Opel Monza GSE 1985 executive fastback & rally favourite | Season 3 – Episode 19
Wheels Apr 04, 2023
The Opel Monza, an executive fastback coupe designed by George Gallion, was produced by Opel from 1977 to 1986 to compete with coupes from luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar.
In 2015, Edward Connally bought his 1985 Opel Monza GSE from a collector at a show near Dublin airport. This Monza was originally used by GM Ireland, Belgard Road, Tallaght as a management car.
In 1982 the second-generation Monza had updated bumpers, a luxurious interior, halogen fog lamps, headlight wipers and was the first production car with a digital dashboard.
The Monza GSE had premium features like Recaro sports seats, digital LCD instruments, a small boot spoiler, Getrag five-speed manual transmission, firmer suspension and a 40% limited slip differential. Its 3-liter engine produced 180 horsepower, accelerating to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and maxing at 215 km/h, making it the fastest Opel at the time.
In his eight years of ownership Edward’s Monza has required minimal repairs such as a new fuel filter and tire replacement three years ago. He enjoys long country drives from Dublin, achieving over 30 mpg, with a high of 32 mpg on a summer trip to Portlaoise. According to Edward, “motorways are best, it’s an excellent cruiser for the motorways.”
In Ireland’s 1987 Circuit of Ireland rally, an Opel Monza GSi driven by Austin MacHale placed fifth. The Monza was discontinued in 1986 without a successor. In recent years a concept car also called the Monza has been talked about……
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