What do you think what car people drive in Germany the are came to a certain level of prosperity after the war? Mercedes? Wrong! They drive Opel, namely the model Kaptitän. The Daimler-Benz AG desperately strive to defy with the 220 A, but the difference in purchase price is too high. Instance, Opel sells at model time two and a half times more cars (61 543 to 25 937).

Of course, the real upper class buyers still rely on Mercedes. But not just the climbers. The simplified version of the Mercedes 220, the 219 comes out in 1956, but there is the Opel already developed further. In general, the influenced American model policy probably underlie that one purchases every year or at least all two years a new car.

Nevertheless, the 1954 Opel Kapitän seems a little precious. Have a look at this metal dashboard. It must appear the Germans, not spoiled by luxury after the war, as the incarnation of luxury. Although at this time in Europe at least, still not much little electrical helpers are common.

Watches in the speedometer are mechanical and must be wound up regularly, wipers are driven (with the Kapitän at any rate) by the crankshaft. Additional air supply is controlled by hand, also the possible shutoff by a radiator blind in winter. There the frequent sight on the engine temperature is particularly important.

It is the time of mechanics. Electrical components are expensive, especially electric motors. Although there are enough vehicles with 12V systems at this time, it has 6 V and just 6 fused circuits. Nevertheless, one notices the car the know how of American car production.

Are highly praised the very elastic, quiet engine and the relatively unproblematic suspension. This is even more remarkable, as one takes with a soft spring system consideration for the still quite broken road network. For the class it has also manageable running costs. The Opel more likely shares the garage with smaller models, in contrast to the Mercedes. 11/11