In other world markets, however, various badge engineered versions of the Kadett C remained in production as late as the mid-1990s under other GM brand names.

Despite being out of production since 1979, in Europe the Kadett C retains something of a cult following (along with its Vauxhall Chevette sister) largely due to its popularity in the sport of drifting, where its conventional rear-wheel-drive layout is valued, along with its ability to be easily upgraded with engines from larger Opel cars.

A further 11% were three door estate-bodied cars badged, following Opel tradition, as the Kadett Caravan, with the two-door coupés accounting for slightly under 10%.

[2] Publicity of the time, possibly originating with Mercedes-Benz, indicated that in order to minimize the risk of fire in the event of collision, the safest position for a car's fuel tank was above the rear axle between the passenger cabin and the boot/trunk, and this is where the Kadett C "Limousine" and "Coupé" had their fuel tanks fitted, accessible for refilling via the (unexpectedly, hinged,) extractor vent on the car's right-side C-pillar.

The unique panels for the Kadett City were produced at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant and exported to Bochum for assembly into finished bodyshells.

However, the 1,196 cc engine was now also available as a "1.2N" with a lower 7.8: 1 compression ratio and in this form it produced a maximum 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp) of power at 5,600 rpm.

The power output of the low compression ratio unit was improved in August 76 to 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) at 5,400rpm, at the cost of a small reduction in maximum torque.

May 1977 saw the addition of a smaller version of Opel's Camshaft in Head (CIH) engine to the Kadett range, this time in high compression form as the "1.6S" unit.

Maximum power of 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) was quoted, providing for a listed top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) in saloon bodied cars.

The GT/E's 1897 cc engine had till 1973 featured in the earlier Kadett B range of power units, but now it incorporated "Bosch L-Jetronic" fuel-injection.

Maximum output of 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5400 rpm was virtually identical to that achieved by the Kadett B with its limited edition "Hochleistung" (high power) version of the same engine, but the earlier car had achieved its power level using old fashioned twin carburetors, a fuel feed approach now losing out to fuel injection in the face of increasingly stringent emission regulations.

The car came with a four speed all-synchromesh manual transmission as standard, gear selection being performed using a centrally positioned floor-mounted lever.

[10] At launch, Kadett Cs powered by the 1.0-litre and the lower compression version of the 1.2-litre engine were delivered fitted with 200 mm (7.9 in) diameter drum brakes on all four wheels.

On the outside the Berlina was distinguished by a discrete chrome side strip along the length of the car redesigned headlights, now rectangular in shape and a little larger than hitherto.

The larger headlights appeared to be part of a single unit also incorporating turn indicators now positioned directly adjacent to the lights at the car's front corners.

Advertising of the time featured an aggressive two-tone yellow and white paint scheme, although it was also possible to specify a conventional "everyday" body colour.

The rear-wheel suspension was enhanced through the inclusion of vertically mounted telescopic dampers produced by the manufacturer's Spanish component factory.

Whilst mainstream Opel production had ceased, the Kadett C continued in its many badge engineered, and derivative versions around the world for several years afterward.

The hatchback "City" version also continued with Chevette badging, but these models were effectively replaced by the Opel Corsa A (Vauxhall Nova) in 1983.