1993-2005 Opel Corsa Swing

One last glimpse at the history of the station wagon in India.

Supermodel looks? I don't think so.

No better from this angle. Generic, at best.

Since the very beginning, GM's Opel Corsa has always had a 5-door hatchback variant. But the second generation, labeled "B", was offered as an honest-to-goodness, traditionally styled station wagon. Though it was intended mostly for the Australian and European markets as a Holden, Vauxhall and other nameplates, GM decided to try offering it in Indian dealerships too, with limited success.

In most markets, the Corsa B was eventually replaced with the C generation in 2000, but not in India, where it soldiered on until 2005. It lasted even longer in other countries.

Forward thrust was most likely provided by the 1.4 and 1.6 Ecotec engines, with 89 hp and 99 or 105 hp, respectively. Built on the GM4200 plaftorm, we never got a related subcompact here in the States. Sales in India of the Swing were never all that strong and it's unsurprising to learn that I can't find proper stats. In its final years on sale there, my best guess is that they sold less than 1000 wagons per year.

There was a mild facelift (if you care to call it that) along the way, as you'll see in the side cargo window design in the video below. Arguably, it was the return of the 5-door hatch, but it's still a wagon to me.

Take it away Wind Noise Gals!

The Swing variant badge was also used on the 2-door hatchback in other parts of the world.

That concludes our history of the station wagon in India and while we took a look at five of the most significant, there were certainly more. If you have a favorite that you'd like to discuss, please post in the comments below.

Modifying a cheap car is a time honored tradition. Check out what one enthusiast did to their Corsa wagon. I wonder how far it is to the ocean?