Beschreibung
LET'S take a look at today's mega cool offering from Martin Howey Classics (Est. 25 years). It is a 1981 Opel Ascona 2. 0 S Berlina. That was the absolute peak of spec on the Ascona B series and they were rare enough in the UK back in the day, let alone now! This lovely old girl has been stored in a garage since 2010 when it was last MoT'd and has covered a genuine 42, 000 miles. The Opel was acquired at new from Blights Motors in Bideford, Devon by a Mr and Mrs Cook They used it as a third car (hence the low milage) and it had never left North Devon until last week.
It looks to have had new copper brake pipes and the bulk of the underside remains in body colour. The original Opel service book is stamped up to 32, 000 miles and every service was done by Blights, the supplying dealer.
It is a two-owner car having been moved on to a family member. During storage, the paintwork suffered. However I have to say that is virtually all surface rust caused by the storage. And what a shame as it was probably still a stunning Ascona Berlina as recently as 2010. Anyway, let that be a lesson to those who store old cars under sheets and blankets where condensation is allowed to penetrate. All the same, it was taken out and driven short distances on a regular basis.
The old girl starts, drives and stops and sounds lovely. It could do with some attention to the front jacking points but, other than that, she seems good. The interior, so typically Opel of the era, is delightful and is the high end Berlina spec. If you know Opel Asconas of the late 70s and early 80s, you will appreciate how rare and sought after they actually are. This would be a tremendously valuable example were the next owner to treat it to the paint job it fully warrants! The front jacking points are the only areas I could find that would benefit from some attention and even they are not that bad.
This description is based on my opinion of the vehicle, the paperwork that comes with the car and anything I have been told about it. The vehicle is 42-years-old and this cannot be taken as a definitive statement for obvious reasons. As with most classic cars, there may be faults and quirks whilst, almost inevitably, some degree of tinkering and care will always be called for. I cannot guarantee that you won't find work once you take the old girl on, such is the nature of the beast. How long is a piece of string? Different classic car owners will always have differing ideas on the level at which they require their vehicle to be. Such are the joys of owning an antique vehicle and they must be taken within their own context and not compared to modern day cars. They are sold as old, mainly out-dated machines and come without any comeback whatsoever. They are my terms and conditions. Viewing is always welcome and then you may form your own opinion as opposed to reading mine. This one is being sold as a project vehicle.
My classic cars are motoring antiques. This car, for example, is 42-years-old and so will have quirks and faults in there somewhere. These are not always apparent when buying and selling classics which is what I do. I do not restore them, nor do I pretend that they are concours cars. The majority of them go out as they came in, and I continue to enjoy finding more - a skill which is becoming increasingly difficult as many of you will be aware. They deserve to be taken on as "family pets" and cared for through thick and then. They don't make them any more and demand now out-strips supply. Please bear all this in mind, and enjoy your classic car. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
I have now been established as a one-man band classic car dealer for 25 years and pride myself on my buying prowess and - due to small margins - my prices which I firmly believe are up there among the very best in the UK classic car marketplace. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
Thanks, Martin. the details below.
