FAQ Library

What trim levels were available on J-bodies?

The Cavalier has been offered in an extremely wide variety of models and trim-line designations. For example: RS, LS, LS Sport, Z24, Type-10, CL, VL, VLX, CS, and CX that designated major performance equipment and options. The Sunfire has had almost as many models and trim packages, with SE, SL, SLX, GT and GTX. Note that these were the official GM-offered packages, not including dealer-installed badging or stickers.


Cavaliers have also appeared (unofficially) with GT, SS, Z22 and Z23 that were dealer-applied graphics and/or interior equipment packages. Sunfires have been reported with GTO designations as well, also dealer-installed badging.


The Cavalier wagon and J2000 Safari were available by the end of the '82 model year while SkyHawk wagon and Firenza Cruiser were not produced until the '83 model year. Firenza Cruiser (as well as the Firenza itself) and Sunbird Safari were cut after the 1988 year, SkyHawk hung on for one more, and Cavalier wagon stayed on the list until the 1995 redesign.


In 1984, 5181 Cavaliers are reported to have been made with the Special
Olympic Appearance package.


Type-10 was the forerunner to what was called RS after 1985. You can
notice a direct relationship in appearance as the '84-85 Type-10 and
'86-90 RS both had regular-style grilles in black where the lower-level
models had either silver or body-colour grilles depending on the year. It was also a predecessor of the Z24.


The Cavalier Z24 first appeared as a 1986.5 model year car. Only a very limited number were produced. They can be picked out by the "Z24" logos and ground effects, along with the steel wheels (unlike the aluminum alloys used in the 1987+ model years). It was available in 2-door (coupe) and 3-door (hatchback) forms both in '86 and '87. Z24's from 1986-1990 had a specially designed grille in black.


In 1988-1990, the VL was an upscale base (only a few select options).


In 1989, although there was no RS there was an RS trim package for the base and VL sedans which consisted of the wheels (which were also available as a separate option) and the body side moldings.


In 1990, a CX and CX Sport model were created, although it is rumored that a few 1991 or later ones exist. The 1990 version has CX Sport written just under the taillights within a long black strip. The 1991 version has a side decal on the underside of the door.


The Cavalier VL that first appeared in 1992 and remained until the third generation Cavalier was introduced in 1995 which had only one side mirror and one black molding stripe down the sides, in addition to the standard pinstripe. They have power locks, power steering, power brakes, and a 2.2L automatic.


Some later models of the VL appear with a second side mirror.


ABS became standard equipment on the J-body in 1992, and was once again made optional for the 2003 model year.


Cavalier and Sunbird hold the extremely rare distinction of being available as a 2-door, a 3-door, a 4-door, a 5-door, and a convertible in the same years from 1983 to 1987!


SkyHawk and Firenza were available in all but convertible, and Cimarron was only available as a 4-door sedan.


Toyota Cavaliers were available only in automatic form and only with the 2.4L engine. They came with a leather steering wheel, folding mirrors, different marker/signal lamps, amber taillights, a rear seat with center armrest, and a trunk lid carpet liner.


For the final production model year (2005),

United States
Cavalier was available in coupe and sedan form. The coupe was available in Special Value Package, base, LS and LS Sport models. The sedan was available in base, LS and LS Sport models.

Sunfire was available in coupe form only, in Special Value Package (1SV), 1SA, 1SB and 1SC models. There was no longer an SE/GT designation.


Canada
Cavalier was available as a coupe or sedan in VL, VLX or Z24 models.

Sunfire was available in coupe or sedan form. The coupe was available in SL and GT models. The sedan was available in SL and SLX models.


Mexico
Cavalier was available in sedan form only.

Sunfire was available in coupe or sedan form.

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Created: 01-01-2004
Modified: 07-10-2009
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