Opel Monza GSE | Spotted
The GSE badge is back - time to revisit an old school hero
The GSE badge was a good one to be resurrected by Vauxhall and Opel, even if it should now be written GSe. It rolls off the tongue quite nicely, it sounds appropriately sporty without being OTT, and it’s always handy when an old name can be reused for the electric era. So expect many more like the Astra, Corsa, and Mokka, basically.
The return for the UK market of GSE is notable because there has only actually ever been one previous model sold here. There have been GTEs, GSIs, SRIs, HSRs and VXRs aplenty, but only one GSE: the Monza. Now there’s an evocative name, Opel Monza GSE. The ultimate version of what was basically a Senator coupe, it came with all the goodies expected of an early 80s coupe: digital dash, Recaro seats, strakes where strakes didn’t really need to be, and a burly 3.0-litre straight six under the bonnet. It may have been the only GSE ever sold here, but it remains fondly recalled by enthusiasts - how could something this handsome not be?
Plus there’s the fact that the models like the Monza (and the related Vauxhall Royale) were never replaced. Nothing burnishes a reputation quite like the end of a lineage. So seeing any GSE these days, more than 40 years after the last one was made, is notable. But especially so for this one, as it’s modified, magazine featured Monza that’s had a huge amount of everything invested to make it one of the best in the world.
Those with very good memories might recall that this Monza has featured before but, quite frankly, it’s cool enough to have the limelight once more. Especially at £5k less than it was advertised for in 2022 after just 1,800 more miles; it’s nice to see, for buyers at least, that classics can go down in value as well as up. The headlines for this one are a 24-valve engine conversion from a Carlton GSI (the standard 3.0 was 12-valve), which will bring a useful power gain; it also has working air-con and a sunroof, both handy going into summer; oh yes, and the small matter of £100,000 spent over the years on maintenance…
Actually, maintenance sells it short, because there are elements of restoration in that incredible spend as well. This Monza really is an extraordinary example inside and out, a testament to the money and effort that’s been spent on it. The six-figure claim was made last time this car was sold, so it probably hasn’t benefitted from much recent work (apart from the wheel swap); but then having covered just a couple of thousand miles since it understandably looks absolutely as good as it did. There looks to be a newer stereo now.
And when contemporary E24 BMWs are for sale at anything up to £130,000, paying a little more than £20k for a much rarer Monza doesn’t sound like a bad deal at all. It’s hard to imagine, even as a 42-year-old car, that there’d be very much to work on given the scope of the recent overhaul. All that’s hopefully on the to do list is to drive and enjoy, which shouldn’t be very hard at all.
SPECIFICATION | OPEL MONZA 3.0 GSE
Engine: 2,969cc, straight six
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 180@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 183@4,600-4,800rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 87,800
Year registered: 1984
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £22,950
I disagree with the note about converting to manual. My mate had one of these years ago, and I thought it suited the car to be auto in the same way that I think it suits the 928, but it wouldn't suit a Manta or 944.
That does seem good value if its as good as it looks, the 24 valve conversion adds a cherry on top.
Regarding the gearbox, I had a Senator 24v auto and although it suited it, the police versions we had were all manual, and felt a lot livelier for it.
As this is a ‘sports’ coupe I’d rather have it as a manual.
If it were mine, I’d have to change the stereo head unit, the wheels (possibly for Senator 24v alloys, or similar, but larger BBS items), and the gearbox.
It’s obviously been used as intended, but would it not benefit for a soda blast clean-up underneath?
Quite a lovely thing, and I’d probably rather daily this than a modern s
tbox…Those wheels and steering wheel are pretty grim though and I don't think that blue suits it much, not sure that was an originally available colour either - recall GSE's being white, black, silver and metallic red but perhaps the blue was a seldom chosen option ?
I still hanker after a Vauxhall Royale Coupe for reasons I can't quite explain even to myself other than I remember seeing one in a Vauxhall car range booklet that the dealer's used to issue when I was a kid and being wowed by its bright blue velour interior !
I disagree with the note about converting to manual. My mate had one of these years ago, and I thought it suited the car to be auto in the same way that I think it suits the 928, but it wouldn't suit a Manta or 944.
That does seem good value if its as good as it looks, the 24 valve conversion adds a cherry on top.
I really only ever did the monza side and thought it was the business.
No idea where it came from, possibly a gizzit from the local dealer or the motor show. It would have been about the time Dad got a cavalier as his company car - the only time he strayed from fords before he became management and went oop market with Rovers and then oddly an integrale. Apparently the result of drinking at lunch time.
The wheel swap is terrible and on my jigsaw they were tasty 5 spoke alloys not the design as shown for the spare.
Now I’m thinking they haven’t aged so well.
The wheels can easily be changed or do you mean the market for one with a better, more powerful engine from the same manufacturer which is a logical upgrade ?
I think I could forgive it that.
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