Latest news with #Cavalier
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
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'.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
St Mirren secure signing of highly-rated Jamaica defender Richard King
King has signed a two-year deal at the SMiSA Stadium. St Mirren have announced the signing of highly-rated centre-back Richard King after beating a host of clubs to his signature. The Jamaican international joins the Paisley side on a two-year deal from Jamaican Premier League side Cavalier FC, with an option to extend for a further year. King captained Cavalier to the league title and also led his side against an Inter Miami line-up featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the Champions Cup. Having represented the Reggae Boyz on a major stage and acquired 30 caps thus far, King has been tracked by clubs across the UK and Europe. The 23-year-old is St Mirren's third signing of the 2025-26 campaign, following the permanent acquisitions of Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu from Crystal Palace and Shrewsbury Town, respectively. And manager Stephen Robinson is excited to have King on his side, admitting he had previously attempted to lure him to Renfrewshire. He said: 'Richard King is a player I tried to sign in January along with Martin [Foyle, head of recruitment]. We had tracked him for a long time and kept up with his progress. 'He has progressed really well under Steve McClaren [Jamaica head coach] and the Jamaican national team. He's quick, he's strong and he's a project for us as well as it's a step up in level. 'I had a really good conversation with Richard and the Cavalier owner and we were are aligned in our thinking in terms of giving Richard a good platform. We think Richard will add real competition to the boys we've already got and give us another option in that department.' King has yet to step foot in Scotland as he has been representing Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The first tie saw the Reggae Boyz lose 1-0 to Guatemala. Ahead of their opening match, McClaren congratulated King on his move to the Scottish Premiership. He said: 'Richard King is developing. Congratulations on his move to St Mirren in Scotland, which will help develop his game as well. That's going to benefit Jamaica in the future.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
King will 'add real competition' to St Mirren squad
New signing Richard King will be a "really good asset" for St Mirren, says manager Stephen Buddies have signed the 23-year-old defender on a two-year deal from Jamaican side says St Mirren have "tracked" the Jamaica international "for a long time and kept up with his progress"."He's quick, he's strong and he's a project for us as well as it's a step up in level," the Northern Irishman added."We believe he can be a really good asset for the football club when he returns from playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup."We think he will add real competition to the boys we've already got and give us another option in that department."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
St Mirren sign Jamaica international King
Jamaica defender Richard King has joined St Mirren on a two-year deal after leaving Cavalier in his Buddies have an option of a further year for the 23-year-old and say the deal is subject to a medical and visa Roland Idowu and Killian Phillips have formalised moves to St Mirren this summer following loan deals from Shrewsbury Town and Crystal Palace, respectively, and winger Greg Kiltie has returned to Paisley from Stephen Robinson says St Mirren have "tracked" King "for a long time and kept up with his progress"."He has progressed really well under Steve McLaren and the Jamaican national team," added the Northern Irishman."He's quick, he's strong and he's a project for us as well as it's a step up in level."
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Richard King to St Mirren transfer confirmed by McClaren
Jamaica manager Steve McClaren has confirmed Richard King's transfer move to St Mirren. The centre-back will sign a two-year deal in Paisley with the club holding an option for a further year. King, 23, will join the Paisley club from his homeland side Cavalier, after a nominal transfer fee was agreed. St Mirren landed the transfer coup after acting quickly to negotiate a fee and personal terms after they were alerted to King's availability this summer. The defender has chosen a move to St Mirren despite significant interest in his services elsewhere, with the Scottish Premiership viewed as the best place for his immediate future. Rangers had been told about King in the January window but did not make a move with Premier League clubs also made aware of his development. Cavalier co-owner Rudolph Speid was advised on a transfer deal to St Mirren for the defender by Tony Finnigan. It's hoped the transfer will raise the profile of the largely untapped Jamaican market, with King among the first of a crop of Cavalier prospects to make a move overseas. Read more: The defender is a fully-fledged international for Jamaica and previously played alongside former St Mirren full-back Elvis Bwomono at IBV in Iceland. King captained Cavalier to the league title in Jamaica and also led his side against an Inter Miami line-up featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the Champions Cup. Now, McClaren has confirmed the deal, with official confirmation from St Mirren not yet published, with a Visa hearing having been scheduled for the tail end of last week. King will be on international duty with Jamaica until the end of June as he represents his country in the Gold Cup. In a Jamaica press conference, McClaren said: "Richard King is developing. "Congratulations on his move to St Mirren in Scotland, which will help develop his game as well. "That's going to benefit Jamaica in the future."
