Opel Commodore. 1978–82, 1983–7 (prod. 80,521 German production only). 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/R, 2490 cm³ (I6 CIH), 2784, 2969 cm³ (I6 OHC). New Commodore served as the basis for Holden Commodore (VB), Chevrolet Commodore and, ultimately, Daewoo Royale, with smart, late-1970s’ styling. With a different grille, it was also sold as the Vauxhall Viceroy. Front end shared with upscale Senator and Monza models, while four-light body from the A-pillars back shared with Rekord. At the time, a direct successor to Commodore B, but Opel made sure that C was never equipped with the 2·8- or 3·0-litre engines of the Senator, to avoid cannibalization. Two- and four-door models to begin with; Commodore Voyage estate added in 1981, with 3,439 built. Eventually, the C was crowded out as the Rekord moved upmarket and was facelifted in 1982 in Germany, while the Senator had a 2·5-litre option that rendered the Commodore redundant. However, in South Africa, demand remained strong. The Opel badge made it on to the Chevrolet Commodore in 1983, which had gained the Opel 2·8 the year before, and the original C’s formula was repeated when the facelift made it there in 1984; 3·0 also added to the South African range that year.

Manufacturing locations: Germany; Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Marque: Opel | Model: Opel Commodore | Predecessors: Opel Commodore B, Chevrolet Commodore | Successor: Opel Rekord E2

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