Opel Rekord

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Opel Rekord is an executive car from the German automaker Opel.

1 Opel Olympia Rekord (1953–57)
2 Opel Rekord P I (July 1957 – July 1960)
3 Opel Rekord P II (1960–63)
4 Opel Rekord A (1963–65)
5 Opel Rekord B (1966–67)
6 Opel Rekord C (1967–71)
7 Opel Rekord D (1972–77)
- 7.1 UK Models
8 Opel Rekord E (1977–86)
- 8.1 UK Models
9 External links

[edit] Opel Olympia Rekord (1953–57)

A 1955 Opel Rekord Cabriocoach.

The Opel Olympia Rekord was introduced in March 1953 as successor to the Opel Olympia, a pre-war design dating back to 1935. The Opel Olympia Rekord was built until 1957 in four different versions. Around 580.000 units were produced.

1953/54: 1488 cc, 40 hp (DIN). Available as two-door sedan, cabriolet-sedan and station wagon ("Caravan"). Price in Germany: DM 6.410 to 6.710. 136.028 units.

1955: 1488 cc, 40 hp (DIN). Mild facelift, comprising larger rear window, new grill insert. New base model called simply "Olympia"; sedan delivery introduced. Price in Germany: DM 5.850 to 6.710. 131.586 units.

1956: 1488 cc, 45 hp (DIN). New grill insert, bumpers now without guards. Price in Germany: DM 5.410 to 6.560. 144.587 units.

1957: 1488 cc, 45 hp (DIN). New grill insert again, flatter roof, chrome strips along belt line. The cabriolet-sedan was no longer part of the line. Prices in Germany: DM 5.510 to 6.560. 169.721 units.

General data: wheelbase 97.9, length 166.9, width 64, height 61 inches, curb weight 2020 to 2200 lb, top speed 73–76 mph.

[edit] Opel Rekord P I (July 1957 – July 1960)

A 1958 Opel Rekord.

The P I had a slightly larger, more modern body with wraparound windscreen and backlight and remained in production until 1960. A semi-automatic gearbox ("Olymat") became available for model year 1959, and a 1.7 L engine for model year 1960.

1958–59: 1488 cc, 45 hp (DIN). Available as two-door "Olympia" base model or more luxurious two-door "Olympia Rekord" and as three-door station wagon ("Caravan") a sedan delivery. Price in Germany: DM 5.785 to 6.845. 509.110 units.

1959: 1488 ccm, 45 hp (DIN), on request 1680 cc, 55 hp (DIN). Also available as four-door sedan. Several refinements, padded dashboard, ignition lock, electrically driven windscreen wipers. The new base model "Opel 1200" replaced the former "Olympia" (1196 40 hp (DIN), DM 5.835); the 1200 remained in production until December 1962, while the P I was superseded in August 1960 by the Rekord P II.

Price in Germany: DM 6.545 to 7.110. 307.000 units (P I) + 67.952 units (1200). In 1959–60, Autenrieth of Darmstadt (Germany) converted P I two-door sedans to coupes and cabriolets, in very limited numbers. Prices were DM 9.380 for the coupe and DM 11.180 for the convertible.

General data: wheelbase 100, length 174.9, width 63.6, height 58.7 inches, curb weight 2010–2210 lb, top speed 74–82 mph.

For more details, see http://www.opel-p1.nl

[edit] Opel Rekord P II (1960–63)

Opel Rekord P II.

The Rekord P II grew again in size, if not in wheelbase, and received a totally new body that did away with wraparound windows. It was available in several body versions: 2-door and 4-door sedan, a 3-door caravan and delivery van, a pick-up, and a convertible. From August 1961 on, a works coupe became available, and in June 1962 a more luxurious L version was added with a new top engine of 1700 S and a higher compression ratio. The latest versions had an optional four-speed gearbox.

Prices in Germany: DM 6.545 to 7.770. 787.684 units. Autenrieth continued to sell a handful of convertibles at DM 11.635.

General data: 1488 cc, 50 hp (DIN), or 1680 cc, 55 hp (DIN) or 1680 cc, 60 hp (DIN). Wheelbase 100, length 177.8, width 64.3, height 58.6 inches; curb weight 2075–2240 lb; top speed 77–87 mph.

[edit] Opel Rekord A (1963–65)

Opel Rekord A

The Rekord A line-up was a repeat of the Rekord P II (two- and four-door sedan, two-door station wagon and sedan delivery, two-door coupe with 1500 or 1700 or 1700 S engines), but the bodies were completely new and the wheelbase stretched to 103.3 inches. March 1964 saw the introduction of the Rekord L-6 with the Opel Kapitän's 2.6 liter inline-six.

Prices in Germany: DM 6.830 to 9.370; front disc brakes: + DM 200, four-speed with floor shift: + DM 180. 885.292 units. In very limited numbers, Karl Deutsch of Cologne sold a convertible version with either 1700 S or 2600 engine at DM 11.765 and 13.060 resp.

General data: 1488 cc, 55 hp (DIN), or 1680 cc, 60 or 67 hp (DIN), or 2605 cc, 100 hp (DIN). Wheelbase 103.9, length 178, width 66.8, height 57.7 inches; curb weight 2140–2510 lb; top speed 81–104 mph.

[edit] Opel Rekord B (1966–67)

Opel Rekord B

While the Rekord B consisted of only a mild facelift compared to the A, it received Opel's new, more oversquare four cylinder CIH (cam in head) engines (1500, 1700 S, 1900 S). The CIH engines were used in all subsequent Rekord generations until 1986, when Rekord was replaced by Omega. The 2600 cc six-cylinder engine remained unchanged. The line-up was identical to the Rekord A.

Prices in Germany: DM 6.980 to 9.570; power brakes: + DM 95, automatic gearbox: + 950, four speed gearbox: + 95. 296.771 units.

General data: 1492 cc, 60 hp (DIN), or 1698 cc, 75 hp (DIN), or 1897 cc, 90 hp (DIN), or 2605 cc, 100 hp (DIN). Wheelbase 103.9, length 178.3, width 66.6, height 56.7 inches; curb weight from 2190 lb; top speed 83–104 mph.

[edit] Opel Rekord C (1967–71)

Opel Rekord C

With 1.276.681 units built, the Rekord C was the most successful Rekord so far. The car proved to be a solid hit with the public: it was reliable, roomy and pleasant to look at with its swoopy coke-bottle line. The line consisted of the two- and four-door sedan, two- and (new) four-door station wagon, sedan delivery, and two-door hardtop coupe with 1500, 1700, 1700 S, 1900 S fours or (until 1968) a 2200 six. Very short-lived (1967 only) was a special cab version on a longer wheelbase (113 inch) with division, that sold for DM 9.950; with it, Opel tried to get a foothold in the German cab market, then (as now) dominated by Mercedes-Benz. Again, Karl Deutsch of Cologne offered a convertible version in limited numbers.

There existed several variations of the Rekord C, as well as version made under different names in different countries.

One interesting variation on the Rekord C was the Rekord Sprint coupé (1967–71) with driving lights, sport steel wheels, sport stripes and a decidedly sporty interior; the Sprint received exclusively the so-called 1900 H engine with two double-barrel carburetors, good for 106 hp (DIN) and 108 mph.
The former Rekord L-6 was replaced by the new Commodore A, a slightly disguised and better-equipped Rekord C available as two- and four-door sedan and hardtop coupe with six cylinder engines only.
In addition, several more units were built under the name of Ranger. This was partly an excuse to boost up production of GM Continental, N.V.'s plant in the Netherlands (although there could be a possibility that it was built at GM Continental, N.V.'s plant in Antwerp, Belgium). Initially, there were two models: Ranger 130 and Ranger 153. In 1970, the Ranger 1900 and Ranger 2500 were added. Around 1971, an SS version of the 153 was added. The models were named according to the engine size, with some of the engines also found in the Rekord and from elsewhere in the Opel engine stable. These cars were sold in Continental Europe and exported to South Africa.
The Rekord C was also built as the Chevrolet Opala and Comodoro in Brazil from 1968 on, available in sedan, coupé and station wagon form and featuring either Chevrolet's 2.5 L four or 4.1 L inline-six. These models received several facelifts and remained in production until about 1992.
A Rekord C coupe was locally-built in South Africa as a Chevrolet SS during the 1970s^[1].
The first Holden Monaro (1968-70) was based on the Rekord C.

Prices in Germany (1966): DM 7.630 to 9.560; Sprint (1967): DM 9.775.

General data: 1492 cc, 58, later 60 hp (DIN), 1698 cc, 60, later 66 hp (DIN), 1698 cc, 75 hp (DIN), 1897 cc, 90 hp (DIN), 1897 cc, 106 hp (DIN), 2239 cc, 95 hp (DIN); wheelbase 105, length 180, width 69.1, height 57.5 inches; curb weight 2265–2585 lb; top speed 81–108 mph.

[edit] Opel Rekord D (1972–77)

Opel Rekord D

About 1.1 million Rekord Ds were made. Because the name Rekord D was easily mistaken to connote a diesel-powered car, the name Rekord II was often used in sales literature. The first prototype was ready in 1971. The engine types available were 1897 cc, 1698 cc and 2068 cc CIH (cam-in-head) four-cylinder gasoline engines. There was also a diesel version with an engine whose displacement was initially 2.1 liters and after reduced to 2.0 liters. The diesel engine was higher than gasoline variants, so diesel model hoods have a raised mid-section. The six-cylinder variant of this car is called the Commodore B. Transmissions available were standard four-speed manual with either floor or steering-column shifter and TH-180 automatic transmission. The body is of unitary construction. Body types available were four-door salon, four-door estate and two-door coupe. There was also a variant called "Berlina" with more luxurious interior and wheels.

The Rangers were also transferred to this new generation, with the dropping of the 130 and 153 and the adding of a 1.7L engine. In 1972, the lineup consisted of the base Ranger 1700, the mid-level Ranger 1900, and the top-of-the-line Ranger 2500. In 1974, a 2.8L engine was introduced to the Ranger family. However, by that time the Rangers were unpopular, and were discontinued after the 1976 model year. Most of these were sold exclusively in Continental Europe, especially the Benelux region.

South Africa used this body type for their Chevrolet 2500, 3800 and 4100 series. They looked visually almost identical but had the Chevrolet 2500 (4 cylinder) or 3800 and 4100 (6 cylinder) engines installed. They were available as four door sedan or stationwagon. The six cylinder versions could be differentiated from the 'fours' as they had four round headlights as opposed to the two rectangular units.

[edit] UK Models

Types	Years	Body Style	Engine	Transmission
Rekord	1972–1975	2-door Saloon 4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	4-cyl 1897cc Petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord L	1972–1975	2-door Saloon 4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	4-cyl 1897cc Petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Berlina	1975–1977	4-door Saloon	4-cyl 1956cc Petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Diesel	1975–1977	4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	4-cyl 2068cc Diesel	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord L Diesel	1975–1977	4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	4-cyl 2068cc Diesel	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic

[edit] Opel Rekord E (1977–86)

Opel Rekord E

Manufacturer	Opel
Production	1977–1986
Predecessor	Opel Rekord D
Successor	Opel Omega
Class	Full-size
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door stationwagon
Platform	FR
Related	Holden Commodore Opel Commodore Vauxhall Carlton Vauxhall Viceroy

The E model can be subdivided into Rekord EI (1977–82) and Rekord EII (1982–86). Over 1.4 million units were made.

A version of the EI was sold by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom as the Carlton, which featured the distinct 'droop snoot' front end shared with the Chevette and Cavalier. After the release of the EII in 1982, Vauxhall Carltons were distinguishable from Opel Rekords only by their badging, with no sheet metal changes. Models sold in the United Kingdom had 2.0 petrol and 2.3 diesel engines in Base, Berlina and Berlina S trim levels.

The Rekord EI was the basis of the original 1978 Holden VB Commodore. However, to cope with Australian conditions it was strengthened substantially and used the Senator's nose (like the Opel Commodore) to accommodate the Holden straight-6 and V8 engines.

In South Africa the model was sold as a Chevrolet until 1982, when it was rebadged as an Opel. Delta Motor Corporation, which bought out GM's South African subsidiary after it divested from the country in 1986, produced EII model until the early 1990s. Later South African Rekords featured the Opel badge above the grille, similar to the smaller Kadett.

A version of the Rekord, known as the Royale, was produced by Daewoo in South Korea, featuring the front end of the larger Senator.

[edit] UK Models

Type	Years Available	Body Styles	Engines	Transmissions
Rekord	1978–1980	4-door Saloon	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord DL	1978–1980	5-door Estate	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Berlina	1978–1980	4-door Saloon	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord S	1980–1982	4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Berlina HL	1978–1980	4-door Saloon	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Berlina S	1980–1982	4-door Saloon	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Berlina CD	1978–1982	4-door Saloon	2.0 4cyl 1979cc petrol	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Diesel DL	1978–1980	4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	2.3 4cyl 2260cc diesel	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Rekord Diesel	1980–1982	4-door Saloon 5-door Estate	2.3 4cyl 2260cc diesel	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic

[edit] External links

	Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, road car timeline, 1947-1979 v • d • e																												Next ->
Type	1940s			1950s										1960s										1970s
	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Small family car																Kadett A				Kadett B								Kadett C
	Olympia							Olympia Rekord													Olympia
Large family car												Rekord PI			Rekord PII								Ascona A							Ascona B
Executive car																	Rekord A		Rekord B		Rekord C					Rekord D					Rekord E
		Kapitän						Kapitän				Kapitän PI/PII									Commodore A					Commodore B					Comdr C
Luxury car																			Kapitän A/ Admiral A/ Diplomat A					Kapitän B/ Admiral B/ Diplomat B								Senator/ Monza
Coupé/ Roadster																						GT
																								Manta I						Manta II