Sensible Secondhand Classics: 1991 Vauxhall Nova Saloon 1.0 Trip (Opel Corsa A TR)

[@dominicjackson2498]

Aah memories! My mum had several Novas whilst I was growing up - a 1.2L five door hatch, a 1.6 GTE and a 1.4 SRi. The Luxe and Luxe Plus you mentioned were late “run out” spec models effectively replacing the L but equally a bit of a joke as there wasn’t actually that much kit on board. But to come to one of your other points they did have power front windows as indeed did the GTE and SRi my mother used to have. Really great video - enjoyed it a lot!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the Nova was on sale for a really long time (over ten years), and so these are incredibly nostalgic for a large number of people. The famous Mr Coleman, aka "The Rubbish Mechanic", used to have a 1.2 Luxe a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. A similarly low mileage example too, from what I remember. The brakes were apparently just as bad, but they aren't as bad as a pre-facelift Mark II Polo, and I am sure that you do let used to them. The GTE and SRi are a bit different from this, I think! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching.

[@mattbaker3797]

I had a brand new 1991 Nova Trip as my first car. Mine was burgundy. I loved it. I was only 17. It actually only came with a radio. The radio cassette was an extra. The big problem with the little one litre engine was that it didn’t run well on the modern oils. It was originally in the old 70s Chevette and modern “in the 90s” engine oil glazed the cylinder bores so mine was recalled and was re bored. It gave at a few more hp but not much. I had mine for 3 years from 91 till 94. J378 BVO. You always remember your first.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

This OHV engine isn't actually the one from the Chevette, but it was used in the Opel Kadett C, which was very similar to it. I think that it was one of the last cars to use it, actually... Yes, definitely not got to use 5W30 in a 1.0 Nova. Can't believe that the radio cassette wasn't actually standard. They aren't the fastest, but then the brakes aren't great! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@mattbaker3797]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting ah I knew the guy in the dealers service centre told me the engine was from an old model. It was 32 years ago though so the old memory isn’t what it was. My father actually complained to Vauxhall about the car having to be re bored at only a few months old. He managed to get me a radio cassette fitted as compensation. My car was actually stolen from outside my sixth form while I was doing A Levels. I used to pay £130 a month for the car on the finance deal but at the time Vauxhall did free insurance even for 17 year olds for the first year which covered any driver so my girlfriend was allowed to drive it too.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, a lot of people get confused about the small four cylinder Vauxhall OHV and Opel OHV engines, which were launched within a year of each other (1962/3) in the Viva HA and Kadett A. The cars were fundamentally similar too. The Vauxhall engine died when the Chevette went out of production in 1984, but the Opel OHV unit continued until the early 1990s. As you say, very low insurance for the time, a stonking deal at time when car theft was rife, sadly.....

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent review Sir, a well kept Nova Saloon and so pleased you could get the secret mission documents in.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh sir, it is indeed in excellent condition, and we are always happy to see the secret mission documents fit in their rightful place....

[@camperlustig68]

Good Afternoon Sir, fantastic, many 90,s driving memories

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir! Glad you enjoyed the video, this is an incredible survivor.

[@richardhowlett9424]

Cracking review ! It came past me on my way to FoTU , and I can tell you it can shift ! Lovely bloke Ben .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It is rather nice, sir, he has had for absolutely ages too.

[@MattysCars]

I'm in awe

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

He has had it six years, sir.

[@alaricbragg7843]

What? There was a SALOON? Granted they never sold the Vauxhall Nova in New Zealand but this takes me by surprise! Thanks for this video! I have heard of the larger Vauxhall Belmont (In 1970s New Zealand the Belmont was a whopping variant of the HQ Holden but that's spinning off topic a bit...) however, and the rear styling is very similar!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, there was a saloon, and I just drove it! The Belmont is very rare over here these days as well.

[@zzhughesd]

Yes, YES, yes YES

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir!

[@focusrssteve]

Well sir, what a lovely car and in such great condition, thank you to the owner for allowing you to review, and to yourself for doing such a find job of reviewing!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir! I was really blessed to have been offered this, I must say.

[@usernotfound5562]

A own a 1.2 nova saloon and its a hard as a rock runs bad but doesn't give up

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I wish that this had been a 1.2, as it was quite slow... Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@mattw8332]

Very cool! The 2 door saloon was phased out for the post 1990 facelift (at least for the UK market). 1.0 Trip being the base model. I always thought that the post 1990s Nova looked best in 1.4 SR / SRi guise.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The information I have suggests that it lasted until near the end, just at a much reduced range, and this 1.0 was discontinued by 1992. I can't really understand who this particular variant was aimed at, but the owner loves it and probably won't even want to sell it.

[@seancooke7332]

My Next Door neighbours had a Royal Blue 1.4 SR in 1993 and it made my so envious. My brand new Cherry Red Peugeot 205 Junior 1.1i was far more comfortable and spacious but the colour, wheels, boot spoiler and the interior of the Nova were so much more cool. It sounded throaty too. Just to add insult to injury, the other side next door neighbour lady had just bought a brand new Light Blue Nova Spin 1.2i which looked very attractive with its decals and wheel trims. You know that this was just about the best time for motorists in the Supermini class. Excellent Nostalgia Sir. Thank you.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seancooke7332 , yes, not masses of room in there, but somehow people who owned them decided to cope. Huge amounts of competition in the supermini class at the time.

[@retrogaming_loft]

Magnificent car! Great colour and specification - the owner must be very happy. Would have loved to get a Nova but the prices are very much on the up in recent years. Ended up with an early Corsa B with the 1.2 8v that was found in some Novas - as close as I can get to owning a Nova! Enjoyed your video very much.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, there is no way that you can buy a Nova with an MOT for under £1,000 any more, hence why this car does not appear on No Budget Reviews. As you probably know, I also drove a 1995 Corsa B 1.2 E-Drive Merit a couple of months ago which did have that 1.2 Family I engine you mention... The owner has had the car six years now!

[@alaricbragg7843]

Did you play 'I am the One and Only' by Chesney Hawke? Yup we had that in New Zealand too... The vehicle's simplicity and usable space reminds me of the glory days of French cars!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am afraid, sir, that Chesney Hawke is banned from my cassette player...

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting The guitar arrangement was amazing...

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , glad you enjoyed it, sir!

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting They played it heaps on the radio when I was 8!

[@barryjackson8512]

Great review. I’m on restoring a 1.0 2 dr saloon. First thing going is the 1.0.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It wasn't actually as slow as I expected, probably because I had driven a 1.2 Corsa Merit with the same 45 bhp earlier in 2022, but it definitely wasn't quick. I think I would want some better brakes too, as they were a bit scary. Thank you for watching!

[@barryjackson8512]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting The 1.0 gets it around ok. They just have a habit of loosing ignition timing. As for brakes I always opt for Astra GTE brake set up.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@barryjackson8512 , Mark II Astra GTE brakes would be an awful lot better than whatever this Nova had, I can assure you!

[@blackhawk5279]

Oh gosh! I had a K reg vauxhall nova spin saloon as my first car which had a 1.2i engine. Lovely car I still miss it but I was foolish i scrapped it to the council for free!! arrgh!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh never mind, sir, you can always offer Ben a million pounds, and he just may decide to part from it!

[@colinhicks4174]

I have never been a fan of the Nova. The saloon though is the exception. The extra length of the boot makes the car look a lot better. And it reminds me on the 1960s HA(?) Viva.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the HA Viva was very much a bit like this Nova, just about thirty years earlier!

[@alaricbragg7843]

The car's shape and styling is almost a Micro Machine characature of the Carlton from the same period!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I suppose so, sir, although the Carlton is a bit smoother in design than the Nova.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Maybe it's a Carlton escape shuttle! Very old school French with its space usage and practicality, even if the boot access is a bit son of Talbot Sunbeam Lotus!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , lots of cars had quite poor boot access back in those days.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

When I saw the glasses, I thought for a minute that it was Aviator Joe. However, on closer inspection, it appears that that particular name is more synonymous with a significantly less trustworthy 'gentleman' living in a white house in America.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, we do try to avoid making political statements on this channel, but I can neither confirm or deny any official links with the "less trustworthy" gentleman living in a white house...

[@seancooke7332]

Interesting that it is an original Northern Ireland vehicle and not an NI registration plate to hide the cars reg date. Ballyarobert Vauxhall is in Banger Co. Down in the South East which is Blessed with the best climate as most of our weather comes from Atlantic in the North West where I live. I loved the dash in these latest Novas, it brought the behind the times Nova right bang up to date. As you say, the saloon Nova has charms and character aplenty.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the owner has kept the original plate, and that is great. This car is in ridiculous condition, and he has had it for years. The later dashboard is probably a bit better, but it doesn't quite have the appeal of the older one, which was very similar to the Mark I Astra and Mark II Cavalier.

[@ST-ur7oh]

Sean there was a dealer in Comber County Down that pumped out nova saloons by the bucket load.

[@seancooke7332]

@@ST-ur7oh I actually preferred the saloon because it looked different. Sort of like a baby BMW E30 or a Cortina that shrunk in the wash. The Volkswagen Derby was similar but the Nova looked better because it was well proportioned like the wee Mazda 1000 in the 1970s. That was a gorgeous wee car. The only similar thing that I remember was a wee Skoda Fabia saloon but that was butt ugly .

[@ST-ur7oh]

@@seancooke7332 so so true - well stay away from Spain or you could see a clio saloon or a 206 saloon. Although who recalls the renault 5 saloon (think it had a name) it wasn’t bad even tho we didn’t get it in UK/IRL. Agree with the baby bmw vibe with the nova although shame it lost the wing extensions from the 3/5 door.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@ST-ur7oh , saloons do seem to have been more popular in Northern Ireland than over here for some reason.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Can the cassette player play 'Faith' by George Michael? Milli Vanilli perhaps?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Neither, sir, we have to keep the copyright fairy happy....

[@RWL2012]

Does anyone know why Vauxhalls back then were fitted with the rear badges "backwards"? Nova Vauxhall.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Not sure, I am afraid, it wasn't just Vauxhall that did it this back in the day, as far as I remember.

[@nickyboy.]

4th

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Very good, sir!