Irmscher

Irmscher Automobilbau GmbH & Co. KG is a German automotive tuning, vehicle manufacturing, and engineering company based in Winnenden, near Stuttgart. Founded in 1968 by rally driver and mechanic Günther Irmscher, the business began in a double garage and developed a close relationship with Opel through competition, vehicle development, and aftermarket customization. Its work has included modified road cars, motorsport vehicles, special editions, engineering services, and individually supplied components. The company is particularly associated with Opel models. Its catalog has included alloy wheels, suspension and performance upgrades, exhaust systems, aerodynamic body kits, grilles, spoilers, interior trim, and other exterior and cabin components. Irmscher's relationship with Opel was strengthened through participation in German and European motorsport, including the operation of Opel factory competition programs. Competition-related vehicles associated with the company include the Ascona B i400 rally car, a Vectra touring car, an Astra DTM car, and an Omega V8Star Series car. This motorsport background helped position Irmscher as more than a cosmetic accessory supplier: its identity combines road-car personalization with performance engineering and competition experience. Although Opel has remained the central marque in its portfolio, Irmscher has also worked with other manufacturers and brands. Reference material identifies projects involving Peugeot and Kia, as well as engineering or component work connected with Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Saab models based on General Motors platforms. These activities have included vehicle conversions, styling parts, wheels, and broader engineering services for the automotive industry. The extent and availability of individual projects vary by model and market, and many are limited-run or specialist products rather than mass-market vehicles. Irmscher has also produced complete vehicles and concepts. In 1989 it introduced the Irmscher GT, a 2+2 sports coupe powered by a 3.6-liter inline-six engine. The same year, it collaborated with Isuzu on Irmscher-S and Irmscher-R versions of the Isuzu Trooper, whose changes were primarily cosmetic. In 1993, the company began building a two-seat roadster based on the Lotus Seven concept. Initially called the Seventy Seven, the car was later renamed the Irmscher 7; production of this roadster line is described as continuing through 2012, with Opel-sourced four-cylinder engines offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Irmscher used concept and anniversary vehicles to demonstrate its engineering capabilities. The Inspiro roadster was shown at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show with a modified 3.0-liter V6 derived from the Opel Omega B. For the company's 40th anniversary in 2008, it presented the GT i40, based on the Opel GT and Saturn Sky and equipped with a 6.0-liter V8. In 2011, Irmscher presented the electrically powered Irmscher 7 Selectra at the Geneva Motor Show, extending its roadster program into electric propulsion. Today, Irmscher is best understood as a specialist automotive brand serving the aftermarket and low-volume vehicle sectors. Its positioning rests on marque-specific design, performance-oriented personalization, motorsport heritage, and engineering expertise. Publicly available reference material does not establish detailed current ownership, financial performance, or a complete list of present-day executives, so those fields remain unspecified.

Irmscher was established in 1968 in Winnenden, a Swabian town near Stuttgart, by rally driver and mechanic Günther Irmscher. The company began in a double garage and developed as a specialist business combining motorsport preparation, automotive engineering, and road-car customization. Its early and continuing identity was closely linked to Opel, whose vehicles became the main basis for Irmscher performance and styling programs. The relationship with Opel extended beyond aftermarket accessories. Irmscher operated Opel factory competition activities in a range of German and European events, helping establish technical credibility through rallying and circuit racing. Vehicles associated with this work include the Ascona B i400 rally car, a Vectra touring car, an Astra DTM car, and an Omega V8Star Series car. Motorsport involvement provided a platform for testing vehicle components and promoted the company as a performance-oriented engineering specialist. Irmscher's road-car work has included alloy wheels, body kits, exhaust systems, interior fittings, and other customized components. While Opel has been the company's best-known partner, reference material also identifies work involving Peugeot and Kia, together with engineering or component projects for Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Saab models using General Motors-related platforms. Such work has included styling, wheels, and other vehicle-specific engineering solutions. The company expanded into complete vehicles and special projects during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. In 1989 it introduced the Irmscher GT, a 2+2 sports coupe powered by a 3.6-liter inline-six engine. That year it also collaborated with Isuzu on Irmscher-S and Irmscher-R versions of the Isuzu Trooper, with modifications focused on appearance. In 1993, Irmscher began producing a roadster modeled on the Lotus Seven formula. The vehicle was initially named Seventy Seven and was later marketed as the Irmscher 7. It used Opel four-cylinder engines and remained in production in the described form until 2012. Irmscher continued to use concepts and limited-volume vehicles to display its capabilities. The Inspiro concept appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 2002 and used a modified 3.0-liter V6 derived from the Opel Omega B. In 2008, the company marked its 40th anniversary with the GT i40, an Opel GT and Saturn Sky-based project fitted with a 6.0-liter V8. In 2011, it presented the Irmscher 7 Selectra, an electric version of its roadster, at the Geneva Motor Show. The resulting business model combines aftermarket parts, complete vehicle conversions, special editions, motorsport-derived development, and engineering services. Irmscher is therefore distinct from a conventional volume car manufacturer: it operates in a specialist segment where brand-specific design, low-volume production, and technical personalization are central. Public reference material does not provide a reliable complete account of current management, ownership, financial results, or all present product lines.

• 2012

  Irmscher 7 production period concluded

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  Reference material identifies 2012 as the end of the described Irmscher 7 roadster production period.

• 2011

  Irmscher 7 Selectra electric roadster presented

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  The company presented an electrically powered version of its roadster at the Geneva Motor Show.

• 2008

  GT i40 anniversary project

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  For its 40th anniversary, Irmscher presented the GT i40, based on the Opel GT and Saturn Sky and fitted with a 6.0-liter V8.

• 2004

  Roadster renamed Irmscher 7

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  The Seventy Seven roadster adopted the Irmscher 7 name during the later part of its production run.

• 2002

  Inspiro concept shown at Geneva

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  The Inspiro roadster concept was presented at the Geneva Motor Show with a modified Opel Omega-derived V6.

• 1993

  Seventy Seven roadster launched

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  Irmscher began building its Lotus Seven-inspired roadster, initially sold as the Seventy Seven.

• 1989

  Irmscher GT introduced

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  The company introduced the Irmscher GT, a 2+2 sports coupe with a 3.6-liter inline-six engine.

• 1989

  Isuzu Trooper collaboration

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  Irmscher collaborated with Isuzu on Irmscher-S and Irmscher-R versions of the Isuzu Trooper, primarily adding cosmetic modifications.

• 1968

  Company founded in Winnenden

  [1]Irmscheren.wikipedia.org

  Günther Irmscher founded the company in a double garage in Winnenden, Germany.

Specialist automotive aftermarket and low-volume engineering brand combining Opel-focused customization, performance development, motorsport heritage, and bespoke vehicle production.

• Automotive aftermarket

  Opel tuning and conversion programs

  Irmscher's core offering consists of model-specific Opel modifications, including alloy wheels, aerodynamic body kits, exhaust systems, performance components, and interior fittings. The programs draw on the company's long association with Opel and its competition experience, and are intended to give standard vehicles a more distinctive appearance or sportier driving character.

• Low-volume sports car · 1989

  Irmscher GT

  Introduced in 1989, the Irmscher GT was a 2+2 sports coupe equipped with a 3.6-liter inline-six engine. It represented the company's move beyond component tuning into the creation of complete specialist vehicles.

• Special vehicle conversion · 1989

  Irmscher-S and Irmscher-R Isuzu Trooper

  These versions of the Isuzu Trooper were produced through an Irmscher-Isuzu collaboration in 1989. The changes were primarily cosmetic, applying Irmscher styling treatment to the Japanese four-wheel-drive vehicle.

• Sports roadster · 1993

  Seventy Seven / Irmscher 7

  Irmscher's Lotus Seven-inspired roadster was built from 1993 to 2012 in the described production program. It initially carried the Seventy Seven name and later became the Irmscher 7. Opel-sourced four-cylinder engines were offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged configurations.

• Concept roadster · 2002

  Inspiro

  The Inspiro was a roadster concept shown at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It used a modified 3.0-liter V6 derived from the Opel Omega B and served as a demonstration of Irmscher's design and engineering capabilities.

• Anniversary special vehicle · 2008

  GT i40

  Presented in 2008 for Irmscher's 40th anniversary, the GT i40 was based on the Opel GT and Saturn Sky. Its defining technical feature was a 6.0-liter V8, making it a high-performance demonstration vehicle rather than a mainstream production model.

• Electric sports roadster · 2011

  Irmscher 7 Selectra

  The Irmscher 7 Selectra was an electrically powered derivative of the company's roadster. Presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, it demonstrated an early application of electric propulsion to Irmscher's lightweight specialist-car format.

1. 1Irmscheren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Irmscher websiteirmscher.com