Description
The SR is now a very rare model of Mk2 Cavalier. Only made for the first year of production, there are 2 other SR saloons that I know of on the road. It has all the SRi spec, but the 1. 8i engine and 5 speed gearbox were not ready for the launch year so this car has the 1. 6 with the Varajet II carb and the 4 speed gearbox.
This particular car was registered in Co. Down NI and PIJ 9256 is its original plate. It would be a suffix 'Y' if it was registered in GB. Due to the DVLA and DVA NI merger a few years back, it did not need to be re-registered when I purchased it in January 2015 and brought it across the Irish Sea. While the colour looks modern, it was a standard Vauxhall metallic of the time, confusingly called "Opal Green".
I am the third owner, the first having had it for nearly 27 years. There is some paperwork, but not a huge amount. I have no reason to suspect the 92k is not genuine, however, and that equates to less than 3000 miles a year. I have personally covered 6000 miles, and have taken it to shows up and down the country. It has never let me down, and I would have no qualms jumping in it now and driving to Edinburgh.
Since I have owned the car, I have had a mechanic friend, well known in the VBOA, work on it. He has replaced many parts and serviced it regularly for me to make it as mechanically fit as possible. The main items are a new clutch, new suspension all round and fresh gearbox oil. In addition, I asked him to replace the auto-choke at the last service with a manual kit, which has made warm starting much easier (Hot and cold were fine). The original choke components will come with the car, however.
The last owner had changed a few things from original spec, like later spec taillights with the reflector board, and later headlights. It also had a front "snow shovel" splitter and rear skirts. I put the lights back to original, and have removed the front splitter - It will come with the car, however. The rear skirts were sold. I have also added a period Hella Spotlight Grille, which works and is great at night on country roads! An original grille will come with the car, but it has lost a tang and sits a little wonky.
The supremely rare and valuable front Recaros in beige "Highland Check" are from a slightly older 'X' reg SR hatchback, and they replaced the Manta Recaros that were in it when I purchased the car, which in turn had replaced the notoriously fragile originals. The "new" seats have had a bolster repair, but it is barely noticable.
Were I to keep it, my next step would be to address the tin-worm on the bottom of the doors and various spots around the car. I have got three replacement doors which are in good condition, albeit painted blue, and will come with the car - The driver's door is good, but I suspect that it may not be original for that reason. I also purchased two new old stock door skins and two pattern replacement rear arch panels. These will also be included. The rest of the car is structurally solid.
Other negatives... the dash is slightly cracked but much, much better than the vast majority out there, there are a few holes and scuffs in the rear parcel shelf, the clutch cable vibrates at certain RPMs, the centre console is later spec (the original does come with the car, but the first owner liked to drill holes in things!), and the aftermarket sunroof is a little scruffy (but does not leak).
I think I am pricing it fairly, given it's rarity and history, and that fact that it will be very difficult to part with! I am selling to fund the next classic for my garage and I will not enter into arguments over presumed value. The days of sub £1000 Mk2 Cavs in good nick are long gone, and this is something special. Preference will be given to buyers who know what it is and will keep it stock. This isn't one for the banger racers or C20LET modders.
For more photos see - details above
