Opel in the World Rally Championship

Opel rally cars

History of Opel in the World Rally Championship

Opel’s history in rallying is rich and marked by a deep connection to both national and international motorsport. The brand first made its presence felt in the rally world during the early post-war era, steadily building a reputation for producing rugged, reliable, and competitive cars. Opel’s early involvement in rallying was mostly focused on national events across Europe, with their production models being modified for competition. However, it wasn’t long before the company started to develop rally-specific cars that would elevate their status on the global stage.

In the early years, models like the Opel Kadett and Opel Rekord were popular among privateer teams, thanks to their solid engineering and relative affordability. These cars were especially successful in regional events, where reliability and durability were essential for finishing the long and often grueling rallies of the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, Opel began to cultivate relationships with skilled drivers and racing teams, establishing a base of expertise that would later prove crucial in its ascent to the upper echelons of rallying.

The late 1960s saw Opel make a stronger push into rallying, driven by the increasing competition from brands like Ford, Renault, and Fiat. It was in the 1970s, however, that Opel began to cement its place as a major force in the sport. The introduction of the Opel Ascona and Opel Manta models represented a significant step forward in Opel’s rallying efforts. The Ascona, in particular, quickly became a fan favorite due to its robust construction and adaptable nature, capable of handling both tarmac and gravel stages with ease.

One of Opel’s first major successes came in 1974, when the Opel Ascona was piloted to victory in several European rallies, showcasing the car’s potential on the international stage. This was a period when the sport was becoming increasingly professionalized, and manufacturers were beginning to invest more heavily in research and development to create specialized rally cars. Opel's commitment to rallying began to show real promise, and the brand attracted top drivers who were eager to push the limits of the Ascona.

The pinnacle of Opel’s rallying achievements came in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the Opel Ascona 400. This car, developed in collaboration with British engineer Tony Fall, was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle powered by a 2.4-liter engine that produced upwards of 240 horsepower. The Ascona 400 was built to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC), and its powerful engine and lightweight body made it a formidable competitor on all surfaces. It was renowned for its ability to perform well on rough, gravelly terrain while also maintaining excellent handling on smoother tarmac roads.

The Opel Ascona 400 achieved its greatest success when it was driven by the legendary Walter Röhrl, who is widely regarded as one of the best rally drivers of all time. Röhrl’s precise driving style and deep understanding of the car allowed him to extract every ounce of performance from the Ascona 400, leading to one of Opel’s most significant victories: the 1982 World Rally Championship title. Röhrl’s mastery of the Ascona 400, combined with Opel’s engineering, culminated in a remarkable WRC season, where the car was able to consistently compete with the dominant four-wheel-drive vehicles of the era.

Alongside the Ascona 400, the Opel Manta 400 also played an important role in Opel’s rallying history. The Manta 400 shared much of the same DNA as the Ascona, with a similar rear-wheel-drive setup and robust 2.4-liter engine. However, the Manta had a sleeker, more aerodynamic body, which made it particularly effective on tarmac rallies. While the Manta 400 didn’t achieve the same level of success as the Ascona in terms of championship victories, it nonetheless contributed to Opel’s reputation as a serious competitor in international rallying, securing several podium finishes and proving popular with both factory and privateer teams.

Opel’s rally success was not limited to its cars alone, but was also tied to the exceptional talent of its drivers. In addition to Walter Röhrl, Opel worked with many skilled drivers who helped push the brand forward in the WRC. Röhrl’s championship victory in 1982 is the standout achievement, but other drivers, such as Ari Vatanen, also found success behind the wheel of Opel rally cars. Vatanen, known for his fearless driving and aggressive style, was another key figure in Opel’s rallying story, particularly in the early 1980s when he competed in both the Ascona and Manta models.

The mid-1980s, however, brought about significant changes in the rallying world with the rise of Group B. Opel, like many other manufacturers, was faced with the challenge of adapting to the new era of rallying that favored increasingly powerful and technically advanced vehicles. Opel developed the Opel Manta 400 Evolution to compete in Group B, but despite its improved performance, the Manta was ultimately outclassed by the all-wheel-drive monsters like the Audi Quattro and Peugeot 205 T16. Although the Manta Evolution showed flashes of brilliance, it could not keep up with the seismic shift toward four-wheel-drive technology, which became the new standard in rallying.

Despite the challenges faced during the Group B era, Opel continued to be a significant player in national and regional rally championships throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The brand’s legacy in the sport is defined not only by its WRC success but also by the widespread use of its cars by privateer teams in rallies across Europe. The Opel Kadett GSi, in particular, became a favorite for amateur drivers looking for a reliable, high-performance car for regional events. Its front-wheel-drive layout, coupled with a powerful engine, made it a competitive option for smaller rallies and contributed to Opel’s enduring popularity in the sport.

From its early success with the Ascona and Manta to its ventures in Group B and beyond, Opel’s contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark. Whether it was the sheer power of the Ascona 400 or the adaptability of the Manta, Opel’s rally cars captured the imagination of fans and drivers alike, helping to shape the evolution of rallying through the late 20th century.