Opel Blitz
Opel Blitz was the name given to various German light and middle-weight trucks built by Opel between 1930 and 1975.
During the years preceding the Second World War Opel was Germany's largest truck producer.
History
The Blitz name (German for lightning) was first applied to an Opel truck in 1930 and by 1934 there were four base versions offered of the 1 tonne model along with fourteen versions of the larger 2/2½ tonne trucks.
From 1939 onwards the 3-ton version was used frequently throughout World War II, among other things as service vehicle for the Messerschmitt Me 323.
A half-tracked version, using tracks and suspension based on that used on the Universal Carrier, was also produced as the Opel Maultier (mule). In Europe this truck was considered General Motors contribution to German successes.[1][2] It is also argued that Opel, a subsidiary of GM, used forced labor to reap unprecedented profits.[3] However, to what degree GM controlled Opel at the time can be argued, but it is clear that GM did in fact play a role in giving Nazi Germany the Opel Blitz truck.[4]
Successor
From 1973 to 1987 a successor vehicle[citation needed] produced by Bedford Vehicles of Luton, and based on the Bedford CF, was sold in some markets as the "Bedford Blitz".
Gallery
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A 1950s version.
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The head of a 1960 version.
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A 1965 version.
References
- ↑ http://media.gm.com/content/media/intl/en/history/1920-1929.brand_opel.html
- ↑ http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QfsPuodL3xIC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=Opel+and+GM&ots=k9UKRWLNDP&sig=qv9uCQ_tLm00JGICk-KaL4S987Y#v=onepage&q=Opel%20and%20GM&f=false
- ↑ http://books.google.com/books?id=fHYh1QxFnFwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Opel+and+GM&lr=&source=gbs_similarbooks_s&cad=1#v=onepage&q=Opel%20and%20GM&f=false
- ↑ http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ij7xEul8FDEC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Opel+and+GM&ots=aTkzsQ0Rnp&sig=Z35lKb7feE71eweTQafSME05wEE#v=onepage&q=Opel%20and%20GM&f=false
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Blitz. |
- This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.
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