In the Second World War the products to be made are prescribed the individual manufacturers again. The Opel Blitz which has been so successful before the war is now built by Daimler Benz. The end of WW II means a much more substantial cut than that of the first one, particularly for the Opel plant in Brandenburg. Dismantling and widespread destruction create hard times. After changes to the furtheron built pre-war models the first new construction comes out in 1953, of course with pontoon car body, the Opel Rekord Olympia. It draws the attention, in addition, by the favorable price. The production figures clearly rise. After the coal mining collapse in the Ruhr area a new plant is opened in Bochum. There, in 1962, they start the production of a physically new compact car with the name 'Kadett' which is still known from pre-war times. Much later in the third generation of models, the Kadett C coupe with its technology and colour scheme will become a legend.
As far as design is concerned, Opel clearly follows the American which, however, applies to car companies as well which do not belong to an american group, e.g., Mercedes. The is valid for the superclass. Already since 1916 there were straight-6 and since 1928, with the Opel Regent, even straight-8 engines for a short while. Already shortly before the war there were big Opels called 'Admiral' and 'Kapitän' and these names re-appear afterwards. 1964 brings three models with significantly more space and straight design. Again a modified straight-6 enters the market and the 'Diplomat' even carries a Chevrolet V8-engine. Four years later the De Dion axis replaces single wheel suspension. There is another new straight-6 engine by that time with overhead camshaft and electronic fuel injection. The following models derive from the KAD series: a 'Diplomat' coupe, an extended version, a coupe from the Bitter company and a coupe prototype as a Mercedes C111 competitor during the 1969 motor show. 05/12
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Translator: Don Leslie - Email: lesdon@t-online.de