---
title: 'Opel Ascona B Project'
url: 'https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects/1978-opel-ascona'
markdown: 'https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects/1978-opel-ascona.md'
date: '2006-08-25'
description: "Opel Ascona B Project I restored and drove this fine vehicle for a couple of years, but decided to sell it in 2004 when I started uni as I was going to be skint for three years and I didn't want to neglect it. It went to another retro nut, who has taken it even further with vinyl graphics and more …"
---

# Opel Ascona B Project

# Opel Ascona B Project

I restored and drove this fine vehicle for a couple of years, but decided to sell it in 2004 when I started uni as I was going to be skint for three years and I didn't want to neglect it. It went to another retro nut, who has taken it even further with vinyl graphics and more mods :)

I miss this car dearly, even when it always had a flat battery because it didn't have a "lights on" warning buzzer. And I miss scraping the front arches every time I went round a corner, and the noise, and the stress of finding LRP. And the rust.

[More pictures ](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/1978-opel-ascona/opel-ascona-pictures/)

[Build diary](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/1978-opel-ascona/ascona-build-diary/)

[![1978 opel ascona b 059](opel_ascona_059.jpg)](opel_ascona_059.jpg)

[![1978 opel ascona b 060](opel_ascona_060.jpg)](opel_ascona_060.jpg)

[![1978 opel ascona b 064](opel_ascona_064.jpg)](opel_ascona_064.jpg)

## Engine & drivetrain

120bhp rebuilt 2.0S engine Twin choke Weber K&N Proper Braided hoses 5 speed box Back axle off a 1.8 Manta Viscous coupled fan

## Suspension

70mm drop Jamex springs - AKA too low to get a jack under Gabriel shocks

## Brakes

Grooved disks Reconditioned twinpot calipers Mintex road pads (Tried 1144 compound but they squealed) Goodridge braided hoses Rear drum brakes all replaced

## Interior

Standard retro seats and dash Custom Solutions ally window winders Momo Ally and leather gearnob

## Bodywork

Bumpers removed Side mouldings, pins, badges etc removed Rear door handles smoothed Passenger side delocked Chrome trims removed from gutters Windscreen dechromed Aerial hole smoothed Headlight washer and spotlight wiring removed Toad transponder Immobiliser Clear front indicators Front grille dechromed

## Future Plans

None, as the Opel has now gone to a new home *sob*

Most of the work on the car was done by Clive from Custom Solutions and Edley from Fast and Funky motors. This car cost me a lot of money as I replaced nearly everything on it as the original stuff was;

(a) 25 years old (b) crap anyway.

---

## Navigation

- Parent: [Projects](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects.md)
- Previous: [BMW e28 Project](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects/bmw-e28-project.md)
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- Children:
  - [Opel Ascona B build diary](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects/1978-opel-ascona/ascona-build-diary.md)
  - [Opel Ascona Pictures](https://www.nick-hayward.co.uk/projects/1978-opel-ascona/opel-ascona-pictures.md)

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