Opel Admiral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Opel Admiral | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Opel |
| Production | 1937–1939 1964–1977 |
| Predecessor | Opel Super Six |
| Successor | Opel Senator |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 4-door cabriolet |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Opel Diplomat Opel Kapitän |
The Opel Admiral was a luxury car made by the German car manufacturer Opel from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1964 to 1977.
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[edit] Admiral (1937–39)
| Admiral | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 1937–1939 |
| Engine(s) | 3.6 litre straight-6 |
| Length | 5270 mm (207.5 in) |
| Width | 1800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Height | 1630 mm (64.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1605 kg (3538 lb) |
The first Admiral was introduced in 1937 as an attempt to challenge large luxury cars from Horch, Mercedes-Benz and Maybach. It was available as a 4-door saloon or cabriolet. The car was equipped with a 3.6 litre straight 6 with a top speed of 132 km/h (82 mph). The production of the Admiral was cancelled in 1939 when the Opel factory started producing war material.
[edit] Admiral A (1964–68)
| Admiral A | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 1964–1968 |
| Engine(s) | 2.6 litre straight-6, 100 PS (99 hp) 2.8 litre straight-6, 125-140 PS (123-138 hp) 4.6 litre V8, 190 PS (187 hp) |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide-automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2845 mm (112 in) |
| Length | 4948 mm (194.8 in) |
| Width | 1902 mm (74.9 in) |
| Height | 1630 mm (64.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1445 kg (3186 lb) |
In 1964 Opel introduced its KAD (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat) models. The Admiral served as the middle model in this three-car range and was equipped with either a 2.6 litre straight-6 of 100 PS/99 hp providing a top speed of 158 km/h (98 mph), or, on request from September 1965, with a 2.8 liter-straight six of 125 PS/123 hp, that made the car reach a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Additionally, the Admiral could be equipped with the Chevrolet-sourced 4.6 l-V8 also used in the Opel Diplomat. In late 1967 a new two-barrel HL version of the 2.8 l six (140 PS/138 hp) was introduced. At the same time, all KAD models received rub strips on their flanks, a reworked ZF recirculating ball steering and a collapsible steering column.
From 1964 to 1968, Opel produced a total of 55,876 Admirals (out of a grand total of 89,277 KAD cars, making the Admiral by far the most popular of the three).
[edit] Admiral B (1969–77)
| Admiral B | |
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| Production | 1969–1977 |
| Engine(s) | 2.8 litre straight-6, 129-165 PS (127-163 hp) |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2845 mm (112 in) |
| Length | 4907 mm (193.2 in) |
| Width | 1852 mm (72.9 in) |
| Height | 1450 mm (57.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1475 kg (3251.8 lb) |
The Admiral B was introduced in 1969 together with the new Kapitän and Diplomat. While the Kapitän was discontinued after May 1970, Admiral and Diplomat survived until 1977; they were replaced by the Senator in 1978.
Over the whole production run, the Admiral B was available exclusively with a 2.8 liter-inline six in either 1-bbl (132 PS/130 hp; Opel Admiral) or 2-bbl (145 PS/143 hp; Opel Admiral 2800 S) form or with fuel injection (165 PS/163 hp; Opel Admiral E). All engines could be paired with a 4-speed manual or with Opel's own 3-speed automatic transmission. From January 1972 the manual was no longer available with the Admiral E, leaving the automatic as the only choice. For the model year 1975, the six was reworked and downrated to 129/140/160 PS in a move to reduce emissions.
Opel built about 33,000 Admiral B models from 1969 to 1977.
[edit] Sources
- Werner Oswald, Deutsche Autos 1945-1975. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1975. ISBN 3-87943-371-8.
- KAD Historie
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