Published on: Feb 5, 2016 @ 19:43
Originally Published in: 2015 (old website)
(C) Jay Auger - website owner & author
Notice: Any form of duplication methods (including but not limited to copy/paste of text and screen capture) of the website's content is strictly forbidden.

INTRODUCTION

Brainchild of Tony Fall, the Group 4 Ascona B 400 was developed to replace the Group 1/2 Kadett GT/E and put Opel on top of the international and World Rally Championship (WRC) scenes.

QUICK BROWSE CONTENT

• HISTORY
• RALLY CAR SPECIFICATIONS
• HOMOLOGATION MODEL
• ROAD CAR SPECIFICATIONS
• VIDEOS
• REFERENCES

HISTORY

First shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 1979, the “B 400” variant was an homologation special produced especially to make the Ascona eligible for rallying’s top Group 4 category. It was aimed to compete directly against the Ford Escort RS1800 and Fiat 131 in both national and international rallies. As such, the car featured a traditional chassis paired with rear-wheel drive. Engine specialist Cosworth (which had greatly helped Ford achieve success with their Escort) was given charge of building the engines while specialist Irmscher would take care of the bodywork modifications.

As it was often the norm in racing, the plan was to use the engine from the outgoing rally car, in this case the Kadett GT/E’s 2.0L unit, but these did not produce enough power for Group 4 competition. Therefore, many alterations were made to the engine to fix the output problem; the cylinders were bored out to make use of larger pistons, different connecting-rods, and used the much beefier crankshaft of Opel’s CIH diesel engine.

The new 2420 cc engine gave rise to some massive power outputs while using the Cosworth 16 valve head: in race trim the normally aspirated engines delivered a base power of 230 BHP with a maximum expected output of 340 BHP (albeit with much reduced reliability).

About a year later in 1980, the FISA officially announced the approval of the complete revamp of its regulations which would introduce the new Group B category set to begin in 1982. Not long afterwards in 1981, Audi introduced the quattro which would soon become the Ascona’s fiercest competitor in the WRC.

Furthermore, the second generation of the Ascona was soon to be replaced by a third generation. As such, Opel chose the shift its motorsport branding image to the new second generation of the Manta (the Ascona’s sister car) to build their upcoming Group B machine instead. Both cars would be subsequently developed at the same time.

In 1982, per the transition rules allowed, the Ascona was transferred from Group 4 into Group B. Near the end of the year, Opel would implement a few improvements to the car, also known as “phase 2”, in hopes to retain the competitiveness of the car while the Manta replacement was being finalised. These improvements mainly featured the switch to composite materials for body panels and screens.

The Ascona gave the Audi quattro a good fight in the WRC but fell short of the manufacturers championship. It did however provide Walter Röhrl with his second drivers title. As history would unfold, that would be the last time that a driver won the WRC championship with a rear-wheel drive car, hence securing the Ascona’s spot in motorsport history.

In early 1983, Ari Vatanen would give the Ascona a fairy tale ending with a victory at the Safari Rally, its very last event. For the next rally, Opel had to forcibly retire the Ascona and switch its international Group B rallying efforts to the further improved Manta B 400 (also known as “phase 3”) to retain the eligibility of scoring points in the WRC.

Opel Ascona B 400

Ultimately, the bad timing of its introduction and the infamous engine teething issues prevented the Ascona from achieving a long and successful rally career on the international scene. However, many privateers would continue to rally the car and achieved much success in national events. Today, the car is a mainstay of historic rallies around Europe.

2016 Eifel Rallye Festival copyright: McKlein copyright free for media use

Opel Ascona B400 (3543 × 2362)

Opel Ascona B400 (3543 × 2362)

RALLY CAR SPECIFICATIONS

The following specs are for the “phase 2” Group B version.

HOMOLOGATION VERSION

The “B” stands for the second generation of the model, while the “400” moniker comes from the required units aimed specifically to acquire Group 4 homologation for use in rallying. As such, only 400 of these special two-door Asconas were produced in 1979.

The car featured a few improvements over the normal Ascona production models, more prominently in the basic “phase 1” engine that produced 144 BHP in street trim. The wide arches, body kit, and decals were optional features that were fitted out of factory by German specialist Irmscher.

ROAD CAR SPECIFICATIONS

VIDEOS

REFERENCES

(free delivery worldwide!)

AWIN Affiliates Program – by purchasing books with the links provided here you are also helping to support the Rally Group B Shrine!*

 Group B – The rise and fall of rallying’s wildest cars (English)

 Gruppe B – Aufstieg und Fall der Rallye-Monster (German)

 Group 4 – From Stratos to quattro (English)

 Gruppe 4 – Das Jahrzehnt der Heckschleudern (German)

(C) Article by Jay Auger – website owner, main author & chief editor

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