Market Segment:
Compact/Supermini (often referred to as a 'city car' or 'economy car' of its time).
Target Audience:
Budget-conscious buyers, first-time car owners, small families, and those seeking an economical and practical mode of transportation.
Key Competitors Era:
Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf (early models), Fiat 128, Renault 5, Datsun Cherry.
Distinguishing Features:
Rear-wheel drive (uncommon for its class later in its life), hatchback versatility, affordability, and robust, simple engineering.
Global Variants:
Sold globally under various Opel and Vauxhall badging, and licensed by other manufacturers (e.g., Holden in Australia, Chevrolet in South America).
Manual Coverage Years:
1976-1993 (spanning multiple distinct manual sets)
Estimated Total Pages:
Varies significantly per individual manual; typical owner's manuals range from 100-250 pages. The collection likely comprises multiple volumes.
Manual Type:
Owner's Manuals
Format:
Likely printed physical manuals, given the collection nature. Digital (PDF) versions are not explicitly stated but common for such collections.
Engine And Powertrain:
Covers engine operation, fluid levels, basic troubleshooting, and minor adjustments for gasoline engines. Likely includes details on engine cooling, lubrication, and ignition systems.
Transmission:
Details on operating automatic and manual transmissions, including fluid checks and common operational advice.
Brakes:
Information on brake system operation, warning lights, and recommendations for professional servicing. Likely discusses brake fluid.
Electrical System:
Covers dashboard warning lights, fuse box layout and identification, basic bulb replacement, and battery care.
Chassis And Suspension:
General information on vehicle handling, steering, and suspension components. May include tire pressure recommendations.
Body And Interior:
Details on operating doors, windows, locks, seat adjustments, climate control (heating/ventilation), lighting, and safety features like seatbelts.
Routine Maintenance:
Covers checking and topping up fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire inflation checks, and general upkeep.
Safety Features Operation:
Explains the function and proper use of seatbelts, child restraint systems (where applicable), and other safety equipment.
Troubleshooting Basics:
Provides guidance on interpreting dashboard warning lights and addressing common minor issues, such as flat tires or battery failures.
Driving Recommendations:
Offers advice on efficient driving, cold weather operation, and general vehicle care to prolong its lifespan.
Depth:
Owner-level information focused on operation, basic maintenance, and user-level troubleshooting. Does not typically include in-depth repair procedures, diagnostic codes, or component-level diagnostics found in workshop or service manuals.
Digital Format Quality:
If digital, likely PDF. Quality depends on the original scan or digital creation, with good resolution preferred for clarity of diagrams and text.
Print Quality:
Depends on the original manual; typically good quality for its era, suitable for reading. Colors may be limited or grayscale.
Binding Type:
Original manuals were typically perfect bound or saddle-stitched paperbacks.
Paper Type:
Standard paper, typical for owner's manuals of the period.
Engine Type:
Inline 4-cylinder, overhead valve (OHV) or overhead camshaft (OHC) depending on year and market.
Displacement Common:
1.2 L (1200cc), 1.3 L (1297cc), 1.4 L (1389cc), 1.6 L (1598cc), 1.8 L (1798cc - often diesel in later years for specific markets).
Horsepower Range:
Approximately 50 bhp to 75 bhp for most petrol engines, with higher outputs for performance variants (e.g., Chevette HS/HSR).
Torque Range:
Varies by engine, typically 80-120 Nm.
Fuel Delivery:
Carburetor (e.g., Zenith Stromberg, Solex) for most variants. Later models or specific markets might have featured basic fuel injection.
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Petrol (later years), Leaded Petrol (earlier years).
Body Styles:
3-door Hatchback, 5-door Hatchback, 2-door Estate/Wagon, 4-door Saloon/Sedan, 2-door Coupé.
Length:
Approximately 3,800 mm to 4,100 mm depending on body style.
Width:
Approximately 1,600 mm.
Height:
Approximately 1,350 mm.
Curb Weight:
Approximately 850 kg - 1050 kg depending on variant and equipment.
Crash Test History:
Limited comprehensive crash test data available from independent bodies for the entire production run, especially compared to modern standards. Early models pre-date standardized testing protocols.
Active Safety:
Standard hydraulic braking system, typically front disc and rear drum brakes. Standard seatbelts. Limited availability of ABS in later or specialized models.
Passive Safety:
Steel body construction, padded dashboard (later models), inertia-reel seatbelts (later models). The inherent safety features were basic by today's standards.
Audio System:
Basic AM/FM radio, often with cassette player in later models. Speaker configuration typically minimal (e.g., two front).
Assistance Systems:
None by modern standards. Features like power steering were typically optional or unavailable.
Connectivity Features:
None. Basic electrical system for lights, ignition, and radio.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 5,000 - 7,500 miles (8,000 - 12,000 km) or 6-12 months, depending on operating conditions and oil type used.
Tune Up Interval:
Spark plugs, distributor points (if fitted), and filters (air, fuel) usually recommended every 12,000 - 18,000 miles (20,000 - 30,000 km).
Engine Oil Type:
API SF or SG service category, viscosity typically SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40. Refer to manual for precise grades.
Coolant Type:
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze mixed with water. Manual will specify ratio and type (e.g., silicate-free).
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4, depending on original specification.
Transmission Fluid Type:
Manual: GL-4 SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil. Automatic: DEXRON II or equivalent.
Common Wear Items:
Corrosion/rust (especially sills, wheel arches, floor pans), carburetor wear, ignition system components, exhaust system, suspension bushes, clutch wear.
Engine Reliability:
Generally robust but can suffer from oil leaks, carburetor issues, and ignition system faults if not properly maintained.
Vauxhall Opel Legacy:
Part of General Motors' European operations, building on a history of affordable and practical vehicles.
Platform Origin:
Based on General Motors' T-car platform, which also spawned models like the Opel Kadett C and Isuzu Gemini.
Lifespan:
Produced from 1975 to 1984 in Europe (Vauxhall/Opel). Longer production runs in other markets.
Manufacturing Locations:
United Kingdom (Vauxhall), West Germany (Opel), and various other GM plants worldwide.
Notable Variants:
Chevette HS (2300cc, four-wheel drive, rally homologation special), Chevette HSR (road-going version of rally car). These are rare and high-performance exceptions.
Industry Accolades:
The Vauxhall/Opel Chevette was not typically a recipient of major 'Car of the Year' awards, but it was a significant sales success and a practical, accessible vehicle for its era.
Fuel Economy Ratings:
Generally good fuel economy for its time, especially with the smaller engines, contributing to its popularity as an economy car.
