Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 SRi Merseyside Police

Vauxhall’s Cavalier had begun to make serious inroads into the Police market in its Mk2 guise, taking sales away from Ford and BL. The Merseyside Police Mk3 Cavalier SRi was a very appealing package as it was fast enough to do duty in motorway and pursuit roles if needed but not so expensive to maintain or uncomfortable to drive that it could not be used for more mundane tasks. Vauxhall launched the ‘cheesecutter’ grille Senator in 1987 and that car’s standard of ride, handling, accommodation and performance made it the motorway patrol car of choice which also led to an increase in Police sales of other Vauxhall models.

Specification

• Engine: 1998cc 16v DOHC

• Power: 150bhp@6000rpm

• Maximum speed: 133mph

• 0-60mph: 7.9secs

• Scale:  1:43