PetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlog
  • Home
  • 70s cars
  • 80s cars
  • 90s cars
  • 00s cars
  • Manufacturers
    • CITROËN
    • PEUGEOT
    • RENAULT
    • Alfa Romeo
    • Audi
    • Dacia
    • Daihatsu
    • Fiat
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Lancia
    • Matra
    • Mazda
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
    • Opel
    • Proton
    • Saab
    • Seat
    • Skoda
    • Suzuki
    • Talbot
    • Toyota
    • Vauxhall
    • Volkswagen
    • Volvo
  • Features
    • 10 of the best
    • CarTunes
    • General Bunk
    • It’s time to appreciate
    • Major Waffle
    • New cars
    • Regrets
    • Reviews
    • Save Our Scrap
    • Shatchbacks
    • The Barn
    • Whatever happened to?
  • Garage
  • Shop
0

Yesterday’s Specials: Opel Speedster Scorpions

Published by Gavin Big-Surname at 18th March 2010
Opel Speedster Scorpions

Oh how the rest of Europe laughed when Vauxhall launched the VX220 in the UK with the disastrously appalling advertising campaign. Oh how the Germans mocked us when Griff Rhys-Jones appeared wearing nothing more than a white vest, a pair of Y-fronts and a ginger beard to announce Vauxhall’s sports car.

According to the ad agency, the campaign was called ‘Dream Car‘, with Rhys-Jones attempting to discredit the sexiness of the car. Well, I can safely say that the ad campaign worked – it had the desired effect of discrediting the VX220 from the outset. Despite amazing reviews, a host of accolades and ultimately being a damn fine sports car, the VX220 was a sales disaster. While the Lotus Elise had an F1 heritage, a strong brand and a back catalogue to dream of, the VX220 had to make do with a Y-fronted comedian… in a ginger beard. Oh dear.

In Europe, the VX220 was badged as the Opel Speedster. Fundamentally the same car, but without ginger beards and Y-fronts. For three years, Germany had the upper hand over the UK. The VX220 couldn’t shake the memory of Griff and it wasn’t until the launch of the Turbo in 2003 that the VX finally earned some credibility.

However, there was about to be a sting in the tail for the Speedster in 2003. Remember the Scorpions? Well in mainland Europe the ageing band is a giant of the rock world, still filling stadiums in front of adoring fans. But even with this fact in mind, surely you wouldn’t consider a tie-up between a two-seater Elise-based sports car and the Scorpions would you? Exactly.

Unfortunately, Opel didn’t agree and in 2003 they launched the Opel Speedster Scorpions. No really, it did.

Opel Speedster Scorpions

Better than Y-fronts and a ginger beard?

So what did the Scorpions owner get? Well all cars were silver, with hard top, black windscreen surround, anthracite alloys and black leather interior. In addition, each owner got a Gibson guitar and a signed photo of the band. Finally, if the buyer agreed not to haggle on the price, they’d get a 12-inch version of the classic single, Wind of Change, with David Hasselhoff making a guest appearance. These now fetch a pretty penny on eBay.de.

Opel Speedster Scorpions

Take me to the magic of the moment. On a glory night.

There are rumoured to be about 80 Opel Speedster Scorpions in existence. Many examples have appeared to grow mullets in their old age, but are still able capable of making the occasional appearance on MTV.

So did the VX220 actually get the last laugh? Well maybe not. There are apparently top secret documents at Vauxhall HQ that outline plans for a rather special VX220 of their own. The VX220 Chas & Dave edition never actually made production, but plans to give an old piano, a pint of ale and some jellied eels with the car would have been a huge success. With Chas in Y-fronts.

Which one was Chas? Did he have the beard? Or was he the smaller one? Oh never mind. I’m off for some rabbit. From Sainsbury’s.

Share
0


Related Waffle


Club PetrolBlog: Best Cars of the 1980s

Jan 22, 2021
Volkswagen Golf Rallye UK

I’m an Idiot: The Cars I Should Have Kept

Nov 6, 2020
Vauxhall Meriva VXR on it

It’s time to appreciate the Vauxhall Meriva VXR

Aug 27, 2020
CarTunes by Kenny Smith

CarTunes: a mixtape by Kenny Smith

Aug 21, 2020

3 Comments

  1. sondre says:
    5th November 2010 at 10:40 pm

    how much?

    Reply
    • MajorGav says:
      7th November 2010 at 9:46 pm

      The Scorpions listed at €39,995.

      Reply
  2. Andy says:
    14th January 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Over the same period, Griff rhys-Jones also advertised (in a similarly daft fashion) the astra, Zafira, corsa & the vectra, all of which sold by the bucketload.

    Yes the vx220 wasn’t a big seller but I don’t think that was because people based their decision of whether to buy one or not on the advertising campaign.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

JOIN CLUB PETROLBLOG

Club PetrolBlog

Latest PetrolBlog Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66H54duotkI&t=29s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YrdKXz-OgM&t=4s

Support PetrolBlog – Buy Stickers

  • French Tat window sticker #FrenchTat window sticker £4.00
  • Too Good to Scrap TOO GOOD TO SCRAP window sticker £3.00
  • Tollfoolery sticker Tollfoolery car bumper sticker £3.50
  • Tollfoolery sticker Tollfoolery car window sticker £4.00
  • My car is the goat bumper sticker My car is the G.O.A.T bumper sticker £3.00
  • Club PetrolBlog sticker Club PetrolBlog membership 2020/2021
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £15.00
  • PETROLBLOG laptop sticker PetrolBlog laptop sticker £3.00 £2.50
  • GOAT My car is the G.O.A.T window sticker £3.00
  • Waffle & Bunk laptop sticker Waffle & Bunk laptop sticker £3.00 £2.50
  • French Tat bumper sticker #FrenchTat bumper sticker £3.50

What you’re saying

  • 25th February 2021

    Rich D commented on 10 of the best: single wipers

  • 24th February 2021

    Dave and his Volvo commented on Shednesday: Native New Yorker in Sunderland

  • 24th February 2021

    Johannes Smith commented on Last remaining Sao Penza found on Pluto

  • 24th February 2021

    Ben C commented on Buy a Toyota Celica – it’s good for your mental health

  • 19th February 2021

    Mark James commented on Your reminder that the Lancia Ypsilon is still alive

Keep PetrolBlog Alive!

Donate to PetrolBlog

Fresh waffle

  • Chrysler New Yorker Shednesday1
    Shednesday: Native New Yorker in Sunderland
    22nd February 2021
  • Buy a Toyota Celica2
    Buy a Toyota Celica – it’s good for your mental health
    19th February 2021
  • Renault 21 Turbo1
    Lost Bullet is a film about a Renault 21 Turbo
    18th February 2021
  • Shednesday Fiat Croma5
    Shednesday: Fiat Croma Comfort Wagon
    17th February 2021
  • 2021 Lancia Ypsilon EcoChic3
    Your reminder that the Lancia Ypsilon is still alive
    5th February 2021
  • Renault 19 at the Cafe Real Madrid0
    10 of the best: the French cars of Conakry
    4th February 2021
  • End of the road for Toyota GT86 in the UK6
    PetrolBlog’s 2013 Toyota GT86 review, revisited
    3rd February 2021
  • As Seen On PB Audi quattro3
    As seen on PB: 1986 Audi WR quattro
    3rd February 2021
  • Fiat Regata Energy Saving1
    Citymatic for the people: Fiat Regata ES
    2nd February 2021
  • Renault 11 Broadway0
    Give my regards to the Renault 11 Broadway
    2nd February 2021

Newsletters

PetrolBlog
ABOUT | ADVERTISING / SPONSORSHIP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS | CONTACT US

Unashamedly unmodern, delivering automotive waffle and bunk, on and off, since 2010

Copyright © PetrolBlog. Website by Oxinternet.

0