1989 Chevrolet Cavalier

The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier was part of the second generation Cavalier, introduced in 1988 and produced through 1994. Along with a restyling, the three-door hatchback body style was no longer available, leaving the convertible, wagon, coupe, and sedan. The coupe wore a completely new design while the sedan and wagon were unchanged from the doors back. Three trim levels were offered, including the VL, RS, and Z24. The convertible was only offered with the Z24 package. Standard power for the VL (Value Leader) and RS was an overhead valve, 2.0-liter, L4 engine, now upgraded to throttle body injection (TBI) and offering 90 horsepower. The 2.8 liter V6 developed 125 horsepower and was optional on the RS and standard on the Z24. A five-speed manual gearbox was standard on two-door models and available with an optional three-speed automatic. The Three-speed automatic was standard on wagons and sedans.

The RS and Z24 trims were available with an electronic dashboard.

Entering the second year of its redesign, the 1989 Cavalier received only minor updates and improvements, including a redesigned steering column. The new self-aligning steering wheel with an energy-absorbing hub was designed to reduce injuries in a collision. Another safety addition was the standard rear shoulder belts on all models. Coupe and sedan body styles were no longer available with the RS trim level but were replaced by RS option packages available on all three base Cavaliers. The package included 14-inch tires and the sport suspension.

The convertible option was dropped after 1989 to eliminate internal competition was a planned Beretta convertible. The Beretta convertible came close to production but was eventually shelved before a 1990 Cavalier convertible could be prepared. It was brought back in mid-1991 in the RS trim only with the V6 engine. The following year, it was available in both RS and Z24 trims.

The base price of the 1989 Cavalier was $7,375 - the price of the VL coupe. The most expensive 1989 Cavalier was the Convertible, which had a base price of $16,615. The total Cavalier coupe production for 1989 reached 227,433 units, plus 28,549 station wagons, 107,569 sedans, and 13,075 convertible coupes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020