I am happy because they are very comfortable, much better than the old seats.
I am not happy because they aren't GT seats. They do have a very similar design though, and the price - 2 for 10 pounds - was too hard to pass!

Grandpa is very happy about them though, and that makes me happy. He is also very happy to be able to drive the thing again.

We are not happy about the quality of the front end repair. It's not straight and the front gap between the bonnet and grille is pretty big, but I guess that is something that can be fixed with a bit of work, so we are not too mad about that.

One problem we have is the sunroof, it does open slightly, but when turning the lever to the other side to slide the sunroof in, the lever turns a bit and something blocks it. The front of the sunroof lifts a bit and that's it, no more.
What may be the cause of that?

[Robsey]

I would try turning the lever one direction, then the other and repeat many times to see if this makes the roof move more each time.

But do not go heavy handed in case you snap or bend something.

There should not be anything in the sunroof to stop it, unless it was taken out and then refitted badly. (A screw head stuck up perhaps).

Otherwise it could be dirt making the mechanism stick.

Good news on getting the car running again. Always a good feeling.

Gaps between panels can be adjusted if you know what you are doing.
The bonnet and wings are bolted on, and so can be moved a little.

The bonnet pin can also be adjusted to sit the bonnet higher or lower at the front.
And also rubber bump stops on the slam panel help to set the height of the bonnet at the front.

For the seats, you could buy nice looking seat covers.
And if you know someone who can cut foam and sew fabric, you could convert the seat covers to be more GT shaped.

[Robsey]

Can you post up pictures, so that we can see what you mean by "not straight" ?

If you can open the roof a little, you could slide back the inner cover, and then gently pull the glass roof panel back, whilst you turn the handle.

Do not be tempted to lever the panel open with anything more than your hands in case you break the glass roof, or bend / damage the frame.

I fitted anthracite SRi seats. (Vauxhall equivalent of GT) in summer 2017.
The colour scheme looks a lot nicer than the pale grey LSi seats that were fitted at the factory.
But
The SRi / GT seats are much firmer and not as comfortable as the LSi seats.

As an older driver (in my 50s), I think the softer seats will be comfier for your grandpa. And at that price... it is all good.

[vectra1903]

Can you post up pictures, so that we can see what you mean by "not straight" ?

If you can open the roof a little, you could slide back the inner cover, and then gently pull the glass roof panel back, whilst you turn the handle.

Do not be tempted to lever the panel open with anything more than your hands in case you break the glass roof, or bend / damage the frame.

I'll try to take some photos soon, I think the issue is the new bonnet slam panel is welded in higher on one side and because of that the headlamps and grille are not in a straight line.

I don't think the sunroof opens enough to put my fingers in there but I'll try. My mother says that she was never able to open the sunroof, it was broken since the day grandpa bought the car.

[Robsey]

Hmm - If you have never been able to open it, then I wonder if the roof is straight inside.?
Like you said, your grandpa bought it after it had been crashed.

Only way to know would be to remove the roof lining and see what is hidden up there.

Probably a job for a later day...

As for the slam panel - if you remove the lights, indicators, rubbers and grille..
You might be able to find a big enough tool to bend / lever the slam panel to the correct height.

[vectra1903]

Hmm - If you have never been able to open it, then I wonder if the roof is straight inside.?
Like you said, your grandpa bought it after it had been crashed.

Only way to know would be to remove the roof lining and see what is hidden up there.

Probably a job for a later day...

It's gonna need a windshield replacement sooner or later so when we decide to do that we'll take a look at the roof. I find it weird that the sunroof only lifts up a small bit, it doesn't even try to slide in.

As for the slam panel - if you remove the lights, indicators, rubbers and grille..
You might be able to find a big enough tool to bend / lever the slam panel to the correct height.

I'll probably get around to doing that when the car will be mine, so <2yrs