Built by Gerard O'Connell with full build documentation available
2.0 litre 16v C20XE engine with 255bhp and dry sump system
Sadev sequential gearbox and Omex management system
Signed by five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae
Registered in Ireland
Previously FIA certified.
The Appeal
Introduced in 1979, the Opel Ascona 400 was a testament to how focused Opel could truly be. This was a car practically built for rally championships. It quickly began gathering trophies, and captured the 1982 World Rally Championship (WRC) with driver Walter Röhrl, while Jimmy McRae took it to five British Rally Championship titles throughout the 80s. The lightweight chassis, hefty 2.4-litre powerplant and agile handling became something of a legend.
This particular example is a meticulously built homage to those glory days, constructed by Gerard O'Connell and Stephen Nevin with careful attention to detail. This purpose-built rally machine features a potent C20XE engine, professional-grade Sadev sequential gearbox, and competition-spec chassis modifications throughout.
As it's only participated in a single hillclimb event since its completion, this Ascona 400R is vanishingly rare opportunity - to get behind the wheel of what is essentially a fresh competition vehicle with impressive credentials.
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