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Opel
General information about the model:
Record, Ascona, Kadett: With its reliable people's cars, Opel was often more successful than VW in the 1970s.
But the people of Rüsselsheim could also have luxury: As the successor to the Dickschif series KAD (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat), the manufacturer launched its new top models Senator and Monza in 1978.
At that time, Opel wanted to get involved in the luxury class of automobiles. But with the luxury sedans, the somewhat staid Senator had a hard time against the Mercedes S-Class or the BMW 7 Series. On the other hand, the three-door Monza, the elegant sports coupé variant, was a visual hit. Stylish today would probably be said of the finely drawn Fastback with the large, glass tailgate. It came in handy that Ford had just discontinued the coupé version of the Granada. VW or Audi also had nothing comparable in their program. Only BMW offered a real upper-class coupé with the 6 Series (E24), the Mercedes SEC (C126) did not come out until 1981.
Opel's highlight: the solid mass production technology from Senator and Monza came largely from the mid-range model Rekord E, the modular principle reduced production costs. Senator and Monza were the first Opel models to have independent rear suspension (the KAD series ran on rigid axles). Coupled with sophisticated in-line six-cylinder engines, the buyers were delighted with a completely new driving experience. The thirsty 2.5 E with 136 hp, however, was unpopular. The top model 3.0E with 180 hp and a top speed of 215 km / h was much better suited to the luxury class.
The equipment of a Monza was impressive for an Opel.
Tachometer, central locking or steering wheel height adjustment were available from the factory.
Air conditioning, automatic transmission or leather seats were also available for an extra charge.
Much better and pure seventies, however, are the plush velor seats, for example in dignified red or green.
1983 saw the model upgrade for Senator and Monza, plastic elements replaced the baroque chrome parts - for example on the bumpers.
The new continuous strip of lights at the rear of the Monza and Senator A2 was better received by many fans.
The optional on-board computer and the spacey digital speedometer, also known as the “mouse cinema”, were downright innovative.
A four-cylinder from the record supplemented the engine range for the Monza A2.
In addition to the 3.0 E with 180 hp, Opel also offered a 3.0i with a three-way catalytic converter and 156 hp from 1985.
The sporty Monza GSE with standard three-liter engine, Recaro sports seats, two centimeters lowering, a firmer chassis and other extras is in great demand today.
The Monza Cabriolet, which the auto tuner Keinath built in the 1980s, remained a small series: 144 copies with the roof cut off are said to have been made at the time.
1986 was the end of production for the Monza.
From 1989 Opel's new sports coupé was called Calibra.
But that was a mid-range car, derived from the Vectra.
Why that of all people?
Opel's best-known sports coupé is the Manta B, but its reputation ruined stokers and proletarians. The noble Monza, on the other hand, is almost forgotten. The Beau was the star at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1977. Today, not a few say that it was the most beautiful car that Opel has ever built. "It is a timeless, elegant coupé that is second to none," says Dirk Lating from Metelen in North Rhine-Westphalia - also known in the scene as "Monzaguhru" (yes, "with an h"). The 52-year-old has been driving an Opel Monza for 30 years and invites every year to the big type meeting of the old Opel rear-wheel drive Monza, Senator, Rekord and Commodore.
Classically designed coupés have generally become rare on the streets.
Nowadays, what many consider to be the most elegant vehicle shape is often mixed up: The Gran Coupé from BMW has four doors like a sedan.
And Mercedes even calls the fat, over two-ton SUV GLE a coupé.
In contrast, such a Monza is downright filigree, although it was once high-end, at least by Opel standards.
And because it is largely identical to the Senator, the three-door with four seats is also wonderfully suitable for everyday use.
There is ample space in the interior and in the trunk.
"If you fold down the rear seats, you can even transport a washing machine on the huge loading area or sleep on it," says Lating, who runs a large spare parts warehouse for Monza, Senator and Co. in Metelen.
If you have the choice, don't take a Monza with a four-cylinder, but rather the large in-line six-cylinder with 180 hp.
Opel's old CIH cast iron blocks last practically forever.
Whether A1 or A2 is a matter of taste: The first model generation impresses with chrome jewelry and plush armchairs like in grandma's living room.
The A2 is typically eighties, the "mouse cinema" in the speedometer is cult in itself.
Important: It should be a five-speed manual transmission and not an automatic, old Opel drivers - unlike Mercedes drivers - prefer to change gear themselves.
Availability:
Despite their qualities, the Opel Monza and Senator didn't really sell well.
Well-preserved veterans are rare today, but they can be found.
Yes, the Monza can even be found more often in the used car portals than the Senator - also because a number of sedans were slaughtered to upgrade or rebuild the coupés.
It may also be worth taking a look at Great Britain, where Vauxhall sold the Monza as a Royale Coupé.
Spare parts supply:
You don't need to drive to Opel if you have a problem with spare parts.
The brand cares little about its classics.
The old Opel scene is all the more active.
Common wearing parts for the Monza are available without any problems thanks to the Senator and Rekord relationship, for example in the accessories market.
Specialists who have bought up remaining stocks help with sheet metal components, interiors and ornaments that have become rare.
Or you can ask forums and clubs.
Spare part prices (exemplary):
Brake line set: approx. 60 euros
Repair sheet end tip: approx. 70 euros
Rear light: approx. 100 euros
Original exhaust muffler: approx. 200 euros
Weak points:
Rust is the main problem with Opel's old flagships, but that also applies to contemporary Mercedes.
The neuralgic point at Senator and Monza are the strut domes.
They were constructed too soft.
With age, the front suspension collapses, weakened by corrosion.
Sills, end tips, wheel arches, lower door edges and the corners behind the headlights often bumble.
If the tailgate on the Monza only remains open with a broomstick as a support, the gas pressure dampers are gone.
In the interior, sunlight can tear the dashboards, replacements are rare.
The technology is considered solid and screwdriver-friendly, the CIH motors can last several hundred thousand kilometers with normal maintenance.
Caution is advised with tuned / tinkered copies, even in front of the Monza Opel's lower-wider-faster group did not stop.
Price:
Road-ready construction sites are available from around 3000 euros.
Ordinary specimens with an H license plate can be found from 6000 euros.
Well-maintained three-liter six-cylinder and particularly good Monza GSE are now steeply in the five-digit range.
Contact points on the Internet:
opel-hecktriebler-forum.de
senator-monza.de
monzaguhru.de
senatorman.de
alt-opel.eu
