![Join us as we take a tour of the Opel Museum Classic & Sports Car – Classic shrine: Opel Museum](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2022-04/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Classic%20shrine%20%E2%80%93%20Opel%20Museum%20%E2%80%93%20LEAD.png?itok=sSl9HzsG)
In the heart of the Opel factory in western Germany hides an old building with a rough, industrial appearance.
Yet this unassuming space houses an exceptional collection of vehicles that bear witness to the forgotten riches of this often overlooked manufacturer’s history.
Uwe Mertin is a busy man. The boss of Opel Classic, the marque’s historic arm formed more than 20 years ago, has several plates spinning at any one time: supervising the maintenance of the ex-Walter Röhrl Ascona before it leaves for an exhibition; preparing five participants ahead of a historic rally; or even inspecting the final stages of the restoration of a 5CV built under licence from Citroën in 1924.
![Walter Röhrl’s Opel Ascona A in the Opel Museum Classic & Sports Car – Classic shrine: Opel Museum](/sites/default/files/2022-04/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Classic%20shrine%20%E2%80%93%20Opel%20Museum%20%E2%80%93%204.png)
Walter Röhrl’s 1974 European Championship-winning Opel Ascona A is on show
With nearly 600 cars, motorbikes, trucks and bicycles, he is responsible for one of the largest and most impressive manufacturer collections.
Better yet, some 90% of its cars are fully functioning, too.