The funky 70´s
In 1971 car number 10.000.000 rolled of the assembly line (a Opel Rekord Caravan) and in Germany Opel had a market share of whopping 20.4%, times where good. In 1969 and 1970 are the top three models, Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat updated to the B series and stayed in production until 1977.
At the same time, the new Ascona and Manta are presented. The Ascona becomes instantly a big success and is made in 3 series (A – C models) up until 1988. The Ascona and the Manta where technically identical but with different bodies. The Manta was a sport coupe and the Ascona was available in a two or four door sedan and a caravan (St. car). The Manta also became a great success and 500.000 units were made. In 1975, both the Ascona and the Manta where updated to the B model, and both remain very successful cars for the family and with ample space for the luggage.
The popular Kadett is in 1973 launched as the C version and is made up until 1979 with a total of 1.701.076 units. The Kadett is a nice supplement to both the Manta and the Ascona, and is available with three different engines, 1.0 L, 1.2 L, and 1.6 L. The body variants are 2-door, 4-door, St. car and a coupé. The coupé became quite popular in motor sport with the fuel injected 1.9 L engine (105 BHP standard). It could also be ordered with a 2.0 L (115 BHP standard) engine. In 1979, the total new and front wheel drive Kadett is launched and it is with better aerodynamic, and it can be ordered with a diesel engine.
New production methods meant that the new and popular Opel Corsa was launched. A new plant was built in Zaragoza in Spain, and quickly the Corsa became the most popular car in its class. The new Kadett was very different from the previous model, and despite of being 13 cm shorter, it was more spacious because of the lack of the drive shaft tunnel and with the engine was mounted sideways (FWD). The D model was sold as a 3-door, 5-door and as St. car. Opel managed to produce 2.000.000 units of the Kadett D with the last one made in 1984.
The Opel Senator, is from 1983, made with the 6 cyl. Engine and also with a more economical 4 cyl. Engine while the aerodynamics are improved. It is also a Senator that leaves the factory as car no. 20.000.000 in the Russelsheim plant. In 1983, the new Rekord E is launched and is available with 6 different engine configurations. 4 of the engine sizes are between 1.8 and 2.0 liter, one is a 2.2-liter version with electronic injection, and the last is the 2.3-liter 65 bhp diesel engine.
In 1980 a new car, the Opel Monza (a large 2-door coupe), is launched. It is available with 5 different engine configuration and one is the 3.0-liter 177 bhp. engine. The Monza was not a big success and only 16.594 unit where made.