Today's shoot: 1983 Opel Monza 3.0E Coupe

[cawimmer430]

THE CAR IS RWD!



^Now that I have your attention...^ 


1983 Opel Monza 3.0E Coupe. The only luxury GT car Opel ever made. This one has 183,200+ km on it, a 3.0-l inline-6 and a 5-speed M/T. The owner is an elderly gentleman who is a complete RWD-fanatic and Opel fan (and also an ex-Opel mechanic). He still uses this car on a daily basis in all weather conditions. For this shoot the weather report told us that it would be cold and rainy - didn't happen. The sun was shining and birds were chirping. He's given the car a few add-ons like chrome hood mirrors (original options from Opel), French-spec yellow fog lights, an Irmscher steering wheel and Irmscher spoiler and a bunch of other add-ons (inside the interior).

This car was also sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Royale and I believe there was a Holden version of it as well. It is possible that in America the Chevrolet Monza and Buick Skyhawk were also distantly related from a technical perspective.

[mzziaz]

Nice car.

Too bad he ruined it with the styling.

[Habitual Speeder]

Nice car.

Too bad he ruined it with the styling.

Nice photos, Christian, but this was never one of my favourite cars.

[cawimmer430]

Thanks. I am working on a motion photo of the car right now.

Here are some behind the scenes photos on his forum for Opel Monza fans and owners: http://monzaguhru.forumprofi.de/berichte-bilder-f17/monza-in-szene-gesetzt--t90.html

[Madman]

Get rid of all the stick-on crap and it would be a decent looking car.

[Colin]

I do like Opel Monzas......... but not this one. I'm afraid it has been unduly desecrated, as others have already observed. Take it back to the way its maker intended and it would be nice. This was a car where the facelift probably improved the looks.

UK buyers could choose between this and the Vauxhall Royale for a brief time, but as most chose the Opel (Senator as well), the Vauxhall had a short life.

I don't think it had any significant linkage to any GM US cars of the era. 

[cawimmer430]

Get rid of all the stick-on crap and it would be a decent looking car.

Yeah, I am not crazy about the hood mirrors and the spoiler. If those were gone the car would look cleaner.

[cawimmer430]

UK buyers could choose between this and the Vauxhall Royale for a brief time, but as most chose the Opel (Senator as well), the Vauxhall had a short life.

Interesting how these cars were sold as "Opels" in the UK. The whole Opel-Vauxhall stuff is really confusing anyways. 

[AutobahnSHO]

Sorry but that looks like an EXTREMELY poorly styled ripoff of the Datsun 240/280.
I like the wheels, rear lights, and that's it.

[cawimmer430]

Sorry but that looks like an EXTREMELY poorly styled ripoff of the Datsun 240/280.

I don't think they look anything alike at all. 

[AutobahnSHO]

weird, must be because I loved the Zs SO MUCH and this just looks kinda lame..

[cawimmer430]

weird, must be because I loved the Zs SO MUCH and this just looks kinda lame..

What about the Miata!??!?!

[AutobahnSHO]

What about the Miata!??!?!

I haz one. What about it?

When I was a kid I had a matchbox 280z. Always wanted one.  Also read an article about the SHO station wagon C&D built- always wanted one. Loved the SHO for the 2 years I had it.

If I ever find great fortune I'll be at those high-end auctions looking for a restored 1991 Taurus SHO "plus" in electric red....

[cawimmer430]

I haz one. What about it?

It's the benchmark. Why buy an SUV with AWD when you can have a Miata? Why buy a 1972 Ford Country Squire for the big family when you can have a Miata? Do you see how awesome that car is? 

If I ever find great fortune I'll be at those high-end auctions looking for a restored 1991 Taurus SHO "plus" in electric red....

Don't forget the Robocop suit. 

[cawimmer430]

[2o6]

That thing looks like it's understeering into the bushes....

[cawimmer430]

That thing looks like it's understeering into the bushes....

It's an Opel. They handle like crap.