The luxury of modesty
09/24/2022
Today's small cars vie for the favor of buyers with cruise control, heated leather steering wheel, telephone connection and a concert hall-like loudspeaker installation. Today, such amenities are offered even in the lowest vehicle class - in addition to obvious features such as metallic paintwork, alloy wheels and air conditioning.
40 years ago, the world looked a little different. It was considered a luxury if the windshield wipers had an intermittent function.
Anyone who ordered an Opel Corsa with luxury equipment in 1982 placed more value on comfort than on speed. Even with the basic 45 hp engine, it was more expensive than a standard 70 hp rocket. On the other hand, the interior was a little more comfortable. For 152 marks more and 25 hp less, you got a center console, two additional heating nozzles and covered wheel arches. Only the Corsa Berlina was even cozier with velour upholstery and grab handles. But it was at least 965 marks more expensive.
The word "luxury" was proudly emblazoned on the doors if you had treated yourself to something more than the bare basic equipment. Even the one-liter class was allowed to be a little more prestigious. It didn't even need alloy wheels. Silver-painted steel disc wheels with a gray plastic cap covering not only the center hole but also the entire wheel flange and bolts were enough to set them apart from the common Corsa crowd. But people secretly envied the Berlina drivers with their pentagonal wheel covers on the star-shaped wheels, which came from the big Kadett.
Of course, a radio always cost extra. If the Corsa 1.0 S was enough for you, you usually made do with the basic entertainment electronics: the "Le Mans" model with FM and medium wave reception for 348 marks. At the bottom of the price list was the "Sebring Top" model with stereo cassette player and station search for 1109 marks. But this was something for Berlina customers in the 70 hp league. The money saved was better invested in a brilliant carmine red paint finish to avoid driving around in dull white or mocha brown. Sometimes very little can mean a lot.
You can read more about the Opel Corsa A in our highly recommended driving report.
