![]() The i200 was only in production for 2 years and only sold in relatively small numbers from the UK Irmscher franchise, Steve Thompson Cars Ltd, of Walsall. They do not feature the Blitz interior however, as this was made in very small numbers and was not available as an aftermarket item. Several of these conversions are know to the club. ![]() It was possible to have a standard GT/E converted to i200 specification by purchasing the upgrade kit from Irmscher. The model code for the GT/E, which surprisingly was XR3, is not present on the genuine i200 build plate. The chassis build plate should also show the factory code for the Blitz Trim interior (188) and not the code for the other variants of trim available. As the i200 was fitted with Quad Headlamps from new (in the UK), the headlamp wash wipe was not applicable and as such the front airdam was not fitted with washer jets. ![]() A limited edition Opel Sport version of the decal kit was also released but it is the Rothmans Blue / Red / Gold striping kit that most people associate with the car. This interior option was only ever available on genuine Irmscher Cars, and as such is highly collectable now.Ī 'no cost option' was the fitment of a Rothmans decal set, to celebrate their sponsorship of the Dealer Opel team. Many 'look alike' models appeared but did not feature the mechanical modifications. The Blitz interior is the biggest clue as to the whether the car is an original. Similar to the Road Manta/Ascona 400 seats with Black seat backs, the i200 version had grey, lightening the interior. As the car was usually built to order, the specification was dictated by how much could be spent.Ī new cloth trim was introduced, with the Recaro seats being decorated in black 'Opel Sport' cloth. Many other options were available such as a big valve head and Limited Slip Differential. UK specification cars were generally fitted with a gas flowed cylinder head which gave the i200 136 bhp. The standard package included a high lift cam, solid lifters, uprated valve springs and re-mapped distributor to increase power output by some 15 bhp. Upon arrival at Irmscher, the Manta 400 Rally car quad Halogen headlamps and a deep boot spoiler were fitted along with the various mechanical upgrades. These cars were built on the same production line as the standard GT/E but due to the differences in spec, they were not designated as such. They arrived as either Polar White or Astro Silver cars, and already had the Opel Cloth seats fitted at the Opel Factory. They took batches of specially ordered Mantas direct from the Opel production line in Antwerp and shipped them to Remshalden, the home of the Irmscher works, where many subtle changes were made. In Total, 477 i200 models were built by Irmscher. We hope you will join us on the journey.ĭTW is non-commercial, self-funded, and contains no advertising.Īll original content (words and images) hosted on this site remain the sole copyright of the authors and may not be reproduced or re-purposed in whole or in part without their written permission.The i200 was produced from 1984 to 1986 and was launched as a limited edition Group B FISA homologated model by Opel tuning and styling house, Irmscher. Our aim is to provide a distinctive voice and a diversity of automotive writing you may not find elsewhere. ![]() Driven To Write is a collective of writers, fuelled by a passion for the motor car, its culture, its people and their stories.
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