UK's rarest cars: 1980 Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch, one of only five left
The Sports Hatch was both Vauxhall's rival to the Ford Capri Mk3 and a car with a subtly different image. If the Ford was ideal for pretending to be Lewis Collins in The Professionals, including the smirk in the rear-view mirror, the Cavalier belonged outside a provincial bistro. Today, despite the difficulty of establishing precise numbers, this 1980 example is one of only a handful remaining on the road.
Vauxhall launched the Cavalier, based on the German Opel Ascona B, in 1975 with the two-door Coupé as the original 'sporting' version. At that time Opel regarded cars with three doors as utility vehicles, while Vauxhall was keen on a fastback-bodied Cavalier from the outset. The British firm's designs impressed senior management at the parent company General Motors and the Sports Hatch debuted in September 1978.
The timing of the Sports Hatch's launch could not have been better planned, with Ford introducing the Capri Mk3 six months earlier. The Vauxhall's engine choices were 1.6- and 2.0-litre units, the latter capable of 112mph and 0-60 in 10.2sec. Opel simultaneously announced its new Manta Berlinetta Hatchback, which used body panels shipped from Luton to Germany.
The first of the Sports Hatch were available only in top-of-the-range GLS form. Owners could boast about the 'four-spoke sports steering wheel', 'wood veneer door inserts' and 'driver's map pocket'. Those of us of a certain age will recall that in the late Seventies expectations of automotive comfort could be limited. Vauxhall preferred the phrase 'luxury without a trace of ostentation'.
The Sports Hatch was mechanically identical to the Cavalier saloon, but Vauxhall promised 'swashbuckling performance' in a car 'not to cross swords with'. It advised its dealers that 'undoubtedly the Sports Hatch will add to Vauxhall's 'get up and go' image' and 'attract more and more younger buyers to the marque'. Taking delivery, one hoped, might make the proud owner feel like the Roger Moore of outer Southampton.
The 2000 GLS cost £4,384, compared with £4,192 for the Capri Mk3 2.0 S. When Car magazine evaluated the pair, its testers concluded that the Cavalier was 'just as much fun, slightly better mannered and agreeably more refined' – and could teach the Ford 'a thing or two in all the right places'. They added that the 2000 GLS 'fully justifies its 'Sports' title, unlike some others', and that 'the taut springing and transmission will delight the keen driver'.
Dealers could point out that, aside from the Capri, the Sports Hatch had no real rival with a British connection. Chrysler UK did not build a comparable three-door coupé, while the venerable MGB GT was a 2+2 at best. For buyers considering a foreign marque, the Volkswagen Scirocco GLS and Renault 17 TS cost £4,720 and £4,682 respectively – but both were front-wheel-drive, when many British drivers still preferred the supposed benefits of rear-wheel-drive.
The £5,999 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV and £5,710 Lancia Beta 2000 HPE were aimed at more affluent motorists. The Toyota Celica 2000ST Liftback offered strong value at £4,223, but its persona was less overtly sporting than the Vauxhall's. Ironically, the Sports Hatch's closest rival was sister company Opel's Manta Berlinetta – just £32 more than the 2000 GLS.
The Cavalier Mk2 replaced the Mk1 in September 1981, after 238,980 units – and there was to be no three-door version. The Sports Hatch may have been short-lived, but its appearance at the 1978 London Motor Show alongside the new Carlton and Royales emphasised Vauxhall's radical image change. The era of the quasi-American, tail-finned Crestas now seemed very remote.
And the Sports Hatch appeared to make the Capri Mk3 look faintly dated by comparison. If the Ford still seemed to belong to a realm of flared trousers and Mungo Jerry sideburns, the Vauxhall anticipated a brave new world of grey loafers and owning a home video recorder.
In 1980, Autocar referred to the Sports Hatch as 'just plain nice' – a quality many owners valued. Or, to quote one dealer, it was so handsome, 'they go out of the door as soon as they come in'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Top Gear
43 minutes ago
- Top Gear
Skoda students have turned this Superb Estate into a bike-carrying pickup truck
Plug-in hybrid Superb becomes a ute with a clever bike rack and a sliding rear door to support pro bike racers Skoda loves cycling. Of course, the Czech firm started out with Václav Laurin and Václav Klement making bicycles all the way back in 1895, and in slightly more recent times it has been a main partner of the Tour de France for over two decades. So it's perhaps no surprise this year's concept car produced by the students of the Skoda Academy in Mladá Boleslav is a cyclist's dream support vehicle. Christened the Skoda L&K 130, this is the first Skoda student concept to be based on the Superb Estate, and the kids have turned it into a rad pickup style thing with space for two bikes on the racks in the extendable bed, and another on the roof.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall
Read on to see if you have had one of these motors HIT THE ROAD Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEVERAL iconic family favourite vehicles from the last three decades have a new worth today. From the Ford to Vauxhall, these cars that were once common among British families in the 1970s, '80s and '90s still have value in 2025. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The Austin Allegro was a popular family motor in the 1970s and early '80s 9 British families also favoured a generation of the Ford Escort, like this blue Mk2 model 9 The Reliant Scimitar GTE came as a two door coupe classic motor car for the 70s Credit: Alamy Austin Allegro (1973-1982) Value today: £1,200 (Allegro 1.0 saloon) to £7,600 (Allegro Equipe, concours condition) The Allegro was one of the popular vehicle choices for car buyers with families, as well as being company vehicles for employers. In typical shades of Russet brown and Applejack green of the seventies, the Allegro brings a nostalgia. This is despite its known maladies as a vehicle in the contemporary world, and even back in the day. They have been justified to be a worthy classic car and collector item, due not only to the Austin brand, but also its unique Hydragas suspension and style. Editor of the UK Hagerty Price Guide, John Mayhead, has witnessed the steady rise in value of all Austin Allegro variants over the past decade whilst monitoring the value of classic cars in auction prices and policyholder quotes. He said: "Last year, only 7 per cent of all models in the Hagerty Price Guide rose in value." Ford Escort Mk2 - Mk4 (1974 - 1990) Value today: £600 (Mk 4 Escort L) to £93,600 (Escort Mk 2 RS1800, concours) From the late 1960s up to the 2000s, families in Britain were likely to have one of the five generations of Ford Escorts. Children could enjoy riding in the back of these vehicles, whether in the lower trimmed Mk2 or more spacious and utilitarian third and fourth generations. Classic car graveyard found in field where a 1960s classic with rare feature worth up to $150K has been left to rot The Mk3 and Mk4 had a transverse engine layout, with a hatchback style rather than saloon. Models ranged from three and five-door hatches, as well as cabrio or sport versions with the XR3, XR3i, and RS1600i variants. To this day, there's still a lot to admire about the Escort, particularly with the Fast Ford racing and performance versions. They are highly collectable with a thriving club scene, and base models can still be found for cheap at around £3,000. Reliant Scimitar (1975 - 1986) Value today: £3,300 to £9,000 (GTE SE5a) The Reliant Scimitar GTE was an attractive choice of vehicle for those wanting something more exciting than a saloon or estate, but also looking for practicality. It became a performance motor offering a four-seat layout to appear as a family car too. In addition to the layout, the GTE provides a glass hatchback and proper boot, fibreglass body more durable against rust and well-proven Ford mechanics. Cost around £2,300 in 1973, the GTE became a viable cheaper alternative to something like an Audi 100 or 3.0-litre Granada GXL. Since last year, the Scimitar GTE has seen a slight dip in value, but remained relatively stagnant since 2016. John adds that some have been restored to a very high standard: "Lots of very cheap restoration cases available, but not for the faint-hearted." Austin Montego (1984 - 1995) Value today: £800 (Montego 1.3 saloon) to £11,000 (MG Montego Turbo, concours) Montegos have been considered the "most ordinary" of vehicles, but were certainly among the most popular of its time. A solid family car by Austin that had built its reputation for decades, Specifically, as a blue saloon built in 1989, they could regularly be seen parked in driveways or out on roads. Whilst they where just about everywhere in the 1980s, they became almost extinct by the 1990s. The Montego has increased in value as a vehicle model in 2025, following a flat period. 9 2.3 million Citroen BXs were built during its 12-year history between 1982 and 1994 Credit: Getty 9 Renault Espace Mk1 was an MPV perfect for large families in the '90s Credit: Renault 9 The Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 has been a classic German car in Britain Credit: Alamy Citroen BX (1982 - 1994) Value today: £900 (S1 1.4 hatchback) to £10,100 (BX Sport, concours) This French saloon spanned the years of 1982 to 1994, with a styling that became a major success. The BX's lineup of XUD four-cylinders were among the best frugal diesels of the '80s. Whilst demand for the Citroen BX was not exceptionally high in the UK, the model reached great heights in France. A well-preserved 1992 BX 16S even sold for over €47,000 in 2021. Renault Espace Mk1 (1984 - 1991) Value today: £1,100 to £12,400 (Turbo D) Despite famously being a flop when first released for sale in 1984, the Espace soon became a European favourite as parents recognised its value. With several back seats, it was one of the easiest cars for loading kids in the back, who were able to thereby see through the vehicle's large glass windows. Families warmed up to this Renault's bold box shape, following 12 months of struggle for sales of this multi-purpose vehicle. John suggested: "Early versions of this groundbreaking vehicle are beginning to become very collectable. "Now rare in any configuration, they are not expensive cars and if you can find one, a fair runner could be under £2,000." Best used cars for family holidays £5,000 to £9,999 - Suzuki S-Cross (2013 to 2020) £10,000 to £14,999 - Toyota RAV4 (2012 to 2018) £15,000 to £19,999 - Kia XCeed (2019 to present) £20,000 to £24,999 - Hyundai Tucson (2021 to present) £25,000 to £29,999 - Citroen C5 Aircross (2018 to present) £30,000 to £34,999 - BMW X1 (2022 to present) £35,000 and upwards - Skoda Kodiaq (2024 to present) Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (1983 - 1992) Value today: £900 (Driver) to £23,800 (GTI 16v) The VW Golf GTI Mk2 was an exciting release for car-loving families, coming with five doors and more space for practical and better riding. It was a reliable car too with its Volkswagen reputation, better fuel economy and improved comfort. It was also capable of reaching more than 130mph. John said: "For a long time, Mk 2 Golf values lagged far behind their Mk 1 predecessors, especially in the iconic GTI configuration, but in the last couple of years, they have gained ground. "There's a lot of love for this model, and although prices are down a little from their 2023 high, the general trend has been growth for the past 12 years." Ford Mondeo Mk1 (1993 - 2000) Value today: £800 (first-generation 1.6) to £8,500 (ST220) After their release in 1993, Mondeos became a common sight on roads through the mid-90s. They served as private motors, company vehicles, police cars, trade workhorses, and even appeared in the British Touring Car Championship. "Excluding motorsport variants, the Mondeo is a very affordable classic with even performance versions being available for under £5,000," John said. They are likely to become increasingly collectable as first generation cars that are more of a rarity. Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) Value today: £900 (2.0 CDTi) to £16,100 (MG ZT, concours) The Rover 75 featured a retro design both internally and externally, providing class and comfort, more than image or rock-hard suspension. Popular particularly among the older enthusiasts, the 75 has not seen a major decline in customers since first releasing in 1999. It is a car that is greatly designed for the pothole-riddled roads of Britain, known for its toughness and rarity. The model has therefore not seen much of a change to its value, holding their price as many other classics are dropping. Vauxhall Zafira A (1999 - 2005) Value today: £550 (1.6 Base) to £7000 (1.8 Elegance, concours) Sales of this smaller MPV skyrocketed after being put on the market. As a seven-seater hatchback, it was a clever car with fine driving characteristics, and based on the Astra G platform. Today, they are rare to find in good condition. 9 Austin Montegos where almost everywhere in the '80s Credit: Getty 9 The Rover 75 model took a top award as Car of the Year for 1999 Credit: PA:Press Association
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall
SEVERAL iconic family favourite vehicles from the last three decades have a new worth today. From the Ford to Vauxhall, these cars that were once common among British families in the 1970s, '80s and '90s still have value in 2025. 9 9 9 Austin Allegro (1973-1982) Value today: £1,200 (Allegro 1.0 saloon) to £7,600 (Allegro Equipe, concours condition) The Allegro was one of the popular vehicle choices for car buyers with families, as well as being company vehicles for employers. In typical shades of Russet brown and Applejack green of the seventies, the Allegro brings a nostalgia. This is despite its known maladies as a vehicle in the contemporary world, and even back in the day. They have been justified to be a worthy classic car and collector item, due not only to the Austin brand, but also its unique Hydragas suspension and style. Editor of the UK Hagerty Price Guide, John Mayhead, has witnessed the steady rise in value of all Austin Allegro variants over the past decade whilst monitoring the value of classic cars in auction prices and policyholder quotes. He said: "Last year, only 7 per cent of all models in the Hagerty Price Guide rose in value." From the late 1960s up to the 2000s, families in Britain were likely to have one of the five generations of Ford Escorts. Children could enjoy riding in the back of these vehicles, whether in the lower trimmed Mk2 or more spacious and utilitarian third and fourth generations. Classic car graveyard found in field where a 1960s classic with rare feature worth up to $150K has been left to rot The Mk3 and Mk4 had a transverse engine layout, with a hatchback style rather than saloon. Models ranged from three and five-door hatches, as well as cabrio or sport versions with the XR3, XR3i, and RS1600i variants. To this day, there's still a lot to admire about the Escort, particularly with the Fast Ford racing and performance versions. They are highly collectable with a thriving club scene, and base models can still be found for cheap at around £3,000. Reliant Scimitar (1975 - 1986) Value today: £3,300 to £9,000 (GTE SE5a) The Reliant Scimitar GTE was an attractive choice of vehicle for those wanting something more exciting than a saloon or estate, but also looking for practicality. It became a performance motor offering a four-seat layout to appear as a family car too. In addition to the layout, the GTE provides a glass hatchback and proper boot, fibreglass body more durable against rust and well-proven Ford mechanics. Cost around £2,300 in 1973, the GTE became a viable cheaper alternative to something like an Audi 100 or 3.0-litre Granada GXL. Since last year, the Scimitar GTE has seen a slight dip in value, but remained relatively stagnant since 2016. John adds that some have been restored to a very high standard: "Lots of very cheap restoration cases available, but not for the faint-hearted." Austin Montego (1984 - 1995) Value today: £800 (Montego 1.3 saloon) to £11,000 (MG Montego Turbo, concours) Montegos have been considered the "most ordinary" of vehicles, but were certainly among the most popular of its time. A solid family car by Austin that had built its reputation for decades, Specifically, as a blue saloon built in 1989, they could regularly be seen parked in driveways or out on roads. Whilst they where just about everywhere in the 1980s, they became almost extinct by the 1990s. The Montego has increased in value as a vehicle model in 2025, following a flat period. 9 9 9 Citroen BX (1982 - 1994) Value today: £900 (S1 1.4 hatchback) to £10,100 (BX Sport, concours) This French saloon spanned the years of 1982 to 1994, with a styling that became a major success. The BX's lineup of XUD four-cylinders were among the best frugal diesels of the '80s. Whilst demand for the Citroen BX was not exceptionally high in the UK, the model reached great heights in France. A well-preserved 1992 BX 16S even sold for over €47,000 in 2021. Renault Espace Mk1 (1984 - 1991) Value today: £1,100 to £12,400 (Turbo D) Despite famously being a flop when first released for sale in 1984, the Espace soon became a European favourite as parents recognised its value. With several back seats, it was one of the easiest cars for loading kids in the back, who were able to thereby see through the vehicle's large glass windows. Families warmed up to this Renault's bold box shape, following 12 months of struggle for sales of this multi-purpose vehicle. John suggested: "Early versions of this groundbreaking vehicle are beginning to become very collectable. "Now rare in any configuration, they are not expensive cars and if you can find one, a fair runner could be under £2,000." Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (1983 - 1992) Value today: £900 (Driver) to £23,800 (GTI 16v) The VW Golf GTI Mk2 was an exciting release for car-loving families, coming with five doors and more space for practical and better riding. It was a reliable car too with its Volkswagen reputation, better fuel economy and improved comfort. It was also capable of reaching more than 130mph. John said: "For a long time, Mk 2 Golf values lagged far behind their Mk 1 predecessors, especially in the iconic GTI configuration, but in the last couple of years, they have gained ground. "There's a lot of love for this model, and although prices are down a little from their 2023 high, the general trend has been growth for the past 12 years." Ford Mondeo Mk1 (1993 - 2000) Value today: £800 (first-generation 1.6) to £8,500 (ST220) After their release in 1993, Mondeos became a common sight on roads through the mid-90s. They served as private motors, company vehicles, police cars, trade workhorses, and even appeared in the British Touring Car Championship. "Excluding motorsport variants, the Mondeo is a very affordable classic with even performance versions being available for under £5,000," John said. They are likely to become increasingly collectable as first generation cars that are more of a rarity. Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) Value today: £900 (2.0 CDTi) to £16,100 (MG ZT, concours) The Rover 75 featured a retro design both internally and externally, providing class and comfort, more than image or rock-hard suspension. Popular particularly among the older enthusiasts, the 75 has not seen a major decline in customers since first releasing in 1999. It is a car that is greatly designed for the pothole-riddled roads of Britain, known for its toughness and rarity. The model has therefore not seen much of a change to its value, holding their price as many other classics are dropping. Vauxhall Zafira A (1999 - 2005) Value today: £550 (1.6 Base) to £7000 (1.8 Elegance, concours) Sales of this smaller MPV skyrocketed after being put on the market. As a seven-seater hatchback, it was a clever car with fine driving characteristics, and based on the Astra G platform. Today, they are rare to find in good condition. 9 9
