The early 1970s brought a new dawn for Opel, as the German marque rolled out an all-new wave of cars designed to shore up its European and international market positions. One of those was the Opel Ascona A, which debuted in Rüsselsheim in the fall of 1970. Internally known as project 1.450, this was a mid-sized car that slotted between the smaller Opel Kadett and the larger Opel Rekord. The original A version had no UK equivalents in Vauxhall, which is what made it unique as an Opel.
Launch and Variants
Opel launched the Manta coupé — a compact, sporty counterpart to the more practical Ascona — on September 9, 1970. A few weeks later, October 28 the officially unveiled Opel Ascona came in two- and four-door (saloon) body styles and also in a three-door estate flavor named the Caravan (Voyage in some countries). The Ascona’s main competition was the Ford Taunus, a medium-sized family car that had already found favor with buyers across the Atlantic.
Originally aimed to replace the Opel Kadett, the Ascona was re-marketed for the burgeoning mid-sized car market, striking a better balance of practical, performance, and comfort. The first-generation Ascona ran until 1975 and managed to rack up a total of 691,913 units produced.
Three Trim Levels and Engine Choices
The Opel Ascona A came equipped with a selection of four-cylinder petrol engines, offering reliable and economical performance. These included:
1.2 S – 1,196 cc, 60 PS (44 kW)
~1.58 N – 1,584 cc, producing 60–68 PS (44–50 kW)
1.6 S – 1,584 cc, 75–80 PS (55–59 kW)
1.9 S – 1,897 cm3, 88–90 PS (65–66 kW)
A conventional overhead valve (OHV) design typified the 1.2-litre engine; versions of 1.6-or 1.9-litres employed Opel’s cam-in-head (CIH) technology which positioned the camshaft beside rather than above the valves. It was called so because it sought to minimize bulk and complexity in favor of efficiency. The single-barrel carburetor in all engine options offered simple maintenance and reliability.
The Rally-Winning Ascona 1.9 SR
Though its design was relatively simple and modest, the Opel Ascona A proved to be a mighty premiere in motorsport. The Ascona 1.9 SR—specifically—became known for its rallying potential. Walter Röhrl, who secured the 1974 European Rally Championship title in the Ascona, was behind the wheel. Victory in motorsport showed the potential of the Ascona beyond its practical, everyday appeal and cemented Opel’s reputation.
Tuning specialists like Steinmetz also improved the Ascona’s power. With 125 PS (92 kW) on tap thanks to two single-barrel Solex carburetors in addition to the 1.9 SR’s standard equipped engine, it would prove to be a serious contender in rally circuits and for enthusiasts.
Facelift and Later Models (1973-1975)
In 1973, theAscona received a minor facelift with some design refinements and added features. Over the years, the styling improved in big and small details but remained true to itself through the clean, boxy shape, contrasting chrome detailing, and well-proportioned stance. The estate variant, called the Caravan (or Voyage), added more cargo room, which made it a practical choice for both families and business users.
The Opel 1900 (1971–1975) Export to the United States
In a bold marketing play, Opel exported the 1.9-liter version of the Ascona to the States, where it was called the Opel 1900 and sold at Buick-Opel dealerships. The two- and four-door sedan variants were offered early on, and the two-door was dropped after 1973.
To meet US regulations, major changes occurred:
1974 models gained larger rubber-clad impact bumpers, to comply with federal safety regulations.
1975 models came standard with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection; European versions were not. This change enabled the vehicle to comply with tougher emissions standards in the US market.
It made slightly less power — the engine’s compression ratio was lowered to 7.6:1 for use with 91-octane unleaded fuel — but there was, nevertheless, a reduction in performance. Power was down to 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) at 4,800 rpm.
In the end, the rising value of the Deutsche Mark compared to the US dollar made the Opel 1900 less price competitive. After 1975, Opel vehicles in Buick showrooms were replaced by Isuzu Geminis with Opel badges but built in Japan.
Legacy of the Opel Ascona A
The Opel Ascona A is a treasured part of Opel’s heritage, a vehicle that was sandwiched between Kadett and Rekord, offering a more carry-gear, sportier alternative to the Ford Taunus. The car has earned a place in classic car culture because of its motorsport achievements, robust engineering and clean design. These days, the Ascona A is one of the more desirable models among vintage car collectors, especially when in its various rally-prepared versions.
The Ascona A was produced nearly 700,000 times and laid the groundwork for the model’s future success in global markets, making it an important part of Opel’s rich automotive heritage.
