This morning begins early in the heart of the West Palatinate. Holger Fuchs rolls the anthracite-colored Opel Ascona B from the garage-restored two years ago, 2.4 liters of displacement, weaver double carburetor. The column guide from the Lauterer Werk and member of the Ascona Team Kaiserslautern has meticulously prepared the upcoming trip. And dreamed even longer. Now it becomes reality.
Day 1: Three countries, 582 kilometers
In Kaiserslautern and near Heilbronn, the other passengers come across this. In the convoy it goes further south: two Ascona B, an Opel Rekord E. Am Hopfensee First stop – lunch break with alpine panorama. The mood rises, the plates fill up. Then via the Fernpass to the Reschensee. There the church tower protrudes from the water – a landmark that becomes a mandatory photo. A short walk, a coffee, then a good way to the pension in Austria. Twelve hours, three countries, 582 kilometers. A marathon day.
“The trip was worth it for these serpentines alone.”
– Holger Fuchs –
Holger Fuchs and his wife Irene have fulfilled a common dream for the 50th birthday.
René Treitz is the second driver with in Holger Fuchs’ Ascona.
This is how driving fun looks: serpentines as far as the eye can see.
The Stilfser Joch is the highest point of the tour.
Curves full: down towards Bormio, further to Livignio.
Michael Schmitt (left) and Holger Fuchs are connected by headphones.
Day 2: Alpine passes and endorphins
Breakfast, coffee, engine. Today the Stilfser Joch is waiting at 2,760 meters – the highest point of the tour. Gray asphalt, white snow, blue sky. The Ascona takes every slope as if it had never aged. “The trip was worth it for these serpentines alone,” says the Opel colleague. Then it goes down to Bormio, on to Livigno, over St. Moritz the convoy rolls south. Daily balance: 287 kilometers, eight hours of pure ride, countless photo stops. And yet the feeling remains that pictures of reality do not do justice to. “This driving pleasure, this freedom – that cannot be captured,” says Fuchs. In the evening the tour group reached Brione, a Ticino mountain village with narrow streets. Accommodation is a 200 year old stone house – stone walls, creaking doors, the smell of old wood. “This day is simply not to be put into words,” says Fuchs.
Day 3: Arrival in Ascona
There is tension at the breakfast table. No big words, only chewing faces. Everyone knows: the time has come today. A few kilometers to the finish. And then: the place sign ascona. The small delegation is slowly rolling into the place. Pedestrians stop, look, wave. The two Ascona plus records park side by side on the lake shore. This arrival is also a piece of history. In 1975, ASCONA B made his debut at the IAA in Frankfurt: larger, more comfortable, more efficient than its predecessor. The last Opel Ascona with rear wheel drive. Rally success included.
But why is the Opel Ascona actually called Ascona? In the 1960s, the marketing strategists searched for melodious names with an international flair. Like Manta, Kadett or Senator. “Ascona” was the choice – a resort on Lake Maggiore, Mediterrana, sophisticated, a piece of Dolce Vita. Today, 50 years later, the car has returned to its names.
The second Ascona belongs to Irene Fuchs, also a member of the Ascona Team Kaiserslautern.
Two Ascona, one record, one goal: Michael Schmitt (from the front), Irene and Holger Fuchs, Christian Gallert and René Teitz posing on the shore of Lake Maggiore.
Day 4: home
Travel also means saying goodbye. The path leads from Brione via the Gotthard Pass, past the Lake Vierwaldstätter back north. Goal: Blumberg in the Black Forest. Mark Schett and Natascha Huber from the Old School Crew are waiting there-with beds and XXL portions. The next morning: the last breakfast, then the journey home. The speedometer rolls out after five days and 1,768 kilometers. No breakdown, no rain. Only impressions that stay, alpine passes, curve rush.
1,768 kilometers full of memories
Holger Fuchs – together with his wife – thanks the colleagues Christian Gallert, René Treitz and Michael Schmidt, who have agreed to the adventure. “It was an unforgettable experience,” he says. And send another sentence afterwards – a message to everyone who has a similar dream: “Don’t push it up: just go. Just go. If not now – when?”
August 2025
Photos: private