Opel once had its own British dealer network and sold a fascinating range of sporting coupés, rally homologation specials, executive cars and rear-wheel-drive family models. Many are now far rarer in the UK than their Ford, Vauxhall or BMW contemporaries.
This hub brings together our detailed guides to rare and performance Opel cars officially offered in Britain. Each guide covers UK-market history, specifications, common problems, originality checks and practical buying advice.
Rare and performance Opel model guides
Opel Ascona A 1.9 SR
The understated 90hp sporting saloon with rear-wheel drive and championship-winning rally heritage, now exceptionally scarce in Britain.
Opel Ascona 400
The homologation special that took Opel to the 1982 World Rally Championship. Explore its Cosworth-developed engine, UK history and what to check before buying.
Opel Commodore A GS/E
A sophisticated 150PS fuel-injected straight-six grand tourer that offered British buyers a rare continental alternative.
Opel Commodore B GS/E
A fuel-injected straight-six grand tourer that challenged BMW and Ford. Read about specifications, corrosion, rare parts and UK-market history.
Opel GT 1900
The curvaceous “baby Corvette” officially reached Britain in tiny numbers. Discover its specifications, rotating headlamps, rust problems and buying advice.
Opel Kadett C GT/E
A lightweight rear-wheel-drive performance Kadett with competition credibility. Our guide explains UK rarity, specifications, common faults and originality checks.
Opel Kadett D
Opel’s first front-wheel-drive compact reached UK showrooms before the Vauxhall Astra and is now a remarkable rarity.
Opel Manta A, B, GT/E & 400
From the original Manta A to the GT/E, GSi and homologation-built 400, this guide covers the complete UK-market story and buying checks.
Opel Manta i200
The UK-market Irmscher special: tuned 2.0-litre engine, rally-derived identity and the details needed to separate a genuine i200 from a replica.
Opel Monza GSE
A long-legged 3.0-litre straight-six fastback with Recaros and a digital dashboard—one of the most distinctive UK-market Opels.
Opel Rekord C Sprint Coupé
A stylish late-1960s coupé with twin carburettors, 106PS and serious rarity; learn how to assess rust, identity and scarce trim.
Opel Rekord D 2100D
Opel’s first diesel passenger car: slow, durable, officially offered in Britain and now almost vanished from UK roads.
Opel Rekord E1
The forgotten Opel sold alongside the Vauxhall Carlton, with rear-wheel drive, simple CIH engines and a major corrosion risk.
Opel Senator A2 3.0E
Opel’s brief UK-market executive flagship before the Vauxhall badge took over, powered by a smooth 3.0-litre straight six.
Why Opel matters in Britain
For much of the post-war period, Opel and Vauxhall were separate General Motors brands with their own ranges and identities. Opel established a British dealer presence and offered cars including the Kadett, Ascona, Manta, Commodore, Rekord, Senator and GT. Rationalisation later pushed Opel out of the UK passenger-car market, leaving its rarer British-market models without the recognition enjoyed by equivalent Fords, Vauxhalls and BMWs.
That makes the best surviving Opels ideal for the Rare & Forgotten Cars collection: familiar enough to evoke memories, uncommon enough to deserve proper documentation, and often far more capable than their low profile suggests.
Return to the complete Rare & Forgotten Cars manufacturer hub.
ALSO …
Opel Rekord E1: UK History, Specifications, Common Problems and Buying Guide
Opel Rekord C Sprint Coupé: UK History, Specifications and Buying Guide
Opel Manta i200: UK History, Specifications, Authenticity and Buying Guide
Opel Kadett C GT/E: UK History, Specifications, Common Problems and Buying Guide