Corsa A .281983.E2.80.931993.29 Opel Corsa

the front-wheel drive opel corsa first launched in september 1982. built in zaragoza, spain, first corsas 3 door hatchback , 2 door saloon models, 4 door , 5 door versions arriving in 1984. in mainland europe, saloon versions known corsa tr until may 1985.

the basic trim level called corsa, followed corsa luxus, corsa berlina , sporty corsa sr. sr receives spoiler surrounds rear window, alloy wheels, checkered sport seats, , more powerful 70 ps (51 kw) engine. 6 years later, corsa received facelift, included new front fascia , other minor changes. models called ls, gl, gls , gt.

the corsa known in united kingdom market vauxhall nova (as considered corsa sounded coarser ), launched in april 1983, following 7 month long union dispute due british workers being angry car not being built there. whilst british built cars subject huge import tariffs in spain prior entry european community. replaced ageing chevette, finished production in january 1984. 500,000 versions of nova sold in britain on next ten years, february 2016, 1,757 still on road. in best year, 1989, britain s seventh best selling car more 70,000 sales.

power first came 1.0 l 45 hp, 1.2 l 55 hp, 1.3 l 70 hp , 1.4 l 75 hp petrol engines. (the first engines equipped carburetors; fuel injection came later, never 1.0.) engines based on proven family ii design, except 1.0 l , 1.2 l engines, based on ohv unit kadett c.

there isuzu built, 50 ps (37 kw) 1.5 l diesel engine available, used in isuzu gemini @ around same time. diesel joined line in may 1987, @ frankfurt motor show, along sporty gsi. engines , of mechanical componentry derived used in astra/kadett.

a rare sport model produced in 1985 homologate sub 1,300 cc class of group british rally championship. these sport models white , came unique vinyl decals, 13sb engine twin weber 40 dcoe carburettors, optional bespoke camshaft, replacement rear silencer, , few luxuries. gave 93 hp , top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) 0–60 mph time of 8.9 seconds. these far rarest models (500 produced) , acquire high market price if 1 become available.

a 1.6 l multi point fuel-injected engine 101 ps (74 kw) @ 5,600 rpm (98 ps or 72 kw in catalysed version) , capable of 186 km/h (116 mph) added corsa/nova @ 1987 frankfurt motor show, giving decent performance , being badged gsi ( nova gte in pre facelift models in united kingdom, later models called gsi).

the gsi s engine mapping had been carried out opel tuning specialists irmscher. model 82 ps (60 kw) 1.4 l multi point fuel injected engine, otherwise mechanically identical gsi, became available nova sri in united kingdom. in january 1988, turbocharged version of isuzu diesel engine introduced, power increased 67 ps (49 kw).

the design freshened in 1990 new bumpers, headlights, grille , interior, recognisable makeover of 1980s design, when had compete latest 2 new superminis in europe – peugeot 106 , renault clio.

vauxhall nova

the corsa rebadged vauxhall nova between 1983 , 1993 british market. replaced vauxhall chevette. nova models made in spain, first british customers taking delivery of cars in april 1983. gave vauxhall needed modern competitor in united kingdom supermini market, chevette older majority of competitors, chiefly ford fiesta , austin metro.

sales in united kingdom strong right end, time last nova made in beginning of 1993, looking dated in comparison more modern rivals peugeot 106 , ford fiesta. vauxhall dropped nova name in 1993 when version of opel corsa b débuted, , later models sold vauxhall corsa instead. second vauxhall adopt same model name opel version, first being senator.

a television advert in 1986 featured ritchie valens hit la bamba playing in background cgi allowed nova drive on vehicles in busy city. advert 1990 featured nova pet, cgi allowing jump through traffic jam , briefly play hotrod whilst stopped @ traffic lights. end featured homage wacky races, nova laughing muttley.

the nova becoming less , less common sight on british roads time. many of these cars have been modified, car acquired strong association chav culture. many novas have been targeted joyriders due car s minimal security specification.

a significant security problem nova, if 1 remove hazard light switch, turn upside down, , insert slot, find ignition come on no clear explanation. after simple push start, engine start — hot wiring vehicle. demonstrated jeremy clarkson in e01, s21 of top gear.

famous former owners of nova include colin mcrae , sean bean.