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Just started using the cavalier for the first time in about 20 years. Looks good but needs bits and bats.

Home safe bloody good weekend thank you one and all

So I finally had the chance to get my hands back on a Ascona C again, which I had as my first car at 19 - this time it wont really be used as a daily driver, as the winters up here in Scandinavia are loong and the main roads around the larger cities are salted almost every day when its minus Celsius (the season for classic "veteran" cars is typically very late April to early October), but this will be more intended for tinkering and summer joyrides. The car itself is a fairly standard 1984 1.6S GL (40 y.o this month hooray), 90bhp thereabouts, in the CC form - which spent the majority of its life up in the dry, cold mountains so the rust is minimal as far as Mid Norway goes - tho it probably got maneuvered across a mailbox or a badger sometime in its life so a new front panel and wing will be fitted in 2025 (oh and a new wing mirror will be installed as well - shoutout to Ebay). Got MOT'd with zero faults this summer so that was a pleasant surprise 😎 Further goals for next year includes refurbishing the carburettor as it seems to operate a little sluggish in cold weather - getting the cassette player back in shape would also be mint. Briefly about the owner: Father of two girls, IT consultant, big 80s aficionado, technical skill level: eager learner 😆

I agree. LX ownership has allowed me to create 500 new welding jobs in my area - so, great for the local economy.

So she's ready, flew through the mot and 8 hours of cleaning polishing and general pampering we are ready head off in the morning for billing.

HHK it is Indeed! It's great to be back in Mk2 Cav ownership after 25 years away, but I've noticed the spares have dried up a bit since I last owned one. £100 for a clear front indicator, £500 for a set of rear lights and middle board. I had a shed load of these parts years ago. Anyway the big strip down will start this weekend whilst we have the good weather, I hope to find a pound or 2 behind the seats to re-coop some money,

Yes. Was a fantastic weekend. Thank you to everyone the was there. Lovely seeing everyone and perfect BBQ.

Yes really good I enjoyed it

Looking ahead to this. I have the BBQ and gas sorted which is plenty big enough to cater for everyone so I will be bringing that with me. Tony is working on the stickers now with the aim to have both general mk2cav member window stickers and show attendance stickers available. We will have a proper shelter in case the rain returns or we just need a sun shade (fingers crossed). We'll have this in the next few weeks. Andy is finishing up a club rebrand including a new logo that will be incorporated into merch and banners. So we'll have hoodies, t-shirts etc available before the show. For the BBQ there will need to be a charge. Thinking £10 per adult and £5 per child? This should give us enough scope to put on a good spread (burgers, sausages, baked spuds, corn, some salad etc) Thoughts and input welcome folks. I don't think I've missed any of the major stuff we've been missing over the past few years.

I was the last one on stand in my Saab lol Hopefully Lefty will be here next year if you’re still allowing MK3’s on 🤞 Current state in last pics, always a work in progress lol

Cheers Chris - I’ll try and fathom out the posting pics-bit! 🤪

First of all, I want to express my unimaginable happiness for stumbling upon this forum. Cavalier mk2, or Opel Ascona, the brand I have are seriously underappreciated cars, and as such I'm having real difficulties finding resources to work. I look forward to using this forum, learning from it and sharing what I can. So, my name is Marko, I'm from Serbia, and I have a 1987 Opel Ascona sedan. The engine is the type that went into Corsa/Nova, the 1.3 S, available on Ascona only in some markets... underpowered slightly, but that's in the books for the future. Car itself is decently good, floor behind the rear wheels needs quite a bit of work and a few tiny patches in passenger footwell mostly. Engine is a long story, I will explain it more closely in some other thread, but long story short, it has been completely overhauled. Dashboard foam is cracked pretty much beyond repair save for replacing all the foam on it, seats have a bit of wear, and I am aiming to reupholster a big part of the car, to rejuvenate it and make it somewhat more modern - basically introduce some more modern materials while maintaining the original shape. Overall, I can write a lot about all the little quirks, all the little upgrades and repairs I'd like to make, but let's not go into it that much here, I will make a thread and post the pictures of it. Let's just say that, once again, I'm very glad I found an active group of Ascona/Cavallier drivers, and that I'll be honored for you guys to be a part of my restoration. Kind regards, Marko

I know you lot down Haverfordwest are a bit backward but tents are cheap enough and taking a cave to sleep in seems a bit old fashioned 😂

I’ve just booked my space at Barry island pleasure beach for the vboa rally just in case it changes again 😂

Great to see everyone.....another good showing from the nutty mk2 contingent. Thanks to all for the help throughout the week. Special thanks to Jas and Lou for the mugs, and Ivan and Clara for sorting the bar b q. I recognise the F--- OLD blue LX....I think it appeared on ebay for a reasonable sum. Looks tidy. I'll do a photo dump at some point. Final point, there was discussions of more trips.....I suggest that we keep the enthusiasm and get on it. We need some dates and budgets tabled and then maybe we (admin) can get some options.

Attending list Thursday Newbody (jason +lou) 4man tent cavalier Tony. Possible, 4 man tent. Cavalier Scruffy491 (Eliot) grace and daughter cavalier Friday Newbody (jason +lou) 4man tent cavalier Tony, 4 man. Cavalier Scruffy491 (Eliot) grace and daughter cavalier Saturday Newbody (jason +lou) 4man tent cavalier Tony, 4 man. Cavalier Scruffy491 (Eliot) grace and daughter cavalier Sunday Newbody (jason +lou) 4man tent cavalier Tony, 4 man. Cavalier Scruffy491 (Eliot) grace and daughter cavalier Depart Monday Newbody Scruffy491 (Eliot) grace and daughter cavalier

I expect to be there GeyDJ2, John, Mk3 Cav, Saturday only

Need to check......I believe I have the boys and its Fraser 18th......that said, I think he wants to do his birthday earlier in July so still might be ok @Paul what's you excuse for next year?

Hi All I recently bought a Mk2 cavalier - i have added a lot of info on facebook, so apologies for any duplication This is my fourth mk2 cav, but there has been around 25 years between them. She was bought on ebay, sight unseen in Bideford - only a 500 mile round trip! I took my good friend Martin down with me in my Vectra B estate all loaded with oil, coolant, tools, jump back, jack and a jerry can of petrol. We left my house in Essex at just gone 6am and got home at about 10pm. The little green cavvy was excellant, apart from the starter packing up at hook services, but a qick bump start and we were back on our way. She has been to the garage for pre MOT check and she needs a couple of bits of welding which i am getting priced up. The idea will be to take her back to as close as stock as possible so the splitter hand grill have been removed and the reflective number plate panel & steering will be off in the next couple of days. Then i will get the welding done and the starter motor. Next up will be springs, shocks and exhaust before we move on to the timing belt, brakes (discs and pads) and steel wheels. I assume getting any replacements for the green interior will be like hens teeth so not sure what i will do with the drivers seat as it has a metal bar showing at side. Changed the plugs, oil and coolant yesterday Plenty to do and she will never be perfect, but she will survive

In a word slow! Due to motivation ( lack of ) and a dodgy knee ( which is slowly getting better 👍 ) Fix the fuel leak then I can send her to have the steering rack changed, timing belt kit / water pump and lowering springs fitted. I did drop off the power cap, timing belt cover and rocker cover to be powder coated green yesterday 😎

Thank you everyone for welcoming me back. Ok, I'm fast approaching half a century old, so I had to go and buy myself my own present, I couldn't afford a Lotus Carlton, so I wanted another Cav. I'm pleased to say I'm officially a MK2 Cav owner again after about 20 years. My new car is in a poor state and I will have to empty my pockets and look under the cushions on the sofa to restore this one. However, the plus's are it's standard and hasn't been messed around with, not even speakers cut into the front doors. I sold my last one for about £550 and I brought this one for £6300 and it's in arguably worse state than the first. I will keep the site posted on the new addition, which is due to be delivered to me on Friday. Exciting times.😁

Also posted on facebook Well then, i finally got around to to replacing the exhaust, rear springs and shocks on the Green Cavvy. Considering i have never done anything like this before it was fairly easy. Plenty of surface rust to deal with so will have to get back to it over the winter. First start up in 4 or 5 weeks and a lot quieter with the proper back box, still raspy and will need to get the straight thru pipe reversed but that's for another day. Haynes manual seems lacking in detail for the front shocks and springs so might have to do a bit of research Green Cavvy new exhaust.mp4

Now to be known as Wrong week 😅

Cavalier past mot today will be up in my mk3

OK, booked. Will be there Friday night and leave Sunday evening. See you then!

Slow progress with juggling work, two other projects, a dodgy knee and trying to chill too! lol Popped round earlier in a huff after the £70 flex plate bolts I bought from America for my MK3 were the wrong thread stopping me from refitting the engine! 😣 Fitted new plugs / colour coded ( almost! 🤩 ) leads and 20 litres of fresh fuel to see if it would cure the backfiring, it’s better 👍 Tightened gear selector, I now have all gears it seems. Fitted the plug cover I got from GreyDJ too. Fuel pipe is leaking on the inlet so have to sort that another day. Oil flush / change next and maybe trial fit the turbo rims with the 15mm 4 to 5 stud adapters 👍

You can never have too many mk2s

Dare i mention Market Harb where it all went well, site was easy and laid out, ok it was just a field but thats all a car show needs

First off, Thanks to all that attended VBOA 2024. Was a fantastic show.

First of all. I would like to thank greyDJ ( JohnWaddell ) for everything that you have done for the club . And all the members too. Either club or personally. I am sure everyone will agree with me. You have done a great job and that we all appreciate it all. Thank you John. So yes. I am becoming the Club VBOA rep. I shall carry the torch that John has for as many years as I can. And will do what I can to continue the mission in keeping things going and improving... Forever evolving as times go on.

Everything is made from scratch, thought I'd replied to this 🤦🏻‍♂️ He's an extremely good fabricator, pipes, boxes, flexis, tail pipes both in stainless & polished are all stocked. He then asks you exactly what you want, pipe diameter, how many boxes, tailpipe angle, length & size. How noisy or quiet you want it then set about making a bespoke system to your own requirements. I wanted something that wasn't too loud, but deep & still allowed that 16sh 'gm rasp' that's exactly what I got.

LX...... the best!😆

Just trying my hand at uploading some pics.... Ok heres a pic of the cav a couple of years back last time i had it cleaned up decent... Hard to believe its painted 10 years at this stage....was only thinking the other day, this time exactly 10 years ago i was putting pressure on the bodywork man to have it done so i could have the shell back for the Christmas holidays so i get stuck in bigtime!! I actually did get a lot done with it over those holidays and had it finished and on the road the following march i think... Either way, it was a quick 10 years and ive a bit of work to do to having it looking as nice as it once was!! If this pic works out ok ill get a thread started in the projects section when i get a chance...

Hi guys I'm Garry from Ayr in Sunny Scotland, Andy King spotted my post on Facebook about my newly acquired Ascona GT ( so new it's still on the transporter from Spain lol ) and asked to pop it on here. Last pic was it getting collected yesterday 06/05/2022 and hopefully I'll collect it next Friday.

Hello, I have a gray 1984 Ascona C 1.8 SRE hatchback that I am gradually restoring. The mechanics, brakes, running gear and suspension have already been done, I still have the bodywork and the interior. PS, I live in France, Center region.

Site all packed up and empty by 2.15, apart from white van man, lady and dog and Vectra lads Don't think it has ever happened this early before. Weather stayed pretty good , so roll on next year.

Thread now live. This year is the 40th anniversary of our Cavalier's introduction. Yes, and it doesn't seem long since the 30th does it? We got over 30 then, how close to 40 can we get this year?

Welcome, looks a nice car. must say i like the countryside views.

Welcome to the club, that's a lovely car you have there.

Hi all , ongoing mid life crisis has seen me buy another car from my youth , new owner of a sri hatch,all the best

C292ALJ is the reg number I'm just having new number plates made atm

Newbody - you were not the only one caught out with this. As soon as we get something through we communicate it here. Unfortunately some seem to be taking the "post to social media first" approach - so genuinely this latest one has caught is on the hop too, or we'd have put it on the poll. 😓

Option 2 but without us taking tge financial risk and without the 6 month pre booking

It’s a brexit issue 😂

I thought LMF had done a good job last year, plus fly past was spot on. Seems a shame as LMF stepped in when Billing weren’t interested. What happens if Billing changes mind in 2 years time and kick VBOA out again?

@HiluxV8Did you see the final full size pics of your car "lit up" at night yet? If you are not on the FB group, they will be part of the video I'll be making for the site just shortly. Thank you to all who attended, I had a great time and it felt like the start of something again which was a marked improvement on last year.

No wonder the suspensions knackered

Apart from not turning up and taking any pictures yourself you mean Chris? Well it's this: That's everyone who hits FB first and doesn't post up here, and marker for where society is headed. In fact, studies have shown that too much Facebook leads us to believe "we're too busy" or that "life is too hard" to do other things. Crazy erosive to society! And it only takes a google to find... So many are addicted to FB and people would rather talk rubbish with people than they hardly know than post up posts of VALUE where actual conversations can be had, rather than just opinions and clickbait. FB will be here to stay, but has no way to organise content, in it's here today gone tomorrow - let's be nostalgic about cars I kind of like - rather than commit to support their survival kind of way. There were 30+ people on the FB group who said they were going to come to billing - NONE of them showed. 19 said they would come on the club calendar, and 25+ showed. The site is for the few that care at the moment, and the changes Ivan mentions are the tip of the iceberg if we are going to survive collectively everyone who cares enough to have an opinion will need to: * Actively engage in discussions (why when I can sit back and "like this" - basically stepping up) *Actively promote and take part in club stands in a more formal manner (this is chicken and egg, but for so long only the north and south west posse have represented!) *Work together to actively promote the club on FB. (When was the last time that someone who wasn't a core member told someone to join up?) *Crack on and update their garage / forum projects (Greg - yours will be back by end of Aug *Club members up the ante and do cool stuff because it's a good idea - Richie billing hoodies, Greg 35th stickers etc.. VBOA have been screwing billing for us - changing dates, reducing autojumble where the spares day should be part of it - regardless of what they are saying, there are ways around some of the problems they state. Regardless, we are going to request a smaller stand at Billing next year before ours is cut - proactively going for the corner of our existing stand. This will add value to "having the car on stand" and every member will have to have a spec sheet again if they want to attend, and we will have a billing membership to do more with the 1700+ facebook members. As I say, it's a malaise that's killing the whole internet not just car forums - just look at MIG etc. So the solution. Everyone reading this is the solution.. We've got a few other surprises in store for the FB lot, but forums need to adapt to counter too.

Love it love it love it!!!