Opel Vectra (1991) – Enthusiast Wanted

The Opel Vectra A came on the market at the end of 1988 as a successor to the Opel Ascona. Possibly Rüsselsheim changed the model name of his middle class car to make the Ascona forget. Whether that was actually the case or not; in any case, the Vectra more than succeeded. In 1990, the car’s second full year on the market, Opel sold over 16,000 units, a lot more than the Ascona in its best year. The following year, 1991, was the peak year for the Vectra. No fewer than 21,140 Vectras left the Dutch dealers that year.

One of these is the ZL-85-JN, which was received by its proud first owner more than thirty years ago. He must have been happy with it, because he drove it for 14 years. Then the second owner bought it, who enjoyed it for almost 18 years. The selling party does not state why he eventually sold the car. It is clear that the Vectra has never been tested too hard by both. For example, the wheels covered with the original caps did not have to travel even 70,000 kilometers during their existence. We doubt whether he has always slept inside. In any case, the carriage is starting to rot here and there.

Nice and sober

The bumpers, which consist of two different colors of plastic, on the other hand, still look good. Although that could be the result of a treatment with a plastic agent that has to be reapplied after a while. In any case, they lend a hand in placing the car in the former zeitgeist: at the end of the 1980s, a less luxurious version was still fitted with unpainted bumpers, even if it was a model in a higher segment. Together with the extremely solid look with which the Vectra headlights look at the world, the Opel ensures that you can imagine yourself back in time. This is still a real ‘act normal, then you act crazy enough’ car, for which the former Calvinist Netherlands fell like a rock – witness the sales figures.

Despite those figures, you hardly ever come across Vectras of this generation anymore, which makes this offer all the more fun. Its paint has withstood the test of time well and the sedan still seems complete. The aforementioned hubcaps are not even weathered and the radio also seems original, or at least dates from the same era. The somewhat loose upholstery of the driver’s seat forms a single trace of use.

Actually, only the rust appears to be a point of attention. Technically, the Vectra is simple: the 1.6 with injection never worked too hard, since he only had to cough up 75 hp. With 127 Nm of torque, the car, with an empty weight of 980 kg, was also well endowed. Add to this that the amount of kilometers already traveled is quite small, and there is a chance that only a few rubbers need to be replaced. Even that could not be too bad, if the car has not been standing still for months in a row. Leave €2,250 in Diepenheim, and you can find out. You just have to be able to accept all kinds of ‘my father used to have one like that!’ comments. The Vectra A was not only popular in 1991, but throughout its career: about 100,000 units received Dutch license plates. Of the more than 21,000 copies delivered in 1991, about 80 are still left.

One of the places where rust is also visible on the outside.