In 1980, Vauxhall designers built a one-off prototype special Cavalier Sportshatch in metallic silver, hence the name "Silver Aero".

The car made its public debut in October 1980 at the NEC Motor Show on the Vauxhall stand. The idea of the Silver Aero project was to offer existing Sportshatch owners / buyers the chance to upgrade their cars to Silver Aero spec in three phases.

Phase 1

This was a sports interior. there were a pair of black leather Recaro seats with electrically controlled backrest cushions and lumbar supports. Grey carpeting with black and white trim and door panels featuring special graphics gave a modern look to the interior. A Voxon radio / cassette (expensive in 1980) was incorporated into a special centre console.

Phase 2

This phase addressed the exterior with a special bodykit made of glass fibre and included a nose cone, lower front spoiler with built in fog lamps and indicators, mouldings on the sills and full underbody skirting. A spoiler was fitted to the tailgate while a special rear spoiler with built in bumper was found on the rear valance. All exterior glass mouldings were in matt black. Compomotive alloy wheels with 215/60x15 Goodyear tyres finished the package.

Phase 3

The main feature of this package was the 2.4 litre turbocharged engine which produced 150bhp. This was built by WBB (Racing) Ltd. and Turbo Torque Ltd.

Special vents were let into the bonnet to dissipate the turbo heat. Sadly the project did not get past the one-off prototype. The car still survives today with less than 25,000 miles on the clock.