Vauxhall Astra - Optional Extra

This is a follow-up to my Big Car video about the Vauxhall Astra. It's a bit more opinion, and more information I found that you might find interesting.
If you haven't seen the main video, watch it first: • Just how British is th...
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#littlecar

[@benaka1845]

Daewoo Nexia (astra mk2) was sold in Uk as well

[@daraghmorrissey]

The format is perfect for me, the first version is always the most important but fascinating to see how cars evolve to design trends, improvements in engine technology etc. I really enjoyed both videos. Growing up in Ireland in the 70s, we had lots of vauxhalls on our street but Vauxhall was killed as a brand locally when Opel took over. Opel sponsored our national football team. I was always thought it was strange that Vauxhall lived on as a brand when so many other brands from the UK disappeared (Hillman, Humber, Austin, to name a few). Enjoyed seeing how you think about content.

[@danrkelly]

Agreed.

[@rob5944]

Makes sense to amalgamate brands, but only to a point. They'll want us to speak 'European' next.

[@seanm2511]

Yup, this channel is answering the questions literally nobody had, such as how British is Vauxhall.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

Another significant point: The ca. 1984 Astra continued to be built and sold in Uzbekistan as the Chevrolet Nexia II through 2016. A car that was designed to be just good enough for mid-80s Europe ended up being produced for 32 years, and outlived the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation Astras, as well.

[@jfv65]

On mainland Europe we also got the (Deawoo) Nexia. It was really aimed at the lower end of the market and competed against brands like Lada, Dacia, early Hyundai, etc

[@judethaddaeus9742]

@@jfv65 Yeah, the Uzbek Chevy Nexia is a development of the Daewoo Nexia.

[@danielrussell446]

Amazing to think Jude and my dad had a very early mk2 Astra back in the UK in 1985 when it came out first

[@kineticmusiclines]

@@judethaddaeus9742 aye, I think some Chinese company still making them under Chinese badge.

[@AlexTenThousand]

"It wasn't designed to be a car that lasted for 30 or 40 years" Which is why Oliver's story is so touching.

[@stejer211]

Oliver is a Kadett A while this video is about the Kadett C and beyond, which had much lower build quality.

[@runoflife87]

The Pontiac LeMans was also sold as Asüna and Passport in Canada BTW.

[@mjouwbuis]

And as the Daewoo Racer in Eastern Europe. The restyled version was the Daewoo Nexia, sold all over Europe.

[@elisorrells5314]

It’s nuts how far the arm of GM stretches

[@beatmeierbm]

fair play 👍🏼 to your research ... As a old Opel man I missed the Evolution the Kadett GT/E triggered First shy try in yellow and black with the 1,9 then with the 2,0 limited to 500 yellow white. It was so popular the did. another 1000 ..... a good few still drifting around on Weekends 😜

[@pihlknudsen]

Bonus videos are clever thinking and I really like the less choreographed style. It makes me feel like having a chilled back stage talk with the star after the main event. I am a fan. Keep up the good work. Oh…and talking about niche bonus material: How about a short video about Opel/vauxhall sports cars like the Manta and Calibra?

[@LittleCar]

Both are ones I'd like to do at some point. One day!

[@MarcusMIDI]

Opel way ahead of Apple. Making products that last for only a few years to then mean the consumer would have to or 'want' to buy the next one. Love your videos 😃💪👍

[@dttempleton]

I am such a fan. It just seems to me that you and I must have very similar interests, because I'll watch and like anything you make! I'm from the U.S., but I'm not a big fan of American cars. However - I love seeing the connection to the European cars and learning about their story. I think that's why I love this video (and the longer Vauxhall Astra video) so much. Please - whatever you do - don't stop making the Big Car/Little Car videos - I need 'em!

[@PhD63]

I like this format, feels very relaxed and informal. More please.

[@christopherconard2831]

I love finding out about all the cars we never got on this side of the pond. Sadly, the one they did give us was that Daewoo abomination they called a LeMans.

[@seanhershey3390]

& the Saturn Astra..Buick Verano

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I found the attempts made by Vauxhall to give the mk1 a unique look fascinating - although in many respects, I’m glad they dropped the droop snoot front - it suits a large car like the Carlton, but looks odd on the Kadette/Astra. The mk1, I thought was a real attempt by GM to make a Golf - I was surprised that the quality wasnt quite there. Finally, I remember the odd mk1 saloon - reminded me in many ways of cars like the Allegro or early Alfasud - cars that looked like they should have hatchbacks, but didn’t. Great videos - thanks again for making them!

[@niklaswejedal463]

As a Swede, I found it interesting with the Vauxhall-side of the Astra story, simply because we never got it here - Vauxhall is a bit exotic and lagely unknown for me, compared to Opel.

[@williamegler8771]

Sweden got the Vauxhall Astra. It was known as the Opel Astra. Vauxhall's are just market specific production variations of equivalent Opel models.

[@danielrussell446]

Amazingly Sweden did get Vauxhall cars from before World War Two until the 1967 (I think) change from right to left hand drive

[@mudskipper0075]

That’s the first time I’ve heard Vauxhall described as exotic….🤣🤣🤣

[@stejer211]

@@mudskipper0075 Vauxhalls were also known as exotic on the rest of the continent because they always broke down like Italian sports cars.

[@vwestlife]

North Americans were unfortunate enough to get the Daewoo-built version of it in the U.S. as the Pontiac LeMans and in Canada as the Asüna SE and GT and Passport Optima.

[@LittleCar]

Love your videos. Great to have you watching!

[@icekitty400]

In 28 years of driving I've only ever owned 3 cars, mk2 & mk4 Astra and a Cavalier in between. I've still got my mk4 Astra to date and have owned it for nearly 15 years. I feel the shape and look of is great especially with the rear spoiler on the back which although it's a 5 door makes it look sporty. Funnily enough between me, my dad and my brother we've owned Astra marks 2,3,4,5 and 7 including 3 Cavalier's, the Astra mk2 being my favorite as it was my first car 😊.

[@andyroid7339]

Thank you for producing this video. Your videos are well researched, focused and presented. Please just continue as you are - you put out a winning product!

[@LittleCar]

Glad you're enjoying them Andy!

[@2008cguzzi]

Dutch people enjoy your video’s very much !! Greetings from the Netherlands!

[@LittleCar]

Glad you like them!

[@ArgosFaroCoelho]

Your videos are a true works of art. I can just imagine they are made of huge efforts and time. Please continue to produce this great content! Thank you!

[@lloydypantz1]

Awww mate, I don't why anyone would criticism any of your work. I understand it can be a bit frustrating when you want to know as much as poss on your favourite model. But like you sed it stands to reason why they won't be as much info on newer models as old. And I agree it's the original idea, the concept, what it took to take off and not be bothered with again. It's how the first model took off, then how it slowly developed and supposed to improve over the last model to what is the latest are last car they did . We can all spend lots of time to research on the cars we cherish but it's alot easier watching someone professional that has taken there time and knows what they are talking about all put together in a simple short video. Keep up the good work

[@nadeemchaudhry6585]

Great video and the format is perfect IMO Thank you

[@NLBassist]

Thanks for this 'behind the scenes' look at how you work!

[@rx6180]

I’ve had four Vauxhalls over 40 years of driving. Viva 1300, Mk1 Astra 1200 saloon, Mk2 Cavalier 1600GL auto, and Astra J Sports Tourer SRi 1.6 auto. The Mk1 Astra said Adam Opel on the VIN plate, and it sounded a lot like the Vauxhall Viva when driven, because of the 1200cc OHV engine. It was four years old when I bought it in 1985, and I kept it for six months. I had some issues with it flat spotting on choke, and clutch drag, and it was one of the first cars I owned where I had trouble judging where the front finished when parking, because of the bonnet profile. However that’s commonplace now, hence the need for cameras and sensors to park. With hindsight, even in the 1980s, I wish I’d kept that car longer than I did. The Cavalier GL looked attractive (bought in 1987, traded a 1981 BMW 316 for that) but it wasn’t a happy experience. Too complex to describe the reasons, but it put me off FWD Vauxhalls derived from Opels. Fast forward to 2017, and I chose to move away from diesels after owning a Volvo C30 diesel for four and a half years, and having had a soft spot for the Vauxhall brand prior to getting my driving licence, and liking all the 60s and 70s designs like Victors and Crestas, I decided to give Vauxhall another chance and chose a 16,000 mile three year old Astra SRi Sports Tourer 1.6 auto at the local car supermarket. It was one of the worst choices I’ve ever made. It never let me down, though the coolant thermostat stuck open which was a £250 job at the franchise dealer. But despite thousands of these Astras being on the road and apparently loved by many owners, it was a car I grew to hate. Here’s my list of gripes. Hard uncomfortable seats that gave me pins and needles in my legs and feet - forward blind spots because of the thick screen pillars and raked windscreen - rattling dashboard - tail gate that filled up with rain water that poured out when it was opened - one door that filled up with about two litres of water due to stupidly designed rubber ‘vent’ plugs in the door bottoms - poor rearward visibility when reversing because of pillars, headrests and darkened rear ‘privacy’ glass - plus the ‘sports seats’ pinned me in place if I tried leaning out of the door to reverse - a six speed automatic gearbox that loved switching up and down between 4th and 5th at around 30mph town speeds - an engine that coupled with the transmission would spin the front wheels with ease when trying to exit a busy junction briskly, yet at between 60 and 70mph on motorways was gutless to pass lorries and slower vehicles, giving practically no response until the accelerator was pressed far enough to engage kickdown, whereupon it would drop from 6th to 4th causing the car to lurch, and the engine to create a tremendous din at the revs span round to about 4000rpm. Progress along busy motorways in this fashion was torturous. It was the worst modern car I’ve paid good money for and I swore I’d never touch another Vauxhall again. That will probably remain true, and while I’m not a Peugeot fan as such, I hope now the Vauxhalls and Opels are Peugeot based instead of GM based, they are better designed and of better quality than that heap I owned.

[@lvoldum]

The Astra J platform was used for the Daewoo Lacetti, sold in Europe from 2008 as the Chevrolet Cruze.

[@Noah_E]

GM has sold several variants of Daewoo (GM Korea) cars in North America and they have all been utter shitboxes, including the Buick Enclave. The Chevy Cruze was no different. Terrible fit and finish, poor engineering, and every component made from the cheapest materials available with no concern for long-term reliability or maintenance

[@cyprusgrump]

I love your videos but I enjoyed this format very much more! Thank you!

[@brawnbenson552]

No problems here, I love your channel and the content you share! Keep up the excellent work!

[@FirstDan2000]

Great format. I like the relaxed presentation style of this video.

[@diecast_MikeEspo]

Such great information. Very cool 😎. Watching some of your videos now. Done very well . 👍👍👍👍

[@noeldiecastchannel6810]

The history of cars that provide a lot of information and benefits, very interesting and cool impressions

[@kieranmccreedy271]

Don't forget the Daewoo Nexia (sold in the UK) which was basically an Astra with a facelift!

[@mibfox]

I used to have an Opel Kadet 2.0 GSI 16V 160HP. It was so fun. I remember one ride with 3ppl on board. Every1 shocked when looking at digital speedometer showing 238 km/h on highway. Man that engine revs up to 7400rpm. I wish I have it again today.

[@jamesengland7461]

Great as always!

[@frisco-2.0]

It is sadly true that most Kadetts/Astra didn't live longer then 10 years...but only the Kadett's body was the problem. Engines and transmissions are long lasting. A cars life definetly depends on care! My 1986 Opel Kadett E still drives like a dream and has no rust. 👍🏻😁👍🏻

[@mibfox]

I like your videos. Thank you very much.

[@TheGalacticEmperorOfLabels]

I like this extra video. You did spend noticeably longer on the first version but aside from the wealth of information that one is the most interesting anyway. Thanks for both videos.

[@LittleCar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christianronn5301]

I really enjoy these extras. The umms and errs you apologized for in a previous video just makes it feel more genuine. To get back to Onstar, I bet a lot of owners of later model GM Opels and Vauxhalls feel shafted now since the sale to PSA bricked the onstar service on what pretty much were brand new cars at the time. I’m guessing that the reason it took GM so long to get Onstar to Europe is data roaming, or the lack thereof.

[@LittleCar]

Did it brick them, or provide ongoing support? I think in many countries there's a certain level of support for vehicles for 10 years. Not sure if that extends to OnStar.

[@christianronn5301]

@@LittleCar As far as I know, GM told owners of 1-2 year old Onstar Astras and Insignias cars to go pound sand.

[@danielrussell446]

@@LittleCar no it bricked them as soon as GM announced sale of Opel I had a rolling on star subscription on my Astra K 1.4 energy which was 18 months old and it said when Opel and Vauxhall are sold on star will no longer be available and the on star system will no longer operate It was a shame it was a great idea

[@danielrussell446]

@@christianronn5301 that’s totally correct I was an on star subscriber at the time and I agree I felt totally let down as I bought the car with on star fitted and we had no compensation despite taking out a subscription. It was just that email and when I called on star to discuss we were told nothing more to say no compensation…..

[@oleo007]

Amazing video,delicious 14 minutes for a huge fan of astra !!!!!!!!!

[@AFExploration]

2 great videos, well enjoyed 😁

[@ryanhodges7101]

I just realized that you had this channel too. I have been watching Big Car for several months now and I immediately subscribed to this channel too. I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving. Take care.

[@LittleCar]

Thanks Ryan, and happy Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy my random videos on this channel!

[@ryanhodges7101]

I enjoy your videos very much. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thank you.

[@mikewhite4988]

Great video,

[@RogueBrit]

Well done top stuff

[@cz0985]

In this channel I'd rather to learn the stories of old cars than new ones.

[@bgeyssens]

Completely agree on the hybrid part. Kinda crazy how we never has a ‘traditional’ hybrid Astra to counter the Prius.

[@rubberplantsandwich]

great channel keep it up

[@evieruth01]

Always great 👍🏻

[@J4Z666]

Thanks for the video - Had a 16V Mk2 GTE own car and several Mk 3 company cars - Still miss the the Mk2 and alway fancied a Mk1 GTE - Would consider rebuilding one if I could find one.

[@marioskoutras6583]

The format is perfect! Always on point with exceptional analysis of each segment and clean voice. Also, somehow it was clear to me that you are in software engineering. Cheers!

[@LittleCar]

Well, I'm a geek with Lego sitting behind me. It's kind of required I wrote software!

[@KubikCv]

I enjoy your optional extras :) And of course your british english :)

[@KarlHamilton]

Really love these Optional Extra videos. The laid back tone is really refreshing. We are truly spoiled 😎

[@JamesDOConnor1916]

Hello from Ireland keep up the good work sir thank you

[@LittleCar]

Thanks Jamie!

[@maxant4285]

Great video. I want more of that. In fact, I'm subscribed to some channels that do only just that: "history of corvette"," history of chevette"...

[@petrolheadsuk]

Loving your videos, and am now sharing them to my KZbin channel and Facebook Petrol Heads group…👍🏻

[@LittleCar]

Thanks! Sorry, missed your message as YT flagged it as Spam for some reason. Loving your music BTW!

[@petrolheadsuk]

@@LittleCar Thanks, glad you like my music 🙏🏻

[@roverboi100]

your amazing a v big fan of Astra i own a 2015 model i love it x

[@ronmccullock1407]

In the early seventies Vauxhall were losing millions of pounds a year, GM were very worried, at the time Vauxhall had started work on a new medium size car due to be launched in 1977. GM had introduced the T car project which Vauxhall and Opel would work on together, Vauxhall designed the hatchback version and Opel did the other versions. It was the Chevette which saved Vauxhall. The new Vauxhall medium size car was dropped and Vauxhall had to work with Opel on the Manta B which became the Cavalier which Vauxhall were allowed to restyle the front to give it a family resemblance with the Chevette.

[@danielrussell446]

Totally agree ron and we’ve had 18 Vauxhall cars including 2 chevette hatchbacks

[@paulsnyman5869]

Thoroughly enjoyed the content. I loved the Mk2 and mk3 Kadette (so named in South Africa until it become Astra from Mk3 sedan only replacing the Monza name) and really wish they had stuck with the name instead of Astra. The South African market had the best models of each with the Mk2 receiving the Big Boss and Superboss with help from Cosworth and the Mk3 recieving the 161kw 6 speed TS for Kadett (hatchback) and Astra (Sedan)

[@Quinny.K]

Dis nou die comment wat ek gesoek het.

[@psychicglenn]

Mate I love your videos have watched them all

[@LittleCar]

That's more than I have! 😉

[@abandonedtube]

Early 2000's Astra Coupe was my era. I had a black 2l Turbo that a would have loved to wrap in the VXR touring car livery. Sadly the car died before I could live that dream.

[@garrylawless3550]

Your videos are always informative, even on cars I think I know well, you always have extra information. So there's no need to alter your videos for me, they are perfect as they are. 👍🏻 By the way, did you mention in one of your videos that you now live in the US?

[@LittleCar]

I do. The rainy Pacific Northwest.

[@garrylawless3550]

@@LittleCar thanks for replying, sounds a bit like the UK.👍🏻

[@SaraSpruce]

Came to think of it, the differences between Vauxhall and Opel's performance lineups in the mid-2000s went way further than just different letters. Vauxhall sold rebadged Holden muscle cars in the form of the Monaro and the VXR8 that were never sold as Opels, while we on the continent got the American-built Saturn Sky rebadged as the Opel GT, which in turn never had a Vauxhall version.

[@PowermanMS]

In Italy we also had the Daewoo Nexia, a heavily facelifted Kadett until the late 90's

[@Andy-ev8sf]

Mate I love love love your videos. You do an amazing job, keep up the good work. I get so excited when a new video pops up. My Father and my Brothers love your work too. Keep it up.

[@jamesforge8107]

Agree with every word. So you spend a lot of time on the first model of a car. To me that makes sense as a lot of it is about why that particular model was created in the first place. :-)

[@sevesellors2831]

Opel was perceived as better because it was German, but the Vauxhall brand was stronger in the UK especially with the fleet market who wanted a British brand. Over the years Even the fleet market has relaxed its buy British stance and interesting that Vauxhall have gone from rebadged Opels to Peugeots. Granted there are a few styling differences and trim differences. However the VW group are doing the same thing. We can look back and say that the old BMC group were way ahead of their time in badge engineering!

[@juny5531]

10:26 Nope, we also just say Daewoo(대우), I think you got bit confused by the Korean-English writing system which alters certain consonants into others. Thanks for your effort in attention to detail tho, your vids are always very informative and I really enjoy watching them :-)

[@erikandersen2477]

You're quite right on nostalgia👍 As I see it, part of the problem is that car companies are keeping the same name even though each iteration has little or nothing to do with the original or even previous versions. The VW Golf is a good example among many others 🙂

[@maus3454]

In the electric Seat MII (brother of VW Up!) there is no longer a multi-media or navigation system build in, as every consumer/driver has a mobile phone. So they just added a good cellphone holder on the dashboard. And released an App for it.

[@manofthehour6856]

That's a very interesting observation about how long it took Vauxhall / Opel to bring hybrid technology into the range. Hybrids seemed so "new-fangled" at the turn of the millenium, and I only saw the Toyota Prius (albeit rarely) in major American cities. I suspect one thing that disuaded GM from hybrids was 1) focusing its engineering efforts in that realm on the Chevrolet Volt and the Vauxhall / Opel Ampera, but also 2) the General was ailing and leadning to the bankruptcy and reorganization in 2009 / 2010. GM seemed to have lost its way around 1980 as well as the "leadership" of Roger Smith. The focus on its cars shifted to acquisitions (Hughes Aerospace and EDS), while reorganizing car lines (the short live Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada Group and the Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac Group) resulting in dull, lookalike cars in the 1980s when other car companies were turning out some very exciting product. It was just a corporate juggernaut that wasn't doing anything exceptional. A 1965 Cadillac was a fine car and would last if properly maintained; a 1985 Cadillac was disposable.....like the part of the video where it mentions how bridges and buildings are constructed just well enough to withstand various engineering challenges.....overbuilding has, unforunately become a thing of the past as people focus on the latest and "greatest". Anyways, always superb, as usual!!!!

[@lakidar1961]

Don't underestimate your German fans. British auto history is so exiting!

[@LittleCar]

Not always intentionally!

[@hfvhf987]

The Daewoo was also sold here in the UK as the Nexia in the 90s

[@jarletronerud]

In my mind your videos are brilliant. As you can see from my surename, I am not from the UK and have no feelings for Vauxhall. On the other hand I'm not German either. Keep up the good work! :)

[@LittleCar]

Glad you like them Jarle!

[@chaospxl_]

I Believe the mk3 Vauxhall Astra to be the most beautiful. it just.. gives off such a grounded yet stylish presence. (aka Opel Astra F)

[@SuperCrazyDiscoKangaroo9001]

The Lemans was actually the first Astra/Kadett to be sold in Australia when it was sold as the Daewoo 1.5l in 1994. GM's Holden Division due to the Button Car plan sold a car called the Astra in the 1980s but it was a rebadged Nissan Pulsar which was replaced by the Holden Nova which was a rebadged Toyota Corolla in 1989. Once the Nova was discontinued due to poor sales and the fact that it was outsold by the original Toyota it was a rebadge of, Holden then Introduced the Mark 3 Astra (Opel Astra F) into Australia in 1996.

[@TonyBlews]

My Chevette was my first car. Shame that it lost it's boot after being shunted by a Fiesta. I still drove it for a few months afterwards.

Great video mate. The Daewoo Nexia was a copy of the Astra , if im right in thinking Daewoo bought the plans because Opel changed the shape from Kadett to Astra so what should have been an updated Kadett but it never went ahead , anyway if you look into the Nexia you will see what i mean

[@icekitty400]

I think that was after the Mk3 Astra/Kadett came out that Daewoo started to sell the Nexia, as Vauxhall/Opel wouldn't of had much competition from the their ageing Mk2 copy cat model. They also did this with the Cavalier named Espero by Daewoo which back then Daewoo had a whole 1% in sales in the UK car market.

@@icekitty400 agreed

[@Rouxenator]

Loving my 2015 Astra J sedan and 2007 Astra H hatch. I have 0-200 videos on both on my channel.

[@ambergris5705]

If you want to know more about current models being developed by French brands and their associated partners on lignes-auto. It's a French website, but all the articles are translated, and they have insider perspective on Peugeot, Renault and Citroën, which means as well Opel, Dacia, DS, Alpine, etc.

[@JurisKankalis]

I don't really mind "rushing over later models" - in fact, I''m happy I'm getting this rich car history served on a platter absolutely free, and with the quality of research being done - sure, I could dislike the types of cars parked on the shelf or the colour of the shelves themselves but... really? Anyway. Seeing how (or maybe I'm imagining) Big Car and Little car stories become more seldom, I suppose there's less material to talk about - and one thing has been seeming interesting to me is the story of VW - not specific models, I think the big VW thing... jeez, Phaeton - was very well done - but the history of VW and VAG in general. When and why did they decide to buy up car companies and lift them to their best, at least in terms of sold units? Was it when they bought audi from Merc, when they bought Seat from... the Spanish government? or the Skoda from czech government? The weird thing is they've never sold a company, at least not that I know of - look at Ford buying and selling Jag and Rover and Volvo, look at BMW buying and selling Land Rover - but VAG - naah, they just keep buy and keep them. Also the Bugatti "sale" was more of an exchange into Rimac to get Porsche's hands on that sweet croatian ev tech.. Also it seems some companies are trying to copy them at least in terms of business model - look at Kia, Hyundai and now Genesis - three cars built on the same platform with different "snazziness" - just like a Skoda, Golf, Seat and smaller Audis and other products from VAG. So - I guess that would make an interesting episode. And yeah, that story when Piech went to Japan and was forbidden to meet the emperor but it later was found the sword WAS fake - that just needs retelling. Anyway. Greetings from Latvia and thanks for the work so far.

[@LittleCar]

Plenty more car histories to tell. They keep making new cars!

[@sporkfindus4777]

I thought your main video was excellent. Vauxhall does tend to get overlooked, especially with re-runs of The Professionals, The Sweeney and Minder still on our TV screens reminding us of Ford's prominence as it was.

[@danielrussell446]

It’s reputation was in tatters with the cars of the 50s and 60s (f type victor especially) some of which had awful corrosion issues even when nearly new

[@sporkfindus4777]

@@danielrussell446 Yeah which was a shame because I thought that Vauxhall came up with some really interesting designs

[@vauxpedia]

I'm not sure that I fully subscribe to your assertion that Vauxhall Design was inferior to Opel during the 1970s. Passenger car variations were designed at Vauxhall right up to the Cavalier MK2 & Nova, these activities stopped at the end of 1981 with the Vauxhall Cavalier Silver Aero Concept, however, the man in charge of Vauxhall Design - Wayne Cherry - would then transfer to Germany as head of Opel Design where he remained in place until the very early 1990s. Vauxhall Design Studios would continue under John Taylor focussing on Bedford vans & trucks until that too was closed in 1987. Just one other small point the gearbox for the Astra MK1 was designed by Isuzu not GM Brazil. Keep up the interesting work.

[@LittleCar]

Wayne of course was a great designer and went on to great things, but when Vauxhall design was closed it was a matter of time before styling went the same way, even if they produced fantastic designs (and they were doing good stuff). However, I'm just scratching the surface, when you've spent a lot more time researching Vauxhall. Thanks for such a wonderful website - it's fascinating!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I’d agree that Vauxhall’s design studio was one of the best in Europe under Wayne Cherry’s leadership - and it produced my favourite 70s car, the VX2300GLS, but it was clear by the end of the 70s that Vauxhall just didn’t have the finances to develop cars under its own steam anymore - which was a shame. However, the mk2 Cavalier especially, showed why Opel designed cars were the right way to go, if Vauxhall was to stand a chance against the might of Ford.

[@lordmuntague]

@@LittleCar I'd have to say that Wayne Cherry was one of the most outstanding car stylists ever. May I please be the 97th person to suggest he's worth a video in his own right? Also, thank you for a balanced view of Vauxhall, its a brand with some fierce detractors who seem to instead furiously favour marques that were truthfully not much better or worse.

[@danielrussell446]

@@simonhodgetts6530 oh yes a 2300GLS in extra dark wine what a beast

[@danielrussell446]

Spot on

[@qalba3016]

I think 70’s and 80’s to 90’s design cars were the ultimate, especially German cars , for some reason I can tell the German from any other, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW , Audi even VW , today cars from different manufacturers appear to have very very similar designs , from far away at 1 point I used to see the Toyota from back confuse with Mercedes when driving on Highways

[@jamieshields9521]

Interesting extra vid👍My mum has 2008 Holden Astra which I do like design but engines are not efficient as competitors, although more refined then rest of GM engines. Hybrid model would made more successful n GM selling off to French because they think we into SUV n not small cars, GM will be kicking themselves as fuel prices are starting to rise high.

[@elisorrells5314]

Idk how wise the decision to sell Vauxhall Opel was, a lot of global GM cars are based off of Opel designs, and it’s a big market they have to start over in

[@alaindumas1824]

They are not starting over. GM left Russia, Europe and the right hand drive countries. Nowadays they concentrate on the US and China.

[@danielrussell446]

Until now Eli it’s cost PSA loads on royalties for every GM platform GM have done ok out of the deal and that’s why PSA have replaced all the cars so quickly and re platformed to Peugeot based engineering

[@mrjsv4935]

Wasn't somewhere also a Daewoo Nexia named car, perhaps just the sedan version? My dad bought new Opel Kadett E 1,6 sedan in 1988 and kept it for 7 years / 157.000 km, if I recall correctly. During that time it died on the road twice, because of timing belt. There was probably some kind of design flaw at least in that 1,6 SV engine, which made the timing belt wear prematurely. Luckily the engine is designed so, that the valves and pistons won't meet each other when the timing belt fails :) There was also some minor electrical problems, head light switch had to be replaced, because lights randomly turned off and brake pedal switch had to be replaced as well, both pretty much right after the warranty expired :D Rust started to push through at the end of our ownership. The original windshield cracked seemingly without reason, but still wasn't accepted for warranty replacement. New, non-OEM windshield lasted the rest of it's time though. Good sides were pretty low fuel consumption (it was carb engine with 4-speed manual transmission), engine gave pretty good power (82hp), spacious interior and trunk, good looking car and nice to drive. Got my driver's license in late 1992, so got to drive few times that Kadett and it was pretty comfortable to drive compared to my own 1982 Mazda 323 at the time, which had quite a stiff suspension :D

[@MirkoC407]

The Nexia was the successor to the LeMans. A facelift and a new name. And it was sold officially in Europe while the Daewoo LeMans made it here only in low numbers as a grey import. Or often they were even Pontiac LeMans sold by American soldiers stationed in Europe,

[@johanb.4636]

In the 70-ties: Opel Kadett engines were bullet-proof, the Vauxhall were less reliable with f.i. head gasket problems.

[@antonmalan4686]

Do you have any information about the Vauxhall van versions. I living in South Africa a own a imported Bedford Astramax 560 LD. I have to import some of the parts if I want to do repairs on the vehicle which is very risky because I don't know if they are sending the right part

[@johnkeen2345]

I remember working on these in the 80s. So, easy to change a clutch then they changed the design in the 90s. They removed the lower plate so you had to remove the gearbox. Doh?

[@d-d-i]

The reason why Opel has always been slow to move into the hybrid market is because they're essentially conservative, honestly engineered and *well build car brand. They usually always have used already proven solutions and ideas that other manufacturers have pioneered before apart from some own innovative things here and there. Biggest leap they've done so far was moving into the FWD-cars with the 1979 Kadett D, completely new kind of approach with their car designs. Good example of the opposite was with then current Rekord: it was produced from the 60's and that same chassis was evolved and used up till Omega in 2004 (couple more years in Holden Commodore thou). (*Note, well build and reliable are two different things, Opels have always been well put together, but they've had some reliability issues with some designs or components in some models)

[@IvanBoskovic808]

There are still a lot of old Opel models from late '70s and '80s here in Eastern Europe.

[@JohnGrahambeehive]

Another excellent video, however something different about the sound?

[@LittleCar]

Some parts were recorded about a week after the first bits.

[@Alexandros.Apeirwtan]

I would be obliged to you if you could do a search for the Hyundai accent 1995 ,which i still own today.

[@beardedbodger]

Don’t beat yourself up! The vids are awesome… but one part of the Astra story that was missed was the Daewoo producing the mk2 Astra!??

[@eshanjadhav265]

Is the next video about the Jeep Caterham London bus Vw bus ??

[@LittleCar]

Nope. But I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[@nlpnt]

It's unfortunate for Vauxhall in Britain that GM didn't opt to sell the Kadett D in the US as a second-generation Chevy Chevette along with a Pontiac version that could've shared and helped amortize a droop-snoot front.

[@NiPPonD3nZ0]

I have been driving an 1999 Opel Astra G 1.4i 16V "sport" 3 door hatchback for the last 7 years, my wife's car! It was her first car and she loves it (more than me I believe, I cannot say a bad word that she freaks out with me..) ... It's been very reliable, nothing major failed in it's 290k KM, and never been towed for mechanical failures, but for a car that have a Lotus "Tuned" suspension, it's kinda bad at handling and road feeling is VERY DULL... Compared to my 1999 Citroën Xsara Break 1.4i, it's a world apart... The Xsara, even it being an estate, drives SO MUCH BETTER... The Astra has been taken very good mechanical care, oil changes every year (for the last 3 years it only does about 5 or 6K KM a year, even then it is serviced every year without fail... It still takes GM branded oil, 10W40 and doesn't touch it... The parts list that failed on it is short: An EGR valve, A/C compressor magnetic clutch, brushes on the starter motor... that's it... not bad...

[@stressrelief3039]

When going to do truck video? Bedford trucks leyland Atkinson

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

Maybe try to get a hold of former Opel and Holden head honcho Peter Hanenberger and have a yarn with him, he was heavily involved with design engineering over at Opel and later Holden

[@LittleCar]

I'm not sure how I'd be able to get in touch with him.

[@RIlianP]

I always liked the long look on the older versions, I love the historical look and the evolution of a model or a brand more. Newer models are fine but the more to the present day we come the more the cars get homogenized as the experience from the previous years made car manufacturing into an finely polished algorithm which despite cutting costs of production and development, made the cars kind of soulless.

[@Noah_E]

Safety and emission regulations also play a huge role in cars losing their individually. They are required to have the same belt line, bumper, mirror and light heights. Hood shapes are regulated for pedestrian safety. Cars need to have similar roof structures/shapes to pass roof strength tests. The same is true of front, side, and offset crash structures. Aerodynamics makes the rest similar considering all the hard set points.

[@Henry_Jones]

Just good enough describes all gm products from the 80s 90s and 2000s. Here in the us their idea of just good enough was never enough.

[@pokest225]

Daewoo sold in Europe the Kadett mk2 renamed to Nexia. And another model based on the same platform named Aranos.

[@caesar170988]

The Aranos/Espero was based on the Vectra A / Cavalier platform . The Kadett E was sold as the Daewoo Racer / Pontiac LeMans, the Cielo/Nexia was a facelift of the Racer .

[@MirkoC407]

@@caesar170988 I think the Espero was Ascona C. The Vectra A was still in build back then by Opel,

[@semiretired86]

wasn't the Viva also just a rebadged Kadett or Rekord? the Opel Corsa/Vauxhall Nova story? the 2nd gen Astra (Kadett E) was also launched as the Deawoo Nexia in 97 of some strange reason

[@danielrussell446]

The Fe Victor was the first Vauxhall to have underpinnings shared with Opel and under the Vauxhall designed body by Wayne cherry was a Opel rekord but with Vauxhall slant four engines The viva HA was inspired by the kadett but I believe was Vauxhalls own design up to the later HC

[@semiretired86]

@@danielrussell446as far as I remember the first Viva was launched before the first (post war) Kadett

[@writenamehere0000]

im not British but watching. interesting to know about British situation and history of cars. Also, why you still drive on the opposite side of the road lol lol? But seriously, what was the point of doing that to be opposite hand drive back in the day, how it all started? If you can make a video about that please? I know that Swedish changed in the 1970ies to left hand drive.

[@LittleCar]

It started as an etiquette about passing other horses / carts on the left or the right, and there's various stories about how this came to be in each country. Once you've established a "pass on the left or right" rule, like they did on the London bridge in the 14th century or so, it becomes the norm across a political area, and then sticks. They weren't thinking of standardising the side of the road across the globe to help with global car production in the 14th century.