Autocade
Anyone know the history of this? There are some things that are obvious. The base is the #Opel Rekord D. It’s South Africa. It must be a variant of the #Chevrolet 2500, 3800 or 4100 (the file name suggests 2500). But what is the deal with the grille? It seems Chevrolet (#GMSA) was experimenting with the Wayne Cherry droop snoot? #GM #WeirdCarMastodon #car #Auto #RSA #history
Jun 19, 2025 at 11:52amWeb
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKJun 19, 2025
@autocade this looks very similar to Vauxhall models of the same era, and it seems the Vauxhall brand was also used in South Africa (and some vehicles made there)
Show threadDaveOfTheNuiJun 19, 2025
@vfrmedia @autocade Agreed, Vauxhall was the first thing that poped into my head when I saw the pic.
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025
@WainuiTrailerTrash @vfrmedia The GM outposts were all in touch with head office so ideas definitely would be shared.
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025
@vfrmedia By this time, GMSA had decided to rid itself of Ranger, Vauxhall and Holden, and branded everything Chevrolet, a situation that lasted till the 1980s. But they were producing cars with odd amalgams of Vauxhall and Opel tech, and I wonder if this was GMSA deciding if they would go the Vauxhall direction on styling.
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKJun 19, 2025
@autocade I also remember in England around the 80s until I think early 90s both Vauxhall and Opel cars were available, and Opel generally had nicer trim and were seen as "exotic"..
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025
@vfrmedia The ranges existed together for a long time but when the Astra Mk I (Kadett D) came out, Opels started vanishing, till there was just the Manta and Monza toward the end of the 1980s. They were a little more special and better made, too (e.g. Kadett C v. Chevette). 🙂
Show threadOwen MeheganJun 19, 2025
@autocade Vauxhall Cavalier?
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025
@literatesavant It’s the class above but it makes you wonder if they were experimenting with the droop snoot.
Show threadDennis MoserJun 19, 2025
@autocade you could try reaching out to the archives and archivist at the GM Research Center in Detroit… If I recall correctly they are in Warren, MI
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025
@dennis_moser Good idea, thank you!
Show threadRootWyrm 🇺🇦Jun 19, 2025
@autocade I don't think this was at all a production car, just because of the headlight arrangement. It looks like the nose is actually a modified version of the South Africa market Cavalier maybe?
Show threadAutocadeJun 19, 2025

@rootwyrm You’re right, this definitely isn’t a production car. My theory is that GMSA was experimenting with the droop snoot at the design stage—though it has progressed further than just scale models here. The base car is the size above (Rekord D), which GMSA produced as the Chevrolet 2500, 3800 and 4100. Ultimately GMSA would release the Chevrolet Chevair, the Ascona B with a Manta-like nose:

https://autocade.net/index.php/Chevrolet_Chevair

Chevrolet Chevair - Autocade