Real Opel Classics at the ADAC Oldtimer Tour Hessen-Thüringen

• Open-air experience: through the Rheingau and Taunus in the red Opel Rekord C Cabrio
• Sports stars: Sleek Opel GT, Kadett GT/E and Manta GSi at the start in Oberursel
• State-bearing: Opel Diplomat V8 plus Kadett GSi from former Chancellor Schmidt
• State-of-the-art: ADAC organization team on the move in the new Opel Astra plug-in hybrid

Opel Kadett C GT/E

Summer, sun, classic rally: After two years of "Corona pit stops", ADAC Oldtimer Tour Hessen-Thüringen starts again from June 16th to 19th . And for the anniversary of “160 years of Opel”the brand with the lightning bolt comes up with a strong group of automotive classics. Real sports stars from the Opel GT and the Kadett GT/E to the Manta GSi are at the start, as are state-of-the-art models such as the Opel Diplomat V8 and the Kadett GSi, which former Chancellor Schmidt drove in his free time. Shortly before the start of summer, of course, a timelessly beautiful open-air classic should not be missing: the Opel Rekord C Cabrio will attract many admiring glances at the side of the track - just like the latest addition to the Opel family. ADAC organization team is on the road at the vintage car rally in a completely new Astra plug-in hybrid , showing how driving fun can be combined with a sense of responsibility in a state-of-the-art and elegant way.

Opel Astra Hybrid and Opel Kadett GSi 

Rüsselsheim rally stars of the ADAC Hessen-Thüringen 2022 at a glance:

• Opel Rekord C Cabrio, built in 1967, 55 kW/75 hp
• Opel GT, 1968, 66 kW / 90 hp
• Opel Diplomat V8, 1975, 169 kW / 230 hp
• Opel Kadett GT / E, 1977, 85 kW / 115 hp
• Opel Manta GSi Exclusiv, 1988, 81 kW / 110 hp
• Opel Kadett GSi, 1991, 85 kW / 115 hp
• Opel Astra Hybrid, 2022, 133 kW/180 hp system performance (as organization vehicle)

Timelessly beautiful: Opel classics from four decades in the Rheingau and Taunus

Field of participants in the 2022 edition of the ADAC Hessen-Thüringen starts on both days of the rally in Oberursel. On the first stage on Friday, June 17th, the riders will go through the beautiful Rheingau; on Saturday, vintage car drivers will circle their automobile treasures via Wetzlar and Butzbach through the Taunus and Wetterau back to Bad Homburg. Skill is required instead of "lead foot", because the routes are peppered with special tests.

Opel Rekord C Cabriolet

Opel Rekord C Cabriolet is perfect for cruising along the scenic roads - and at the same time represents a real rarity. Because the bright red convertible didn't just roll off the assembly line in 1967, it was specially modified by the traditional Cologne-based coachbuilder Karl Deutsch for open-air fans. Cheapest basis in the form of a two-door Rekord C cost 7,590 marks at the time, the conversion costs another 4,000 marks. Exclusive creations of the Deutsch company remain beautiful, special and rare – only around 50 of these elegant convertibles are built.

Opel GT, Kadett GT/E and Manta GSi provide a sporty, fast flair at the classic car outing. "Only flying is nicer": This slogan has now become a classic - just like the advertised car. Opel GT thrilled the public right from the start and is still one of the most coveted coupés in the world with its exciting "Coke Bottle Design". A total of 103,463 examples were built from 1968 to 1973. The 66 kW/90 hp red GT, which is starting in Oberursel, is the world's oldest existing GT.

Opel GT

Second version of the Opel Kadett GT/E was presented to the public for the first time at the IAA 1977 and was primarily intended to make entry into motorsport particularly easy. The competition vehicle, which was consistently trimmed for sporty use, still inspires enthusiasts today with its equipment from the two-liter engine with electronic fuel injection to the ZF five-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential to the sporty tuned and reinforced chassis. Eye-catching white and yellow paintwork was standard.

Opel Manta B GSi Exclusiv

Its enduring popularity ensures Opel Manta B a special place in the company's automotive history. No other model stayed on the market longer than the second generation Manta. Presented in autumn 1975, the sleek coupé rolls off the production line 557,940 times in 14 years. For many years, the Manta B was Germany's best-selling sports car. Special model Manta GSi Exclusiv refined by Irmscher puts the “shiny” crown on the Manta success story: with light alloy wheels in an exclusive design, three-part painted rear wing and round double headlights.

Opel Diplomat V8

Strongest model in the Opel field of participants in this year's Hessen-Thüringen Rally is the Opel Diplomat B V8 . With its 5.4-liter eight-cylinder engine (169 kW/230 hp), the long-wheelbase version of the Opel flagship reached speeds of around 200 km/h, making it one of the fastest touring sedans of its time. Diplomat also lives up to his name, as the vehicle was used by American President Gerald Ford on his state visit in 1975. Last, but not least, another state-of-the-art example completes the field: the Kadett GSi , painted metallic black with 85 kW/115 hp was purchased in 1991 by none other than former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who used the car for five years for private trips together with his wife Loki. Opel Kadett GSi was able to reach the then prestigious mark of 200 km/h top speed not least because of its aerodynamic qualities with a trailblazing drag coefficient of 0.30.

Opel Kadett E GSi

Compact class fit for the future: All-new Opel Astra as a plug-in hybrid

Last Kadett generation already showed what the compact class from Opel has always been able to do. Innovations and state-of-the-art technologies in models that customers otherwise only know from higher vehicle classes - Opel has remained true to this credo to this day. This also applies to the latest compact class generation with the lightning bolt, which combines tradition with modernity: while the completely new Astra is reminiscent of earlier Opel icons with small visual reminiscences, it is also a highly modern design gem with an Opel Vizor and a fully digital Pure Panel. In addition, the newcomer, which has also been available from dealers for a month, is being driven electrified as the Astra Hybrid for the first timebefore. Plug-in hybrid provides a system output of 133 kW/180 hp and a strong maximum torque of 360 Newton meters (energy consumption according to WLTP: 1.1 l/100 km, CO 2 emissions 26-24 g/km; each combined ). Organizers of the Hessen-Thüringen Rally can cover up to 60 kilometers (according to WLTP ) emission-free with the Opel Astra Hybrid purely electrically.

All-New Opel Astra Hybrid

!NEW! Oldtimer Grand Prix: Stars of 111 Years of Opel Motorsport

• Under the motto “Corsa, old and yellow“: Special display of Corsa competition cars
• Old models in top condition: Pre-World War I Grand Prix heroes
• In Opel yellow: Touring car stars from the 1960s and 1970s

Under the motto “Corsa, old and yellow: Opel Rekord C „Schwarze Witwe“ from 1968; Opel 10/12 PS Racecar from 1903 and the Opel Corsa D OPC, for the Race Camp in 2009 (from left to right)

Opel and the fabled Nürburgring are inseparable, sharing a long tradition. In 1969 Opel made its comeback to motorsport, following major pre-war racing successes. The Rüsselsheim automaker marked its return by staging its first brand cup at the Nürburgring, organized with the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) during the German Grand Prix meeting. Numerous titles in international and national rallies and touring car championships were to follow.

Opel 10/12 hp: First racecar from 1903

This year Opel is bringing its legendary cars back to the Nürburgring for the 42nd Oldtimer Grand Prix, where the AvD is again the organizer. The Rüsselsheim brand will present 17 competition cars, drawn from over 100 years of motorsport. The oldest vehicle is a 1903 Opel Motorwagen 10/12 PS, and the youngest is a Corsa OPC from the current fourth generation. Classic circuit racing and rallye championship cars from the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Rekord C “Black Widow“, Rallye Kadett, Manta A Irmscher, Ascona B Group 2 and Kadett C GT/E, will also build a bridge between the past and present.

Yellow fleet: Touring cars gathering around the Rekord C „Black Widow“. In the circle from left to right: Opel Ascona A Rallye, 1974; Opel Ascona B i2000, 1979; Opel Kadett C GT/E2 Coupé Group 1, 1977; Opel Commodore B GS/E, 1973; Opel Kadett B, Group 1, 1971 (Anders Kulläng/Bruno Berglund); Opel Kadett C GT/E Coupé Group 4, 1976, Opel Manta A GT/E, Group 2, 1975.

Opel Corsa – Generation of motorsport thrills  

While the new fifth generation Corsa is on the starting blocks for its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October, earlier sporty Corsa variants will be making their own splash at the Nürburgring. In line with this year´s motto “Corsa, old and yellow“, the Corsa A Spider, Corsa A Cup and Corsa A GSi, as well as younger models like the Corsa C Rallye, Corsa Race Camp and the current Corsa OPC, will all be on show.

Familiy reunion: Opel Corsa A 1.3 s for the Junior Cup, 1983; Opel Corsa D OPC, Race Camp, 2009; Opel Corsa A Spider Concept, 1982; Opel Corsa C Super 1600, 2002 (from left to right).

The front-wheel drive, 1982 Corsa A will be accompanied by a spectacular concept. Even before the new compact model was unveiled in the summer of 1982, the Corsa Spider ignited the spark for a sporty version of the model. The four-seat, open Corsa Spider can be transformed into a two-seater or even a monoposto with the help of glass-fiber reinforced plastic body parts. The Spider is equipped with a head restraint in the style of a racing car from the 1950s. However, with its prominent fenders, full-width lights behind a smoked glass panel and pearlescent-white paint finish, the Spider is a typical child of its times.

Opel Corsa A Spider Concept, 1982

The Corsa Cup model made its debut in 1983. The Kadett D and Corsa A actually competed against each other in the ONS Opel Junior Cup, the successor to the Kadett Cup introduced in 1979 for amateur and young racing talent. The Kadett 1.3 had 75 hp, while the Corsa Cup delivered 70 hp. The first races and rallye events were held in 1985, with prize monies totaling 100,000 German marks. The Junior Cup winner received a Corsa 1.3 S at the end of the year. In 1987, a new top-of-the-line Corsa model was introduced: the Corsa A GSi featured a 1.6 liter engine with 101 hp and had a top speed of 186 km/h. It remained in the Corsa line-up until 1992, when the Corsa B generation hit the market.

Opel Corsa A GSi, 1987: 1.6 liter engine with 101 hp and top speed 186 km/h

The Corsa C was introduced in 2000, and the Corsa Super 1600 variant made its debut at the Essen Motor Show the same year. This new rallye Corsa was powered by a 1.6 liter, 16V four-cylinder engine with 200 hp and, like its predecessors, was designed to provide affordable motorsport on asphalt and gravel tracks.

Opel Corsa C Super 1600: Small rallye car from 2002

The current fourth generation Corsa OPC has been available since 2007. With a turbocharged, 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, the sportiest and most extreme Corsa D variant delivers 192 hp. At the Nürburgring in the Opel tent as Corsa OPC and OPC Race Camp versions, it also represents an affordable recipe for motorsport from Opel.

Opel Corsa D OPC: Racecamp 2009

Old – Generation of Opel Grand Prix cars from a bygone age

Three historic Opel racing cars are on display to commemorate the birth of motorsport in Rüsselsheim. The oldest is based on Opel’s first Motorwagen 10/12 PS produced in 1903. That same year, this type of car won the “Light” Class II category (for vehicles up to 10 hp) in an event at the Niederrad horse racing track in Frankfurt, Germany. It was driven by Fritz Opel, with famous Opel driver Carl Jörns, who went on to win 288 races, as his co-driver. The show version of the white 10/12 PS racer has been restored by Opel Classic and is a detailed representation of this historic vehicle from 1903.

The second vehicle is an original Grand Prix car from 1913. This forerunner of today´s Formula One racing cars was state-of-the-art for its period, featuring a 4.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 16 valves (in an inverted V-shaped installation) and an overhead camshaft with vertical-shaft drive.

Just one year younger is the 12.3-liter racing and record-setting car, technically based on the 1913 Grand Prix racer, and also featuring advanced four-valve technology. With its huge engine, this unique 260 hp vehicle marked a pinnacle of development: no other car in Opel history would boast a bigger displacement than this giant racing car from 1914, which made its racing premiere only after World War I had ended. In 1926, Opel officially quit works-supported motorsport.

Yellow – Generation of rallye and circuit racing stars

Opel’s first steps back into motorsport took place clandestinely. On September 15, 1968, a 150 hp Opel Rekord appeared on the grid for a Group 5 touring car race in Zolder, Belgium. Nobody knew at the time that this special Rekord C had been built without the official knowledge of the Opel Management Board – although, unofficially, it had received the greatest possible support from within the company.

The idea of an Opel racing car had originated from the company’s new star designers, Charles “Chuck” Jordan and Anatole Lapine. Under Lapine’s leadership, the Rekord was built in the “Advanced Studio” at Opel’s Rüsselsheim styling center. The goal was to create attention and steer public interest towards new, sporty Opel cars, like the Rallye Kadett and Opel GT. The basis for the racer was a two-door Rekord C 1700 sedan, and its black paintwork and the yellow “Opel Eye” are reminiscent of Opel’s RAK 2 rocket-powered vehicle from the 1920s.

Despite some success, works-supported motorsport was coming to an end. General Motors had become aware of Opel’s clandestine activities and after the season finale, the project was stopped. However, one year later, Opel was allowed to conduct its first official brand cup race. 40 years later, reconstruction of the “Black Widow” was begun by Opel Classic in Rüsselsheim, using the original design specifications and drawings.

In the future, Opel motorsport cars wore yellow, the color of Opel tuners Steinmetz and Irmscher, instead of black. Rallye cars from Rüsselsheim started with yellow-black and yellow-white body colors in the European Championship and national championships on asphalt and gravel tracks. Seven cars exhibited by Opel Classic at the Nürburgring in the new paddock represent this era of Opel motorsport.

The starting point was marked by the Kadett B. In 1970/71, Steinmetz in Rüsselsheim began offering a competition package for the Kadett Rallye 1900. With chassis modifications, changes to interior equipment and the use of a 106 hp engine from the Opel Rekord C Sprint, the Rallye Kadett 1900 Sprint was born. The Swede Anders Kulläng was among the drivers who began their professional careers at the wheel of an Opel Kadett B as part of the Swedish Opel dealer team.

Opel RALLYE Kadett B SPRINT 

The Manta A, prepared by Irmscher, is another “generation yellow” member of the Opel Classic collection. Built to Group 2 racing regulations, the coupé on display is similar to the car driven by professional rallye stars Rauno Aaltonen and Walter Röhrl in 1975 at the Spa 24 hour race in Belgium.

Opel Ascona A Rallye: 1974 European Championship car from Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger 

Also on show is the Ascona A. Technically related to the Manta, it is a legendary star of Opel motorsport. In 1974, Walter Röhrl and co-driver Jochen Berger won the European Rallye Championship in a 206 hp Ascona A entered by the Opel Euro dealer team. The following year, they made history again by winning the Acropolis Rallye in Greece, giving Opel its first victory in a World Championship event. The Ascona´s successor in rallye sport was the Kadett C GT/E which is also part of the Rüsselsheim collection. Its yellow-white sister model, the Kadett C GT/E coupé, had a career in the German Rallye Championship with Achim Warmbold and Willi-Peter Pitz competing in the close-to-production car in Group 1. In 1976, Kadett C GT/E successes in this category secured Opel the Number 2 spot in the Manufacturers World Rallye Championship.

Opel Kadett C GT/E Coupé: 1976 Group 4 car from Walter Röhrl und Jochen Berger

In 1979, the Kadett was replaced by the Ascona B and, for the second time after 1974, an Opel team won the European Rallye Championship. After 17 rounds, Jochi Kleint and his co-driver Gunter Wanger secured the overall title. Their winning car, a 175 hp Opel Ascona i 2000 built to special touring car regulations, was taken straight from the podium to Opel´s historic collection. Restored in the Opel Classic garage, it still bears its original ‘battle scars’ from hard-fought competition on asphalt and gravel while its technology has been carefully re-instated to its original condition.

Opel Ascona B i2000: From Jochi Kleint und Gunter Wanger, 1979

The historic display of Opel competition cars will be completed by a Commodore B GS/E coupé. In 1973, Walter Röhrl and his co-driver Jochen Berger made their debut at the Monte-Carlo Rallye in an identical car from the Irmscher racing team.