Associated Models

Opel Ascona B Saloon 1975-81

2/4 door 5-seater saloon

F/R

The second generation Opel Ascona B was presented in the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was available as a two or four-door sedan. There were related two and three-door coupé models in the Opel Manta range. There was no estate body.

The Ascona B retained the same engine range as its predecessor, although the 1.9 L was increased to 2.0 L in 1978, and versions with higher compression ratio and needing 98 octane gas, dubbed S, were available alongside the 90 octane models. The 2.0 E model had a Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, and a 2.0 L diesel motor was added to the Ascona B range in 1978. Engine range was larger than that of the Vauxhall Cavalier though not all engines were available in the UK

A version of the Ascona B, featuring the front end of the Manta B, was sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Chevair. This was in addition to a Chevrolet Ascona, identical in most respects to the Opel.

Over 1.2 million Ascona B units were produced worldwide until 1981.

Opel Manta B 1975-1988

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The second car to use the Manta name was launched in August 1975. This two-door "three-box" car was mechanically based directly on the then newly redesigned Opel Ascona,. The Manta had more "sporty" styling, including a droop-snoot nose not seen on the Ascona, although it was standard, on the UK version of the Ascona, the Vauxhall Cavalier. There was still no "Vauxhall Manta", with the car remaining an Opel in the UK. However, a Vauxhall Cavalier was available with the same coupé bodyshell. Engines where available ranging from the small 1,2 litre OHV engine, the 1,6 litre CIH and the 1,9 litre CIH. Also in 1976 the GT/E engine from the Manta A series was adapted into the Manta B programme spawning the GT/E Manta B series. In 1979 the GT/E had the engine replaced with the new 2,0 litre CIH and with a new designed Bosch L injection system. Power output was now 110 bhp (82 kW). The 1.9 litre engine gave way to the 2,0 litre S engine which was aspirated by a Varajet II carburettor. This engine was the most used engine by Opel at the time, and was to be found in several Opel Rekord cars.

In 1977, a three-door hatchback version appeared to complement the existing two-door booted car. This shape was also not unique, being available on the Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch variant.

Both Manta versions received a facelift in 1982, which included a plastic front spoiler, sideskirts for the GT/E and GSi models, a small wing at the rear and quadruple air intakes on the grille. Also the 1.2, 1.6 and 1.9 litre engines were discontinued and replaced by the 1.3 litre OHC engine, the 1.8 litre OHC and the 2.0 litre S and E CIH engines. The GT/E was the model name for the UK where as in Europe it was badged the GSi. Production of the Manta continued well after the equivalent Ascona and Cavalier were replaced by a front wheel drive model "Ascona C". In 1982 the 1,8 litre OHC engine from the Ascona was fitted in the Manta B making a more economical Manta B to drive. It could run 14 km per litre and use unleaded fuel. The 1,8 was very popular and was in production for 5 years (1982-1987). The 2,0S models where discontinued in 1984 and only the GSi was available with the "large" engine. In 1986 Opel released the last Manta B model the Exclusive, giving it all of the best in equipment. Recaro seats with red cloth, grey leather like interior and the full bodypack known from the i200 models. This consisted of twin round headlights in a plastic cover, frontspoiler and rear lower spoiler from Irmscher, sideskirts and the known 3 split rear spoiler of the Manta 400 (producing 80 kg (176 lb) of weight on the rear at 200 km/h). Opel finally ceased the production of the Manta B in 1988, only producing the GSi exclusive the last 2 years. Sales continued in 1988 until the Manta was indirectly replaced by the Vauxhall Calibra though this car is front wheel drive not rear wheel drive. The last Manta’s sold were called Manta Exclusives with special body kit and available in blue or silver.

Opel Kadett C 1973-1979

2/3/4-door 5-Seater Saloon/Hatchback/Estate/Coupe

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The Kadett C appeared in 1973 and was Opel's version of General Motors' "T-Car".

The Kadett C formed the basis of the British Vauxhall Chevette, which had a restyled front end and launched with a hatchback body, in addition to using a 1256 cc OHV (over-head valve) Vauxhall engine rather than the 1196 cc OHV Opel engine. The Chevette made the Kadett C notable by allowing it to become Opel's first hatchback — a version named Kadett City appeared in August 1975, based on the Chevette's hatchback body. Although Kadett C production ended in 1979, the Chevette was produced until January 1984. Unusually for Vauxhall models, the Chevette was imported to Germany starting in 1979 to satisfy the needs of the rear wheel drive traditionalists and was quite a success for a year or two.

The Kadett C today is a cult car in Germany, especially in fastback (coupé) form. The most sought after versions of the Kadett C Coupé are the Rallye and GT/E models. These models were built first with the Bosch fuel injected 1897 cc OHC (over-head cam) Opel engine, and followed by the updated 1998 cc OHC engine. Right-hand drive versions of these sports models are now rarely seen.

Included in the range from 1976was very rare version, the Aero-Kadett, an open-top Kadett with targa roll bar, detachable roof insert and a separate convertible top aft of the roll bar. This car was built in very limited numbers by Karosserie Baur (Baur also produced convertible's for BMW) in Stuttgart. One clue concerning its rarity is the manufacturer's recommended retail price of DM 15,500.

The Kadett C reached the United States as the Buick–Opel. In reality, however, this was an Isuzu Gemini; an updated version of this car was marketed in the USA as the Isuzu I-Mark in the early 1980s.

Vauxhall Calibra 1989-1997

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The Vauxhall Calibra, was also known as the Opel Calibra in the Europe the Chevrolet Calibra in South America and the Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zeland. The Calibra is based on the running gear of the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 (Opel Vectra A), which was launched in 1988. Calibra production was based in the Opel factory in Ruesselheim, Germany and the Valmet Automotive factory in Unsikaupunki in Finland where production was consolidated in November 1995.

The Vauxhall Calibra won Autocar and Motor Design of the Year Award in 1989. The UK launch was 10^th June 1989.

The Vauxhall Calibra was styled by the head of Vauxhall/Opel Design Europe, Wayne Cherry who was previously head of the Vauxhall Design Team at Luton. Ride and handling of the Calibra are very simalr to the Cavalier Mk3 on which it is based. The car was launched in 1989, and was the most aerodynamic production car in the world. This was mentioned in the launch advert in 1990,

The eight valve model was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient , with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. and it remained the most aerodynamic mass production car for the next 10 years, All later 16V, V6, 4x4, turbo models had a worse Cd of 0.29 which was caused bychanges in cooling system, underbody, use of spoked wheels and glass detail. The car was face-lifted in 1994 and production ceased in 1997.

The last Calibra Turbos were produced in early 1997 before a final run of Calibra Turbo Limited Editions were rolled out. These were all finished in jet black paintwork with Irmscher spoiler, BBS RX 16" alloys and colour coded body fittings. This final incarnation was also lowered by 35mm on Irmscher springs and dampers. The interior was heated cream leather, with a steering wheel trimmed in grey leather and a plaque showing the build number mounted on the centre console. A conversation with an ex-Vauxhall Dealer employee has unearthed a story about the final run out model the SE9. The Calibra were made at a Saab factory in Unsikaupunki in Finland. Due to the size of the site stock checks of cars were carried out from the air and a stock check of cars on the site near the end of Calibra production found a number of Calibra 2.5 V6’s on site that Vauxhall/Opel were not aware of. These were badged up as the final run out SE9. Quite how you can miss this about of cars at site we are not quite sure. Also we are unable to verify how accurate this story is.

Models.

2.0 8v

2.0 16v

2.0 16v 4x4

2.0 Turbo 4x4

2.0 Turbo DTM

2.5 V6

2.0 8v SE1