Opel Rekord

"Rekord" redirects here. For the bandy club, see Rekord Irkutsk. For other meanings, see Record (disambiguation).
Opel Rekord
Overview
Manufacturer Opel (General Motors)
Production 1953–1986
Body and chassis
Class large family car (1953–1972)
executive car (1972–1986)
Body style 4-door saloon,
2-door saloon,
3-door station wagon,
5-door station wagon,
3-door van,
2-door convertible
Chronology
Predecessor Opel Olympia
Successor Opel Omega

The Opel Rekord was a large family car/executive car which was built in eight generations by the German car manufacturer Opel. Between 1953 and 1986, approximately ten million were sold.

In 1986, the Rekord was replaced by the Opel Omega.

Naming

The Rekord name evolved into the main name of the model; at first the name was used in close relationship with the Opel Olympia name, which pre-dated the Rekord but was also re-instated in a separate model in 1967.

The various generations are described here with the manufacturer's, or other commonly used designations such as "Rekord P I" or "Rekord B". The car was not badged with these additional appellations.

Olympia Rekord (1953–1957)

Main article: Opel Olympia Rekord

The Opel Olympia Rekord was introduced in March 1953 as successor to the Opel Olympia, a pre-World War II design dating back to 1935. The Opel Olympia Rekord was built until 1957 in four different versions. Around 580,000 units were produced. Styling of the 1953-54 sedans resembled scaled-down versions of the contemporary Chevrolet in the U.S. Both cars were of course, products of General Motors.

General data:

Rekord P I (July 1957 – July 1960)

The Opel Rekord P1 had a slightly larger, more modern body with wraparound windscreen and rear screen, introducing to Germany the latest American fashion of two-tone paintwork.[1]

The standard model was sold as the Opel Olympia Rekord, while a reduced specification version was marketed simply as the Opel Olympia and widely known, less formally, as the "Bauern-Buick" (Peasant's Buick).[1]

A new base version with an 1196 cc engine appeared in 1959 badged more simply as the Opel 1200, and replacing the Opel Olympia.

A semi-automatic gearbox ("Olymat") became available for model year 1959. Initially the car retained the 1488 cc, 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp) of its predecessor: this was complemented by a 1680 cc, 55 PS;L engine[1] for model year 1960.

The PI remained in production until 1960.

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 coupés and cabriolets, in very limited numbers. Prices were DM 9,380 for the coupé and DM 11,180 for the convertible.

General data:

Rekord P II (1960–1963)

Main article: Opel Rekord P2

The Rekord P II grew 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 saloon, a 3-door estate ("Caravan") plus delivery van, a pick-up, and a convertible. From August 1961 on, a works coupé became available, and in June 1962 a more luxurious "L" version was added with a new top engine of 1700 cc "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 made. Autenrieth continued to sell a handful of convertibles at DM 11,635.

General data:

Rekord A (1963–1965)

Main article: Opel Rekord Series A

The Rekord A line-up was a repeat of the Rekord P II (two- and four-door saloon, two-door estate and delivery van, two-door coupé with 1500 or 1700 or 1700 S engines), but the bodies were completely new and the wheelbase stretched to 103.3 inches (2,620 mm). March 1964 saw the introduction of the Rekord L-6 with the Opel Kapitän's 2.6-litre 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 respectively.

General data:

Rekord B (1965–1966)

Main article: Opel Rekord Series 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 the Opel Omega. The 2,600 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:

Rekord C (1967–1971)

Rekord C
Overview
Production 1967–1971
Body and chassis
Class Full-size
Body style 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
3-door stationwagon
5-door stationwagon
2-door coupe
3-door van
Layout FR layout
Related Opel Commodore
Chevrolet Opala
Powertrain
Transmission 3-speed manual
4-speed all-synchromesh manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 105 in (2,700 mm)
Length 181 in (4,600 mm)
Width 69.25 in (1,759 mm)
Height 56.1 in (1,420 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Opel Rekord B
Successor Opel Rekord D
Main article: Opel Rekord Series 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 coke-bottle line.

The range consisted of the two- and four-door saloon, two- and (new) four-door estate, delivery van, and two-door hardtop coupé with 1500, 1700, 1700 S, 1900 S fours or (until 1968) a 2200 six. Very short-lived (1967 only) was a special taxi 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 taxi 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.

A variation on the Rekord C was the Rekord Sprint coupé (1967–71) with driving lights, sport steel wheels, sport stripes and a sporty interior; the Sprint received exclusively the so-called 1900 H engine with two double-barrel carburettors, good for 106 PS (78 kW; 105 hp) and 108 mph (174 km/h).

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 coupé with six-cylinder engines only.

It was during the life of this model (in fact 1967–70) that the Opel Olympia name was revived, but in a separate, smaller car which was based on the period Opel Kadett.

Due to the launch of the smaller Ascona in September 1970, the Rekord was marketed as an executive car rather than a large family car.

Ranger

The Ranger was a Rekord-based range built at the Opel Continental plant in Antwerp, Belgium, for the overall European market. Styling was similar to the Rekord, although the Ranger had a four-headlamp grille setup, similar to the Vauxhall Victor FD range of the time. Initially, there were two models: Ranger 130 and Ranger 153. In 1970 additional models were announced, being the Ranger 1900 and Ranger 2500, and a "SS" variant, based on the Ranger 153.

There was also a South African Ranger, built in General Motors South Africa's plant Port Elizabeth. Known as 'South Africa's Own Car', it featured a springbok logo on its grille, and was also produced as a station wagon.

Other markets

The Rekord C was built Chevrolet Opala and Comodoro in Brazil from 1968 on, available in saloon, coupé and estate forms and featuring either Chevrolet's 2.5 L four, 3.8 L inline-six or 4.1 L inline-six. These models received several facelifts and remained in production until about 1992.

A Rekord C coupé was locally built in South Africa as a Ranger SS during the 1970s.[2]

Prices in Germany (1966): DM 7,630 to 9,560; Sprint (1967): DM 9,775.

The Rekord C was marketed in Mexico as Opel Rekord Olimpico; due to the 1968 Olympic Games. Corsa, Astra and others were sold under Chevrolet during the 1990s and first decade of the 21s century.

General data:

Rekord D (1972–1977)

Rekord D
Overview
Also called Chevrolet Iran (IR)[3]
Shinjin Record (ROK)
Ranger 1700 (CH / ZA / B)
Ranger 1900 (CH / ZA / B)
Ranger 2500 (CH / ZA / B)
Production 1972–1977
Body and chassis
Class Full-size
Body style 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
5-door stationwagon
2-door coupe
3-door van
Layout FR layout
Related Opel Commodore,
Vauxhall Victor FE
Dimensions
Wheelbase 105 in (2,700 mm)
Length 179.75 in (4,566 mm)
Width 67.375 in (1,711.3 mm)
Height 55.375 in (1,406.5 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Opel Rekord C
Successor Opel Rekord E
Main article: Opel Rekord Series 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 litres and afterwards reduced to 2.0 litres. The diesel engine was higher than gasoline variants, so diesel model hoods have a raised midsection. 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 saloon, four-door estate and two-door coupé. 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 1.7 L engine. In 1972, the line-up 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 saloon or estate. The six-cylinder versions could be differentiated from the "fours" as they had four round headlights as opposed to the two rectangular units.

These cars were also assembled in Iran (before revolution) from 1974 till 1977 under the local "Chevrolet Royale / or Chevrolet Iran" brand-name by Iran General Motors. The two models were 2500 and 2800 with 2.5L and 2.8L, respectively.The production of these vehicles ended in 1977 when the assembly line started producing the Chevrolet Nova, Buick Skylark, and Cadillac Seville cars until 1987.

Rekord E (1977–1986)

Rekord Series E
Overview
Manufacturer Opel
Production 1977–1986
Assembly Rüsselsheim
Body and chassis
Class large family car
Layout FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor Opel Rekord Series D
Successor Opel Omega
Main article: Opel Rekord Series E

The E model can be subdivided into Rekord E1 (1977–82) and Rekord E2 (1982–86). Over 1.4 million units were made. The Rekord E was available as a two- or four-door sedan, and as a three- or five-door Caravan (station wagon). In some markets where the tax structure was suitable, a three-door van version was also available.

A version of the Rekord E was sold by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom from 1979 as the Carlton, with a droop snoot. The differences in appearance vanished following the 1982 facelift. The E1 model was also sold in South Africa, initially as the Chevrolet Rekord, before being rebranded as an Opel in 1982, remaining in production until 1984. The E2 model remained in production in South Africa until the early 1990s, and was also available with a V6 engine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Modellchronik des Opel Rekord von 1953 bis 1960". Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft 24 1977: Seite 58. 23 November 1977.
  2. ↑ Chevrolet SS – a History
  3. ↑ http://web.parskhodro.ir/pdf/Parskhodro%20history.pdf

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Rekord.
« previous Opel car timeline, 1947–1979 next »
Class 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789
Small family car Kadett A Kadett B Kadett C
Olympia Olympia A
Large family car Olympia Rekord Rekord P1 Rekord P2 Ascona A Ascona B
Rekord A Rekord B Rekord C Rekord D Rekord E
Executive car Commodore A Commodore B Commodore C
Luxury vehicle Admiral Kapitan Diplomat Senator
Sports car Manta A Manta B
GT
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City car Agila A Agila B Karl
Adam
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Ampera
Large family car Ascona B Ascona C Vectra A Vectra B Vectra C / Signum Insignia
Executive car Rekord E / Commodore C Omega A Omega B
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