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Rubbish Cars We Love: Vauxhall Calibra – Twist One For Skibadee
by CHRIS LAVERTY on MARCH 17, 2006

The last time you found yourself cut-up at the lights it was probably by some numbskull driving a Calibra.

Don’t let that put you off though. It has so much more to offer than not being a Cavalier .

Sorted:

It was a gorgeous looking car the Calibra, both in its heyday and now. Some folk have even compared it to Mazda’s RX-8, but they would be very wrong. That’s a good car and the Calibra, for all its sexiness on the cruising front, really isn’t.




From 1990, the Calibra squeezed out eight years of UK sales before becoming too geezer for its own good and dying of image problems. That roaming back end was apparently a bit of an issue too.

And while we are in a moaning mood, what kind of a colour option was ‘Rjoca Metallic’? Believe us, the type of person who bought a new Calibra did not under any circumstances drink wine.

Sweet:

Back to the good stuff.

The Calibra was an aerodynamic dream. Beauty with function, Paris Hilton with a brain, Michael with a career – a coupe that Vauxhall would never again replicate with such brutal efficiency. Though it pains us to say – as there are so many bilge examples out there – the Calibra does function really well as a mod-car. It responds nicely to tinkering and finishes up great with some modest side skirts.

Word is that the fastest car in the world is a Calibra. Etching a reported 0-60 time of 1.25 seconds, and clearly having benefited from some mild modifications since leaving the production line. This fun and head-spinningly daft creation is typical of why the Calibra has the rep it does. Though some people like this reputation; being a Kev is what motoring is all about when you cannot let go of your youth, the rest of us are missing out on a seductive tarmac-licker simply because we don’t want to look like an arse.

Flava:

The V6 turbo is the Calibra to have, but it won’t be easy finding one that has not been introduced to the world of tattoo transfers and boot-space amps. The front wheel drive Vee is an angry loner. It continues where the already interesting 2.0 litre leaves off and keeps on going until the police catch up.

If you want a Vauxhall Calibra with some life still left in it, forget about leather steering wheels, a slightly less grey interior and jutting factory spoilers. Any model with a full history should do you proud. If you find a V6 then either consider yourself very lucky or search around for the hidden camera. If any Vee example is for sale at under £1000 step away, calmly, with your jumper over your mouth. The only thing holding that junk in one piece will be the wield points.

We have found a respectable Vauxhall Calibra on eBay. Pity they do not show a picture of the owner though, as that might tell us a whole lot more.

Taser:

We are not categorical on how much we actually love the Vauxhall Calibra. We just know we’re missing out on something special by hating it.

The Calibra came from an unusual time when car manufacturers were experimenting more and succeeding less. For all its reputed dependability problems and susceptibility to teenage vandals, the Calibra was a valiant effort to bring back those big-barge seventies. Just think what it might have looked like covered in chrome?

No wonder they can’t stop pimping it. Check out the b***h in Banlieue 13.

[story by Chris Laverty]

[bluejuz]

A V6 turbo?? Will have to get me one of them!

[Callyman]

How old is that?

[KERR_SE9]

t**t! Although some of it rings "True"