1993 Chevrolet Cavalier

The Cavalier was part of the Chevrolet line from 1982 through 2005. The 1993 Cavalier was part of the second generation styling that had been introduced for 1988. The three-door hatchback of the previous years was no longer offered, leaving the coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon. The exterior styling of the coupe was completely new, but the sedan and wagon were unchanged from the doors back. Trim levels for 1988 included the VL, RS, and Z24, and the convertible was solely offered as a Z24. The VL and RS came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with overhead valves and upgraded to throttle-body injection. The 2.8-liter V6 with 125 horsepower was optional on the RS and standard on the Z24. The 2-liter engine was enlarged to 2.2-liters for 1990 and gained multi-point fuel injection in 1992. An extensive exterior restyling was applied to the 1991 models with a new hood, headlights, taillights, bumpers, and wheel covers. The interior was also redesigned.

By 1993, the Cavalier was offered as a coupe, sedan, and station wagon on the 'base' LV (Value Leader) and the RS. The RS also had a convertible, and the Z24 was available as a coupe or convertible. The VL coupe was priced at $8,520, the sedan at $8,620, and the wagon at $9,735. The Cavalier RS was approximately $1,000 higher. The convertible was priced at $15,400. The Z28 Coupe was priced at $12,500 and the convertible at $18,300.

The 133 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block and aluminum head, port fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, and 110 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. This engine was also used to power the Corsica, Beretta, and Lumina. A five-speed manual transmission was standard on most body styles and a three-speed automatic standard on the wagon. Steering was by a rack-and-pinion system and stopping power was by front disc and rear drums. The suspension included MacPherson struts with coil springs, stabilizer bars, and lower control arms. The wheelbase measured 101.3-inches.

The Z24 had sport cloth trim and a 3.1-liter V6 engine. This engine had overhead valves, a cast-iron block and head, 8.9:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, port fuel injection, and 140 horsepower at 4,200 RPM.

The coupe was the most popular Cavalier body style with 127,299 examples built, followed by 95,545 of the sedan, 19,207 of the station wagon, and 8,609 examples of the convertible.

The 1994 Cavalier remained mostly unchanged as designers and engineers worked on the all-new Cavalier for 1955.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021