In the late 1970s the Commodore C model was made as a two-door version (as was the Rekord E1), but still as a sedan type car.

The internals consisted of parts mainly borrowed from the Rekord E1 and later the E2, which meant cloth seats, and much plastic on the dashboard and inner doors.

The three-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission from the Commodore range needed to be modified to cope with the new and improved power outputs.

The cars all were marked as "S" models on the front wings, and came with 15-inch Ronal alloy wheels and a 45% limited slip differential Four well-sized adults had plenty of space.

The rear lights were the same and the orange front indicators were now clear glass, giving a much more modern look to the car.

This meant introducing both the inline four-cylinder CIH 2.0E engine from the Rekord E2 (replaced by the torquier 2.2 in October 1984).

The cars now came with more luxurious interior, electrically controlled side mirrors and even an on-board computer, recording fuel consumption, speed and range.

The launch of the A2 in the UK saw the demise of the Vauxhall Royale Coupe, which had been sold alongside the Monza, resulting in only the Opel model being available on the market.

The Royale was disparagingly described by Autocar as "an effeminate, frilly, titivated version of the [Monza] with fussy wheels and an unpleasant (often pastel-shaded) velour-smothered interior".

[3] The last incarnation of the Monza was the GSE edition in mid-1983;[2] basically the A2 car, but a high-specification model which had Recaro sports seats, digital LCD instruments, firmer suspension, the Getrag five-speed manual transmission, an enhanced all-black interior, and a small boot spoiler.

Also GSE models are equipped with a 40% limited slip differential, an addition that had to be ordered separately on earlier 3.0E cars when purchasing.

There was no direct Monza replacement, although the idea of a large Opel/Vauxhall sporting car was carried on in the Lotus Carlton/Lotus Omega saloon.

[8] In Brazil and Venezuela, a version of the Opel Ascona C was sold as the Chevrolet Monza, which featured a three-door fastback body unique to Latin America.

[12][14] Chief designer Ed Welburn of General Motors said "The gullwing doors will go into production and concept".