Another extra-long convoy of Opel Kadetts being hauled by Convoy N-Series Ford #341 in Portland, OR. The Kadett was enjoying its stay in the number two selling import slot behind the VW Beetle, and would for a couple of more years before being tossed on its head by Bob Lutz Toyota.
I see several fastback Sport Sedans, Sport Coupes, including at least one Rallye 1900, several wagons, but not one lowly sedan. I’ve written a number of posts on the Kadett B, and the links are below. But it’s always good to remember that the Kadett was once a common sight on the streets and highways here, even thirteen of them.
Our extensive Kadett B inventory (not quite 13 yet):
CC Opel Kadett B: It Dethroned the Volkswagen (Not In The US) PN
CC 1968 Opel Kadett Rallye 1900: The European GTO Which Up-Ended the Old World Order PN
CC 1969 Opel Kadett B: Opel Dealers really Sold These Here? Tom Klockau
The Opel Kadett Assassination By Car and Driver PN
The Story Of My Father, A GM Executive, Part 3 – Viva Russelsheim! Charles Platt
My first car was a 1969 Opel Kadett Rallye that I bought in 1972 from a used car dealer for around $700. I was a junior in high school, my dad cosigned for it. It was gold with a black vinyl roof with a partial black hood and black stripes on the sides. It was a nice looking car I thought. I remember learning how to drive a 4 speed stick shift on the way home, I tried to take side streets as much as possible,lol. It was a fun small car that I could push start by myself if needed and it needed that quite a few times. I think the carburetor needed rebuilding.
Between the 1968 Kadette and the 1971, 1972 and fuel injected 19751900/Manta Opels modes, there was a huge difference.
Only the engines seemed similar to me.
For whatever reason, the regular sedan was only offered in the US for 1967 and 1971. I’d love to understand the logic behind that.
I just checked a ’68 brochure last night; it was in there. I’m pretty sure it was other years too. They needed a price leader.
I’m thinking you mean the not a fastback/coupe style 2-door then (there were 3 different variations)? I assumed when you said sedan it implied 4 doors. That’s what I’m thinking:
Yes, I meant the 2-door sedan. The 4-door sedan was a very rare thing here, and I’m surprised it came back in ’71.
I think the red car just behind de truck´s cab might be a 2 door sedan.
You’re right; it is. I didn’t look closely enough.
Anyone experiencing s-l-o-w page response, on this site only, today?
🙁
Yes
+2
Pleased to see that it’s back to it’s usual page turning speed.
Our family owned a green 1970 Opel Kadett Deluxe wagon in 1977. I loved driving this car because it wasn’t such a barge like our Pontiac Catalina was. It was stuffed with items when we moved to San Francisco such as a piano and some furniture. A place where I would drive down to the bay and watch the sun set under the horizon. It was a fun car for sure. You have to know that station wagons at the time were gas guzzling family haulers with no hint of sportiness. The site was really slow this morning.
The Opel Kadett is one of those cars that went from being seen very frequently to being completely gone almost overnight (though I am not sure when that night happened).
This is good. More oddballs please. How about a bevy of Borgwards. A passel of Panhards. A load of Lloyds, or a dozen delightful Dauphines.
I still owe Paul a writeup on daily driving a Kadett B. Mine is a 70 2 door sedan 1.1 with the twin carbs but not the Rallye tune or goody package.It has languished at the paint shop for the last 6 months and is now waiting for an appointment at the upholstery shop to get the headliner installed. It will be nice to have it back in the wake of increasing fuel prices. Its substitute has been either a 71 Dodge D-200 crewcab or mostly the 62 Dodge D-200. Quite a difference in economy. I’ve missed driving it.
I’m still patiently waiting. 🙂
These late 60’s Kadetts were a pretty frequent sight in Ohio. I never drove one of these but did drive a later Izusu Opel – very nice compact car.
A great pic of a nice variety of Kadetts.
And who knows, maybe one of those two yellow Caravans is the one parked in my driveway, 50+ years later….