The Ascona was introduced in September 1970, lasting for 18 years and 3 generations and ended production in August 1988, to be replaced by the Opel Vectra A.

The second and third generations of the Ascona were developed as global platforms by Opel's then parent General Motors, with various derivative versions manufactured by other GM divisions around the world.

Even with this simple design, the Ascona 1.9 SR had a successful career in motorsports, with Walter Röhrl winning the European Rally Championship in 1974.

Tuner Steinmetz developed a special version of the Ascona SR, with two single-barrel Solex carburettors, raising power to 125 PS (92 kW).

All Opels sold in the US in 1975 were equipped with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, not available on the European versions, to comply with stricter US emissions requirements.

The compression ratio was dropped to 7.6:1, enabling the car to run on 91-octane unleaded gasoline but also lowering maximum power to 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) at 4800 rpm.

[4] By the end of 1978 the 1.6 S engine was discontinued in Germany (where it was replaced by the 19N, with the same power but lower fuel consumption), but continued to be available in some markets in a somewhat detuned version with 70 PS (51 kW).

This largely replaced the old 1.2-litre pushrod unit which dated back to 1962, but production continued in dwindling numbers into 1980 for some export markets.

[5] In September 1979 the Ascona received a minor facelift, including plastic bumpers and a grey front grille with a larger mesh.

The 2.0 E engine with a Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection arrived in January 1980, after having been first installed in the Manta and Rekord models.

The front ends were different, featuring Vauxhall's trademark "droop snoot", as designed by Wayne Cherry.

It was available in De Luxe or S trim, with the S receiving a sportier treatment with a three-spoke steering wheel, tartan seat inserts, and Rostyle rims.

[8] First shown at Frankfurt in September 1979, the Ascona 400 was a homologation special sold only to make it eligible for rallying's Group 4 category.

The street versions of the 400 therefore came with 144 hp (107 kW) engines, using the Bosch fuel injection of the Manta GSi and GT/E series.

The Ascona 400 was the last rear wheel drive rally car to win the drivers' world championship, ensuring its place in motorsports history.

This car was manufactured in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Antwerp, Belgium, São Caetano do Sul, Brazil and Luton, England, and was sold in the UK under the name Vauxhall Cavalier and as the Chevrolet Monza in Latin America.

The new Ascona no longer had the sporty character of its predecessors, being a more unadulterated family car which was considerably more space-efficient than earlier models.

The range added an option of a five-door fastback/hatchback Bodystyle, named CC in a few markets — short for "Combi Coupé."

The hatchback model was shorter than the saloons, with a marginally smaller luggage compartment and 5 cm (2.0 in) less headspace in the backseat.

[27] The Monza received a number of facelifts, the last one bringing its looks in line with those of current European GM products, with new fenders front and rear to accommodate new head and taillights.

[citation needed] The Monza first went on sale in Colombia in 1985 in a 4-door saloon body style, assembled locally by GM Colmotores.

In Colombia, a top of the line saloon version was sold from 1987 to 1992 as the Monza Classic with a three-speed automatic transmission.