75 Ascona "Project"

[stock77]

I have been trying to do a little work to my wife's Ascona as we decided that it would be our only "old" project car.

My wife Melanie recieved her Ascona as a first car/graduation present back in 1994. She/we have owned it ever since. The car was in pretty solid shape but has seen its share of wear and tear over the years. Recently we decided to make a go of her Opel as a "project."

We had the fellows at OGTS build us a new 2.0L motor and also had the TH180 rebuilt locally. Gil also sold me a pair of Recaros and brackets/sliders.

Some new springs and shocks as well as wheels and tires round out our progress so far. There is still a list of things to accomplish some sooner some later, including a little bit of surface rust repair under the hood and trunk lid.

We hope to have it all complete for the Tacoma/National Show this year.

I have attached pictures of the car in question, the new motor and a couple of progress shots of the wheels, etc. Hope you all like them...

[stock77]

Here are a few more pictures of the Ascona and even two of my poor Rabbit that had to get sold as part of this project...

Also, thanks to Gil/OGTS for his help and to Rally Bob for answering a few of my Opel Newbie questions...

[BQS4]

Great job thus far. I have 2 Sportwagons, on the road, one is my wife's and my 75 Sportwagon. Like your's, I have the ATS rims, they really look good on the Opels. I also have a third Sportwagon, the same signal blue as your sedan. Sedans are harder to find than the Wagons, so keep her on the road!

[MantAscona]

Excellent job on the Ascona so far, it really looks good. I'm diggin' the Rabbit too, it's a shame you had to part with it. Keep us posted on your progress. It's always good to see another Ascona sedan being saved.

Duane

[Phoenix]

Nice choice! Ascona 2DR. Love em, want one. Love the ATS Classics. GTE Recaros, just like I have for my Manta. It's really great to see a signal blue car too, so many cars get repainted and colors like this get lost. Would love to see it in person.

[stock77]

Thanks for the compliments.

I had been pretty burned out on the early watercooled VW scene and my very original bodied 1977 Rabbit had long since been claimed by a Ford Explorer, so I turned that Rabbit shell over to a friend. I guess most of all I will miss the motor that my brother and I built. It made pretty good power.

In the end, I figured that my wife's Opel was way more rare and still has the original paint on it, etc. It has renewed my car passion a little and made me feel like a newbie again! Besides, when it is the wife's car, the budget can be bigger and will get approved by the "boss."

We are looking forward to having the car in daily driver condition so that we can participate in some of the local euro car events as well as the Opel show.

[74Opel1900]

Is that a locking gas cap you have on your car? If so, where did you get it?

[stock77]

74Opel1900,

If I am not mistaken my wife got that locking gas cap long ago at a generic auto parts store. It isn't particularly nice up close, but it does function.

I got a Volvo locker from Gil at OGTS but it is going to take some minor modification to fit properly. It looks nicer than the unit that is on there now. My wife lost two original paint matched non locking caps to theft... .

Theo

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by stock77 74Opel1900, If I am not mistaken my wife got that locking gas cap long ago at a generic auto parts store. It isn't particularly nice up close, but it does function. I got a Volvo locker from Gil at OGTS but it is going to take some minor modification to fit properly. It looks nicer than the unit that is on there now. My wife lost two original paint matched non locking caps to theft... . Theo

Theo;
Pictured below is the correct Manta/Ascona locking gas cap. They show up on the German Ebay a lot, and every now and then on Ebay

[stock77]

Just thought I would update this thread....

My current progress: The motor and trans are back together and in the car, I did some cleaning/polishing to various items and cleaned up the engine compartment a little bit. I installed the Recaros and they went in very easily and look real nice. I also tested out some wet sanding on the trunk and the stock paint has responded very well.

I have a acquired a few more odds and ends and even found a few parts I forgot we had in storage.

BQS4: I found two locking gas caps in our storage unit, so now I just need to get some keys done and they will both be fully functional.

I will post new pictures soon. For now I'll just add a random Ascona for everyone's viewing pleasure. Thanks for viewing our little project.

Theo

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by stock77 BQS4: I found two locking gas caps in our storage unit, so now I just need to get some keys done and they will both be fully functional.

Theo;
You might want to send your caps to Keith Lundholm in Cookeville, TN. He has the cutter as well as the codes.
Keep us posted on your progress and more pictures please!

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Theo; Pictured below is the correct Manta/Ascona locking gas cap. They show up on the German Ebay a lot, and every now and then on Ebay

. . . . righty-oh, had an NOS one myself a few years ago, but gave it to Charles . . . a bit before I bought my "new" '75 Ascona. Was glad to help out at the time, never thought I'd ever own one . . . for that matter, never thought I'd own a Kadett either, but just look at me now!

[stock77]

Well, I went out and took a few pics. My photography skills are not very good. Wait, what am I saying, I actually don't have any photo skills at all.

Anyway, here are the pictures, including the gas caps...

Lots more work to do, but mounting the motor and the other progress was worth some pictures.

[stock77]

Now for a few shots of the Ascona from the early 90's when my wife became pretty much the 2nd owner. (First owner passed car to son who stored the car while in the military.)

So I just snapped some shots of the pictures she has in an album, I think we will scan these later. I have to apologize to the wife for throwing her under the bus and posting the old high school pics.

On to these "special" pictures...

[DennisGardiner]

Nothing like 'History' to make the car yours.

Good Job.

[David McCollam]

The only issue with the keys for the locking gas caps is that they are a different profile from the ignition lock keys. You need to have the specific cap key blanks. There is a Volvo key profile that is similar. I also think that I have (had) some specific blanks. I will look.

Dave

[stock77]

Locking gas caps on all of the older VW's I have been around are the same, different keys/blanks than the ignition/doors. That part is clear to me. It is getting the blanks or similar blanks that I have questions about.

My question is how do I get in touch with someone that has the blanks, etc?

I have previously heard one name thrown out (Keith Lundholm) but don't know if that person has a business or how to contact him. I assume that I can try to find his screen name and send him an unsolicited instant message on this site.

And now David McCollam has stated that he may have a blank(s). Thanks for the offer to look by the way, it is much appreciated.

Anyways, enlighten me on the path to factory Opel locking gas cap keys... If I had a blank could I just have a key cut locally by someone? Does it require something more specific?

[David McCollam]

Key blanks can be cut if you have an original key pattern from which to work. If not, you may find a good locksmith who can do a lock impression. If the lock has been sprayed with silicone or some other lube, this can inhibit the ability to impress the lock.

The blanks are not typical in the US. Canada possibly, or maybe the UK. The blanks I got were special order and cost $50 for the bunch. They were $5 a piece with a minimum order of 10. If I have some spare blanks I will contact you, that is no guaranty of them matching the profile of your caps, but at least we can start there. You might locate a locksmith locally and have that person give impressing a try.

I will get back to you. Keith is also known as Opelsyder on the site.

Dave

[stock77]

Thanks for the additional info, it is appreciated.

I have a friend who has a locksmith/security business and he would be willing to have a look, so I will contact him as well.

Thanks again for the various bits of advice from everyone. I have these bits of knowledge about VW's that I take for granted, but it comes a lot harder for me regarding the Opel. But I guess that is part of the fun, learning this stuff and figuring out where to source things. Thanks again everyone.

Speaking of VW's, here have couple pictures in return for the info...

[David McCollam]

Hi!

Sorry no gas cap key blanks. Try Keith Lundholm (Opelspyder) or a locksmith.

Good luck!

Dave

[stock77]

Well, the Ascona finally drove around under its own power today. We are still trying to run down a few problems, but all is well so far.

We fired it yesterday and ran its initial break-in and started running down some various little problems.

I guess pictures are in order, so I'll have those up one of these days. Hopefully the Ascona will be good to go for the Opel Nationals...

[stock77]

Here are some pictures from yesterday's big show...

[stock77]

HEre are some more from the Tacoma Opel Show...