'80 Opel Ascona B 2-door *UPDATED - Now lowered

4x100



The BBS RMs will be going in the bin (not literally) when the nice weather comes. If I do stay with BBS I have a couple of nice sets of BBS RS 001s to play with; far superior. Just need to get some wider outer rims for them. However, I'm thinking of putting my 7.5x13" PLS Hockenheim split rims on for next summer

I was just playing with the Mattigs. I am saving them for my future track day Ascona project. I could easily stop them from rubbing by changing the front tyres for 195s and rolling the arches.

I did consider 'bagging it', but the thought of the weighty compressor and tank puts me off, plus I'd sooner throw the money at the engine The current front springs are fine, I just need some rear springs making up. I'll definitely give South Yorkshire Springs a try when I'm ready. Do you have contact details for them?

I still can't get over this car. So clean. Its freakin ACE!!!! And I love the story behind it too, all the impulse Ebay buy/get a passport/drive to germany in a fugging Mini to pick it up carry on. Next time i'm in Crewe i'll defo have a look along (if thats OK Asconadaz...!)

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

Mr_B you are of course welcome to pop 'round next time your in this neck of the woods.

Time for a quick update. I've been hatching plans and gathering parts.

I will not make any alterations until after C.A.R.S. but then it will be game on! I will be binning the standard torque tube back axle in favour of the much stronger Commodore GS/E item I have (this was NOT removed from the Commodore I recently purchased, I already had this one). It has an LSD as standard and will be 6-linked. This will mean a change in PCD from 4x100 to 5x120 so I was forced to source new wheels. 8x16" Zender Turbos infact.



They will be getting a good polish before they find their way on to the car though.

This morning, my coilovers finally arrived. They are nice new Leda items that have been valved to suit my application. They will allow me to run a couple of inches lower at the rear but should also remove some of the harshness I suffer with the springs/dampers currently fitted. The front coilovers will be ordered when my bank balance has recovered from buying this pair, and I have decided which engine to plumb for.



I will be ordering the springs next week, so I may be tempted to fit them before the other modifications. The Ascona is still my daily driver until the Commodore hits the road sometime in the next few weeks.

I have a few engine options that I'm weighing up, but I'm keeping shtum until I make a purchase, just in case I change my mind again

I've also bought a fibreglass boot lid with the Ascona 400 type duck-tail spoiler. I'm not convinced about the spoiler, but it's integral to the boot lid and I'm looking to shed some weight for the post-C.A.R.S. refit. I'll see how it looks before committing to it.

Apart from a service, which is due within the next couple of weeks, and a few winter stone chips that I need to sort out, that's about it for now. The appearance shouldn't change before C.A.R.S. although I may get the BBS refurbished as they're looking a little grotty.

The latest pic.

When i lived in Germany many moons ago my cousin had a 2 door Ascona which was painted half black and half white ( it actually looked very smart- honest!). It too was lowered with stiffened suspension, God that car used to jar, I'm lucky ive still got my own teeth!!
Your car looks fantastic and proves that you don't need to butcher a car to create a headturner.
When you think of a lime green car you immediately think of snot yet on your car it looks so right that you would question the wisdom of choosing any other colour.
Your skill and eye for detail speak volumes through that car, take a bow mate, you deserve it!

Yes, but how you bought it was genius

My friend your honesty is refreshing, and i now hold you in very high esteem

My springs for the coilovers came this morning, so I wasted no time in getting them fitted to the Ascona and winding it down at the rear a little ;D

I haven't measure the overall drop yet, but I'm estimating that the overall drop is in the order of LOADS!!! ;D

A few problems have reared their head as a result. The trailing arms for the axle now hit the floor pan. The torque tube also hits the floor pan. The exhaust is firmly clamped between the panhard rod and the floor pan. I have solutions to all of these problems, and it doesn't involve raising the suspension.

I will need to seam weld the rear arches and brace them before I put it to any serious use.

Another small job that had been irritating me was the hole left by the removal of the radio. I have now fitted a blank over this. I do have a nice Nackamichi CD player that I was going to fit, but I don't think I will bother now.

Anyway, here are the pics.

christ on a bike daz , can this car get any cooler