In the UK, the Corsa has developed a cult following amongst enthusiasts because of the simplicity of modification. Popular modifications include C20XE (150bhp) and C20LET (204bhp) engine conversions, which create reasonably quick cars, quite cheaply, which are ideal for hill climbs and track days. There are several clubs which provide users with good sources of information on maintaining and modifying.
The Vauxhall Nova was produced by General Motors between 1983 and 1993. It replaced the Vauxhall Chevette and Opel Kadett City. All Nova and Vauxhall Corsa models were made in Spain.
Chevrolet also produced a series of cars under the Nova branding in the United States and Canada during the 1970′s and 1980′s. It’s later models were designed by NUMMI and were similar in design to the Toyota Corolla.
Sales in the UK were strong right up to the end, but by the time the last Nova was made in early 1993, it was looking very dated in comparison to more modern rivals like the Peugeot 106 and Renault Clio. Its successor was the Corsa; the first Vauxhall to adopt the same model name as the Opel version. By 1996, the whole Vauxhall and Opel ranges were identically named.
A clever TV advert in 1986 featured the Los Lobos hit “La Bamba” playing in the background as trick computer technology allowed the Nova to drive over vehicles in a busy city.
The Nova is becoming a less and less common sight on British roads with time. Many of these cars have been modified by younger owners and gained the car a strong association with “chav” culture. Worse still, many Novas have been targeted by joyriders due to the car’s minimal security specification.
In 1993, a curvier, more attractive, Corsa was unveiled, and in the UK, Vauxhall dropped the Nova name, with the car now being known as the Corsa. The following year, it was launched by Holden in Australia, as the Barina, replacing a version of the Suzuki Swift sold under that name. This proved a success, and was the first Spanish-built car to be sold in significant volumes in the Australian market. Power came from 1.2 L Family 0, 1.4 L and 1.6 L Family 1 petrol engines, as well as an economical 1.5 L turbodiesel engine. Unlike the previous model, there was no saloon version, but one was designed in Brazil for the Latin American market, as saloons were much preferred to hatchbacks. This was also introduced in South Africa and India. A station wagon, panel van and pick-up truck were also introduced. The wagon version was sold in some European markets (including Italy), badged as an Opel. The Corsa also spawned a small coupé called Opel Tigra. A 1.0 L 3-cylinder Family 0 economy version was launched in 1996, and a Lotus-tuned suspension was added as well as an exterior refresh. Strong competition came from new models like the Peugeot 206, Fiat Punto and Škoda Fabia.
The sedan model is still built and sold in Brazil as the Chevrolet Classic, and Chevrolet Corsa Classic in Argentina and also in Chile. A budget version, the Chevrolet Celta, has bodywork resembling the late 1990s Vectra and Astra. The Celta is sold in Argentina as the Suzuki Fun. Mexico has their version of the hatchback and sedan, known as the Chevy C2, which is also sold in Colombia. All Mexican versions were known as the Chevy, with the names Monza used on the sedan, and Swing and Joy on the hatchbacks.
The saloon and wagon versions were produced in China by GM Shanghai as Buick Sail and Buick Sail S-RV, respectively, until 2005. That year they became known as the Chevrolet Sail and SRV. In September 2006, Chile became the first country outside China to receive the Chinese-assembled Sail; it is called the Chevrolet Corsa Plus, available as a four-door sedan with a 1.6 L 92 PS (68 kW) engine. The Corsa Plus includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, electric windows and central locking as standard equipment
