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1838, Rüsselsheim,
Germany: Adam Opel is born. At the age of 25, Adam Opel
opened a factory producing sewing machines. In 1885,
the factory was selling assembled bicycles.
Adam Opel died in 1895 when the company was the European leader in sewing
machines and producing 2,000 a year.
The sons of Adam Opel (Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich and Ludwig) expanded
to the automotive industry and the first automobile was produced in 1899.
In 1902, a 10/12 hp model with a 2-cylinder engine, the first complete
model from Opel. In 1909, Opel introduced a compact two-seater which was
especially liked by doctors and became known as the "Doktorwagen”
(Doctor’s Car).
General Motors Corporation purchased the company in 1929. In 1935 at the
Berlin Auto Show, Opel presented the first volume-produced German car
with an integral all-steel frame and body, the Olympia 1.3 liter.
Following WWII, Opel employees began to rebuild the destroyed Rüsselsheim
plant. The Blitz truck, and later, the Olympia and Kapitan were introduced. In 1962, Opel began a new
era with the Senator and Monza models
in 1977 in a come back to the executive class segment. |
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The Kapitän was the first 6-cylinder built in Germany after
WW-2. With the Kapitän Opel also introduced it's first automatic
transmission. The 2.6 liters 6-cylinder's displacement had 90 HP.
The car could accelerate from a standstill to 150 km/h top speed
in highest gear. |
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Kadett 1962 - 1990
The Kadett was Opel's answer to the VW Beetle. In 1967, cars came
with the 1.7 and 1.9 liter Rekord engine. At almost 170 km/h, it
was a real performance in this segment.
The GSI 16 V with it's fully emission controlled engine delivered
150 HP out a 2 liter engine - that was in 1984. |
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Ascona
1970 - 1988
As a successor to the Olympia, Opel presented two models in 1970:
the Ascona and the Manta. They shared the rear axle with the Kadett
and the engines with the Rekord. In 1975, the second generation
Ascona was bigger than the previous model in every dimension and
had a 2.0 liters with 110 HP as top-of-the-line engine. |
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Manta 1970 - 1988
The Opel Manta shared its mechanical components with the Ascona.
The Manta achieved years of success and had one if not the longest
Opel model life span ever. It was built for 13 years until it was
replaced by the Calibra in 1988. |
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Senator - Monza 1978 - 1986
The Senator and Monza marks the continuation of Opel in the larger
sedans market. The most powerful engine available was a 3.0 liters
fuel injection with 180 HP that accelerated the Monza from 0 to
100 Km/h in 8.5 seconds and gave it a top speed of 215 km/h. Back
then this was Porsche 928 territory! |
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Omega Lotus 1990-1993
The Omega Lotus runs from 0-100 Km/h in a mere 4.5 secs. Even figures
for serious supercars like the Ferrari Testarossa and Porsche 911
Turbo trailed in most areas, leaving only the Lamborghini Diablo
as a true match in all-round performance.
Power is delivered by a 3.6-litre, 24V twin-cam 377 HP straight-six
engine with a pair of Garrett T2 5 turbos. 1,100 Omega Lotus were
built. |
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Calibra 1989 - 1997
On its launch in 1989, the Calibra was the most aerodynamic production car in the world. The last Calibra Turbos were produced in early 1997 before a final run of Calibra Turbo Limited Editions were rolled out. These were all finished in jet black paintwork with Irmscher spoiler, BBS RX 16" alloys and colour coded body fittings. |
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Vectra 1988 - 2008
The Vectra was introduced in 1988 as a replacement to the Opel Ascona and itself was replaced in 2008 by the Opel Insignia.
The Vectra saw three generations of Hatchback and sedan, station wagon, as well as the last generation Signum, a truly unique concept. |
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