Walter Rohrl Revisits His First-Ever Rally Car 50 Years later

Original photos show a 26-year-old Rohrl posing alongside the ‘Commode’ and co-driver, Jochen Burger. Another action shot captures the Commodore in motion during a night stage, sliding past in the snow as spectators look on. The Opel wasn’t successful, but it was just the start of many great things for Rohrl.

In 1980, Rohrl secured his first championship win while driving a Fiat 131 Abarth. Many argue that his best performance came two years later when he was crowned World Champion. His car of choice for the 1982 season was a rear-wheel-drive Opel Ascona 400, and, despite the threat of Audi’s superior all-wheel-drive monsters, Rohrl managed to outpace the Quattros and clinch another victory.

That would be his last time racing an Opel. The following year, the “Genius on Wheels,” as he was known, moved over to Lancia, where he stayed for two years before heading to Audi.