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Two sunny minds: Eleftherios Mattheakis and his Astra G convertible.
Colleagues open the garage door
And which piece of jewelry did you park at home? Write us: opel.post@opel.com
As soon as he turns the ignition key, Eleftherios Mattheakis’s garage sounds like a huge predator awakes from a deep sleep. The rumble coming from inside makes the diaphragm vibrate. “In winter, when it is cold, it is even more intense,” smiles the landlord. “Then the whole garage shivers.”
This predator does not look so dangerous. Like an Astra G convertible. It is also one: built in 2003, equipped with a 2.0 16V turbo. An engine, as Opel nostalgics love it. Created by legendary engine developer Fritz Indra, the 190 hp engine grunted in Calibra and Omega back in the 1990s – but never before got under the skin like in this model. What happened to this copy? Behind the smile of the host is more than just owner pride.
Silver with red leather seats: A convertible with style – and irrepressible temperament.
Because Eleftherios Mattheakis not only tames the predator, he created it. “I provided the car with new software and took care of its innards,” explains the Greek. “Used about forged connecting rods, clutch and bearing reinforced, the carburetor re-adjusted, larger nozzles and a 76-millimeter exhaust built-in …” And, and, and. Bottom line, the 43-year-old, his Astra G now comes to 480 hp. Is not that risky? Not for one who understands tuning. And Eleftherios Mattheakis is not only interested in craftsmanship, but also in the technology behind it.
It’s in the family
He spent a large part of his youth in the garage, which was in the immediate vicinity of his home in Rüsselsheim-Königstädten. First mopeds, then mopeds, then the first motorcycle, then the first own car. And when he started learning electronics at Opel, it was also clear which brand he would dedicate his favorite pastime to. That was not a surprise, of course. Even his grandfather worked for the flash, as did his parents. Meanwhile, they have returned to Crete, to the roots of the family.
Screwdrivers and academics: When it comes to tuning Eleftherios Mattheakis makes no one.
“I do not have a point in Flensburg even after 25 years.”
Always informed: If you are traveling with a lot of power, you want to check the performance data for exhaust / oil / charge air temperature and boost pressure indicators “live”.
His buddies, who worked with the same passion for engines, opted for more expensive brands, “but I did not want to hang out.” So he first took an Astra F, later an Omega, to keep up. “I wanted to show the others what you can do with an Opel.”
As he himself became a father, increasingly family-friendly model came into the sights of the tuning specialist. Among other things, he styled the 1.2 liter 16V of an Agila to 105 hp. He still has it after 15 years in his possession, although he now receives lovers offers for the good piece. “I will not give it to him. Why? He eats no bread and will not break. “In addition, the Agila is a small space miracle:” With the I have already transported a washing machine and a dryer at the same time, this is another imitate me with a car of this size. “
Time for something to turn on: The predator is waiting for his mission.
Technical specifications
Conversion Since 2005, from formerly 192PS / 250Nm to currently 500HP / 550Nm
Engine Original one Z20LET, rebuilt to Z20LEH piston and piston bottom cooling; Balancing shafts removed; Cat Cams Steelpleul; Glyco sputter bearing; APR screws; Dbilas-airbox / -Ansaugkrümmer / -Ladeluftkühler; C18XE camshafts with adjustable camshaft sprockets; Walbro fuel pump with additional tank; 630ccm nozzles; Turbocharger EFR7163; Friedrich 3-inch exhaust system with HJS cat. Flywheel relieved; Sachs performance clutch; Individual vote at Dbilas
Transmitter Rebuilded on X20DTL, new synchronizer rings; Phantom Grip Lock
Body Except for a currently dismantled strut brace original with only 110,000 km pure summer operation since first registration
Suspension coilover suspension from KW. Variant 3, adjustable in tension and compression; harder sockets on subframe; thicker stabilizer from the Zafira
Brake Converted to Porsche Boxster S (986) System with Audi R8 brake calliper for the handbrake function; everything with steel flex lines
Interior exhaust / oil / charge air temperature and boost pressure indicators from Apexi, Dooboards with GroundZero 16 and Subwoofer in the trunk (Ground Zero Nucelar Power Amplifier with 2kW)
Under the hood, it’s about: The original OPC engine was not bad, but Eleftherios Mattheakis has hochfrisiert him efficiently.
“Slowly stalking on a high-priced model from Zuffenhausen, then briefly pass the gas pedal.”
Otherwise, several Zafira already served to transport the now four-headed family, and also on the father puts his hand always on – with now grown expertise. Because after his electronics apprenticeship Eleftherios Mattheakis studied mechanical engineering with a focus on automotive engineering. Later he also taught at university, design theory. Today he works for Opel in the aftersales sector.
Masterpiece in tuning
In 2013, he saw the time come to accomplish his tuning masterpiece. In Munich, he discovered the said Astra G. The convertible with the red leather seats had also been well “personalized” by his previous owner. “That was a music freak, because there were two subwoofers installed in the trunk, for which it needed an additional battery, otherwise the alternator would have given up the ghost every six months.” Eleftherios Mattheakis, on the other hand, preferred the non plus ultra of engine sound.
At the back greets the homeland: The tail adorn the outlines of the island of Crete.
At some point it is just fine. “I could tune up the car to between 700 and 800 bhp, but you will not get that performance on the road anyway,” he says of his abilities, but also when it’s necessary to hold back. Besides, he does not care about teasing the top speed at any price. “Slowly stalking on a high-priced PS model from Stuttgart or Zuffenhausen, then briefly pass the gas pedal and imagine the face of the other, when he realizes that it was an Opel, who just let him stand – that makes a lot more Fun.”
“I could tune the car up to 700 to 800 hp, but you will not get that performance on the road anyway.”
A traffic hooligan but he was by no means. Not only does Eleftherios Mattheakis claim that, he can prove that. “Even after 25 years, I do not have a point in Flensburg.” He had been flashed only two times – “both times with only 5 km / h too much.” Behaving on the street next door would not do the family peace well. Because his wife Chrisoula Alevizaki is a lawyer – and specialized in traffic law. It is also a matter of honor for the family to be exemplary on the road.
June 2019
Text: Eric Scherer, Photos: Alex Heimann