Back in the early 1980s, Opel, Irmscher and Cosworth created the Ascona 400, an Ascona B-based rally car that scored four WRC wins in an era dominated by Fiat, Audi and Lancia. Three of them were obtained with two legendary drivers behind the steering wheel - Walter Rohrl and Ari Vatanen - a fact that basically introduces the Ascona 400 into the World Rally Championship hall of fame.
These vehicles are still being raced by rally enthusiasts around Europe during events that probably attract larger crowds when compared to modern WRC stages. And for good reason we may add. Unfortunately, these old racers get moody at times, which makes them quite difficult in wet conditions.
Although we’re not talking about a Group B rally car, the Opel Ascona you’re about to see below (probably not even an original Ascona 400) failed to take a right turn and “plunged” into a brick wall, tearing it down quicker than an overjoyed Berliner with a hammer. Fortunately enough, the driver and his co-driver got out of the car unscathed, despite the huge wall of bricks that smashed the vehicle’s front end. Watch the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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