The Opel Monza was an executive fastback coupé built by Opel from 1977 to 1986 and sold in Britain as the Vauxhall Royale Coupé. With its 3.0-litre six it was the fastest car Opel had built up to then, with a top speed of 215 km/h.
Opel Monza at a glance
| Maker | Adam Opel AG, Rüsselsheim |
|---|---|
| Production | 1977–1986 |
| Class | executive fastback coupé |
| Monza A1 | 1977–1982 |
| Monza A2 | 1982–1986 |
| Engines A1 | 2.5E, 2.8S, 3.0S and 3.0E |
| 3.0E A1 | 180 bhp, 248 Nm |
| Top speed | 215 km/h, 0–100 km/h in 8.2 s |
| Gearboxes | Getrag four-speed, later five-speed manuals; three-speed automatic |
| Drag coefficient | 0.40, cut to 0.35 with the A2 |
| British name | Vauxhall Royale Coupé |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Opel Monza.
History of the Opel Monza
A successor to the Commodore Coupé
The Monza was planned to replace the Commodore Coupé. Opel wanted a new version of its large luxury coupé, and work began in 1976, with the first cars on sale in 1978. The rivals it was designed against were the Mercedes-Benz C123 coupé, later the C124, and the BMW 6 Series. Inside there was plenty of space for the class and the seats were upmarket, though much of the running gear came from the Rekord E1 and E2, which meant cloth seats, a plastic dashboard and instruments taken directly from the Rekord.
Engines and gearboxes
The A1 range had the 3.0S, 2.8S, the new 3.0E and later the 2.5E, all overhead-cam sixes with a reputation for reliability. The 3.0 with fuel injection gave 180 bhp and 248 Nm. The three-speed Borg Warner automatic from the Commodore had to be modified for the new power, and Opel’s own four-speed manuals were not up to the job, so the early cars used a Getrag 264 four-speed until the Getrag 240 and 265 five-speeds took over. The Monza shared its layout with the Senator A1 and handled well thanks to MacPherson struts at the front, as on the Rekord E, and a new independent rear suspension that gave soft but firm behaviour and good stability for such a large car.
Trims and the A2
Opel offered a “C” package with extra instruments for oil pressure and volts and an interior in red, dark blue, green or brown, and an “S” sports package with 15-inch Ronal alloy wheels, a 45 per cent limited-slip differential and S badges on the front wings. Four adults had plenty of room, the boot was large and the rear seats folded. Even so, the A1 was not a great sales success, although it was relatively cheap, and with the 3.0 it reached 215 km/h and 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds.
In 1982 the Monza was facelifted as the A2, together with the Rekord and Senator. The headlights grew, the front became more streamlined and drag fell from 0.40 to 0.35, while the chrome was replaced by matt black and plastic, with bumpers like the Manta’s. Rising fuel prices brought a four-cylinder 2.0E from the Rekord E2, replaced in October 1984 by a torquier 2.2, but with 115 PS in a car weighing almost 1,400 kg they were considered underpowered and sold poorly. The 2.5E gained a new Bosch injection system for 136 to 140 PS, the 2.8S was dropped and the 3.0E stayed at the top with improved injection and better fuel consumption. The A2 also brought a more luxurious interior, electric mirrors and an on-board computer showing fuel consumption, speed and range.
Design and features
- 215 km/h: the fastest Opel ever built when it appeared, with the 3.0-litre six.
- Independent rear suspension: a big coupé that handled better than its size suggested.
- Getrag gearboxes: five-speed manuals that replaced Opel’s own four-speed units.
- Slippery A2: the 1982 facelift cut drag from 0.40 to 0.35.
Opel Monza versions
- Monza A1 (1977): 2.5E, 2.8S, 3.0S and 3.0E.
- C package: extra instruments and coloured interiors.
- S package: 15-inch Ronal wheels and a limited-slip differential.
- Monza A2 (1982): new front, matt black trim and a 2.0E four-cylinder.
- Vauxhall Royale Coupé: the British version, dropped when the A2 arrived.
The Monza shared its platform with the Senator and replaced the Commodore coupé. More cars are in the Opel collection.
Video: Opel Monza A
Video by Truckerfighter on YouTube.
Sources
- Opel Monza, English Wikipedia: development, engines, trims, A2 facelift
