• Opel Corsa C 2004
• Opel Corsa B 1.2

Opel Corsa C 2004

Adam Opel founded a sewing machine company in 1862. The company moved on to penny-farthing bicycle construction in 1886, and then began to build cars in 1899. After building cars under license from other brands, Opel showed its first car in 1902 and by 1914 was Germany’s largest car manufacturer. General Motors bought 80% of Opel in 1929, and the expansion continued. In 1935 Opel built more than 100,000 cars. During the war, Opel contributed to Germany’s war effort, and thereafter lost one of its factories during the reconfiguration of Europe.

Opel Corsa B 1.2

Come the 1970s, GM unified the Opel and Vauxhall product lines to keep down costs, which has continued ever since. At Haynes, we have an extensive range of Vauxhall repair manuals and online procedures available for professional mechanics and DIY car enthusiasts alike. We can give you all the guidance you need.

Vauxhall Motors was created in 1857 but didn’t start making cars until 1903. Production was moved to Luton in 1905 and early models had sporty overtones. The firm was acquired by General Motors in 1925 (along with Opel in 1929) and the focus was changed to produce more affordable models such as the Cadet.

Car production ceased during WW2 and tanks (the Churchill) and trucks were made instead. Cars were made again from 1964, with the launch of the Ford Anglia-rivalling Viva, Victor and Viscount. Subsequent popular models included the Chevette and Cavalier, with the Astra first appearing in 1980.

Vauxhall has traditionally rivalled Ford, with the Corsa competing against the Fiesta and the Astra against the Focus, but the firm has produced a few standalone models for sports car enthusiasts: the VX220 and the Monaro (latterly VXR8). At Haynes, we have an extensive range of Vauxhall repair manuals and online repair guides available for professional mechanics and DIY car enthusiasts alike. We can give you all the guidance you need.