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Comparison: 40 years of Opel coupes

Sometimes our tests are the result of mere chance. In the case of these three classic Opels, there were three vicissitudes that made them perfect for a comparative article, since all three are from different decades and they all have two-door “coupe” bodies.

But mainly there is the fact that they reside in the same town, a question that must be taken into account when it comes to bringing them together for a photo shoot. This is not easy at all, much less in Spain, where these three "import" models are really difficult to find, even separately.

In addition to all the above, these three Opel they are perfectly comparable. The oldest is a 1.8 Regent from 1933, the medium one is an Olympia Rekord from 1953 and the most modern is a Commodore GS / E from 1977. Before going into more in-depth considerations, it should be noted that both the Regent and the Commodore mount engines. 6-cylinder in-line, while under the hood of the Olympia Rekord there is a small in-line 4.

comparative opel coupe
Although the oldest and the smallest are 40 years old, these three Opel coupes are perfectly comparable

However, if during the 30s and 70s the extensive range Opel It offered 4 and 6 cylinder coupes, in the 50s there was no option in the Opel catalog to purchase a 6 cylinder coupe. In the years of "German miracle", After the devastation of World War II, the Opel range was limited to two models: The top one was the Kapitan, which fitted a hexa-cylinder but was only offered as a 4-door saloon, and below was the Olympia Rekord, model of our pictures.

Even so, at that time, and especially in our country, the Olympic record In the 50s it was a family vehicle that could almost be considered "luxury" given the low purchasing power of the population and restrictions on car imports.

Therefore, if the first owners of the Regent of 1933 or the Commodore 1977 must have been of a wealthy class and high purchasing power, no less fortunate must have been who in 1953 premiered in Spain an Olympia Rekord, year in which by the way 400 Opel vehicles were registered in our country, adding all the models.

comparative opel coupe
For Spain, it was three luxury coupes

American infulas

Once the "not so remarkable" difference that we could find between our three contenders has been explained, it must be explained that they have in common the curious characteristic that for so many years made Opel world famous, and that it is none other than that. so american air but in European size.

This is so because the venerable family firm Adam Opél, founded in Germany in 1862 and which manufactured its first automobile in 1899, it was acquired in 1929 by the American giant General Motors, for many years the most successful automobile holding company in the world.

With this measure, Opel underwent a profound transformation. To begin with, it went from being a family business to becoming a public limited company under the protection of a multinational, with which, in addition to the management facilities, there was the brand accessing the patents registered by General Motors.

From that moment on, Opel shared technical and stylistic characteristics with other products of the group such as the English Vauxhall - a brand that General Motors had also acquired in 1929 - but above all with some Chevrolet destined for the American market from the 60's.

comparative opel coupe
A similar philosophy animated the coupes of the German brand for 40 years. Let's go to see her…

Regent, a rather rare coupe

Much earlier, in January 1931, the first model of the German brand designed from Detroit was presented, which was none other than the Regent 1.8 Liter of 6 cylinders and 1.790 cc to which the green copy of our photographs belongs. As corresponded to all that first batch of Opel "American people" -Which also included the small 4-cylinder called 1.2 Liter-, this car sports a front practically traced to the Oldsmobile of 1930 and 1931.

Both the rounded design of the radiator and the double bars that support the headlights are traced to those American models, and yet its reduced size - 2,540 m in battle - or the sober coupe bodywork are markedly European in style. The one in the photos corresponds to the second series of the 1.8 Liter presented in 1932, specifically to the "98 C" with three gears, which was produced with this body. in just 600 units. We are therefore faced with a rarity, unique in Spain - here again it cost 10.800 pesetas - and very difficult to find even in his native Germany.

El Opel regent It was registered in Barcelona in 1933 and presents a very original condition, although in the restoration that was carried out in the early 90s, the radiator grille was painted black - it was originally chrome - or those oversized mirrors were put on. In any case, its current owner, Daniel Bernardino, has spent a few years working on restoring an appearance as close to the original as possible, apart from having given a recent general review of the mechanics.

opel 1.8 liter 1931
The Opel Regent is beautifully maintained by its owner, who is gradually managing to restore its originality

Olympia Rekord, the leap in quality

Exactly 20 years later, in 1953, Opel presented its all-new Olympia Record. It was the first line model "pontoon" of the brand, which came to replace the old-fashioned Olympia -shortly-, the base model of the range that had been presented back in 1937.

While this new model retained the 4cc 1.488-cylinder powerplant of its predecessor, everything else was a significant qualitative leap for the brand. Its self-supporting body was designed "in the latest fashion", with a very clear american influence in all the details. Its rounded lines were practically a scaled-down copy of the Chevrolet of that time, although the “toothy” front is considered an influence of the huge Buick of the 50, also a product of General Motors.

Opel Rekord coupe 1950
Olympia Rekord pontoon line, and very American

Even the bodywork was full of chrome trim and the gear lever was already positioned behind the wheel on the steering column, just as American fashion dictated at the time. But nevertheless, its size was still reduced -with a wheelbase of only 2,487 m- and its tiny wheels with 5,60 x13 tires are striking.

This first series of the Opel Olympic record it remained in production until 1957. It was offered with two-door sedan bodies –the model we have photographed-, cabriolet and van, although each year of production notable changes were made to the front design, which produced a "Planned obesity" very in vogue in the United States at that time but nevertheless bothered European customers.

The tested unit has barely rolled since it was registered in Ciudad Real in January 1954, and as a restoration it only needed periodic tune-ups and a coat of paint. Given its high degree of originality, we can only put it as a drawback that the lampshades of the rear lights -originally chrome- are now painted in the black of the body, as well as those tires without a white band and with a modern pattern that do not correspond to them.

opel rekord coupe
Highly original today, in its day the Olympia Rekord was frequently 'out of date', something that annoyed European clientele

Commodore, the Opel Mustang

Another two decades later, in the 70s, Opel was living a glorious time with a very wide range, good sales and sporting successes. The products of the Rüsselsheim brand had already enjoyed a good reputation for many years. robustness and sobriety Germanic but at the same time they offered some successful "American" designs that were very fashionable at the time.

Thus, in the 70s, anyone who approached an Opel dealer could find nothing less than 7 different models, that covered all possible segments. It started with little Kadett, followed by the Ascona. Later, the intermediate Rekord, whose deluxe version was the commodore.

opel rekord coupe
The Commodore could easily stand up to its BMW equivalent

The model that we bring to this report corresponds to the Commodore of the second series or "B" manufactured between 1972 and 1977, so we do not break the rule of going "from 20 to 20 years." The Commodore was introduced in 1967 as the luxury version of the Rekord, with a 6-cylinder engine, a larger body and more equipment. It was offered in 4-door and Coupé bodies, the latter thought of as a Great Tourism.

This B-series could easily stand up to the BMW coupé equivalents, especially the GS / E version "Top of the range", the only one that had a 2.8 engine with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic injection and power steering as standard.

Its powerful 6-cylinder in-line engine produced the not inconsiderable sum of 160 hp, and for this reason and despite the fact that the Opel Kadett and Manta were already triumphing in rallies of that time, the Commodore also made his first steps in the sports field.

Interestingly, the award-winning pilot Walter Rohrl He took his first steps in rallying behind the wheel of a Commodore GS from 1973, and shortly after he “debuted” at Rallye Monte Carlo that same year at the wheel of a GS / E like the one in the photographs, finishing in 45th place overall, but first in its category.

opel commodore coupe
This Commodore has traveled very few kilometers. Also, it is not as big as it seems.

The photographed specimen belongs to the Antonio Cárdenas collection and presents an unusual, absolutely original condition without the slightest restoration. Registered in Madrid in February 1977, it has had only two owners and has traveled very few kilometers since new, which explains its fabulous state.

This unit has the characteristic orange-black combination that featured in the Commodore catalogs and advertisements, and features various extras of the time such as headlight washers, vinyl roof or alloy wheels with 195 / 70R14 tires. Of course, despite its greater overall packaging, with its 2,688 meters between axles it is not too far from the size of its two brothers.

At the wheel yes we will find some major differences. Age matters, and the 1933 Regent is undoubtedly rougher and its stability is compromised by its suspensions and narrow track width, while the Olympia Rekord has that unmistakable 'fifties' feel where everything is soft and comfortable. but without offering any strong sensation. The Commodore has a more stately feel, mixed with a sporty feel stick and a wonderful, powerful engine.


comparative-opel-coupe-39

Cutline
At the wheel there are differences, but they all have their charm

What do you think?

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Written by Francisco Carrion

My name is Francisco Carrión and I was born in Ciudad Real in 1988, a place that was not at first akin to vintage cars. Fortunately my grandfather, dedicated to the automotive sector, had friends who owned veteran cars and participated in the annual rally that was held (and continues to be held) in my hometown ... Read more

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