Today the path leads us far north to Schleswig-Holstein, more precisely to the edge of Holstein Switzerland. Not far from the Baltic Sea resort of Hohwacht is the charming climatic health resort of Lütjenburg. The community with its historic old town, which is well worth seeing, has 5,300 inhabitants. We are here to visit an Opel dealer who not only knows the history of the brand well – he lives it.
Youngtimer as a welcome
In the yard of Opel Barleben we are greeted by a GTC OPC and a modern Opel GT, two Calibra are parked around the corner. Why do you hardly see them on the street anymore? The answer is easy: because they have become classics. The first Calibra, for example, are now over 30 years old. And yet the model still looks modern with its sensational drag coefficient of 0.26, which earned it the title of “Aerodynamics World Champion” at the time. At second glance, we notice a boxwood in the shape of an Opel lightning bolt. A botanical work of art that shows the love for the brand.
At Opel Barleben there are not only current models, the company also restores youngtimers.
Green flash: The botanical artwork shows the love for the brand.
A dedication that is also reflected in the classics that have accumulated over many years in the collection of owner Roland Barleben, including a Steinmetz Manta that was presented two years ago to mark the 50th birthday of the sports coupé at the anniversary event on Timmendorfer Strand presented. There is no classic meeting in the north of the republic where Roland Barleben has not been a guest. He comes around the corner with a friendly grin and a “Moin” on his lips. He is a calm and level-headed person who likes to listen to others, but also has a lot to tell about himself. You immediately feel comfortable and in good hands in his presence. Certainly one of his recipes for success for lasting customer loyalty. And today he invited some of his customers, with whom he has had close ties for many years, to a spontaneous Opel classic meeting.
dream of a car dealership
After all, it was 30 years ago, it was March 14, 1992, when Roland Barleben started the “Opel” project on a greenfield site with his father Rudi and his younger brother Rüdiger. There, where previously only the circus made guest appearances, the three built their dream of a car dealership. From the Corsa-e to the Astra – attractions have been here to admire ever since. And the company masters the balancing act between traditional mechanics and modern mechatronics as a matter of course.
“Moin!” Opel dealer Roland Barleben has the lightning bolt in his heart. His passion is youngtimers – “they don’t get older, they get better.”
The courtyard of the car dealership is filling up: a red Rallye Kadett from 1976 pulls up, followed by an Irmscher Manta B. While the owner is handing out coffee, Markus Voß joins us. He is a former employee who still has a key for the car dealership and still uses it a lot, as if it were the most normal thing in the world: “This isn’t a business, it’s a family.” No other sentence explains it better, with how self-image Roland Barleben manages his company.
Special clause with cake
Markus Voß proudly presents his latest acquisition to his former boss: an Omega B, built in 2000. He has the 3.0 liter, 6-cylinder first-hand with only 99,000 km on the odometer for a very reasonable price from a nice, elderly lady accepted. She insisted on selling the car with a special clause in the contract: after the restoration work was completed, the buyer had to drive up to her again with the Omega in order to be able to seal the release of the work with two pieces of cake. “You can be sure of the cake,” says Roland Barleben after a brief inspection of the Omega.
“She’s the first every morning”: Laura Wellendorf is the heart and soul of the company.
One more piece? When people meet at Opel Barleben, the next cake is not far away.
“This is not a business, this is a family”
Beautiful scenery: The old town of Lütjenburg and the Manta GT/E harmonize perfectly.
The sea is calling: the destination of the trip with Opel youngtimers is the nearby Baltic Sea.
An Astra G Cabrio in the Linea Rossa Edition drives into the yard. “She’s the first thing you see every morning when you come in here,” explains Roland Barleben with a proud voice. At 24, Laura Wellendorf is the youngest in the team, but she is something of the good soul of the company, says the owner. She not only loves her Astra, but her job. And gives everything when it comes to customer satisfaction. Barleben: “She waits patiently at the registration office until all customers have received their desired number plates – guaranteed!”
Manta, Kadett and Co.
Even more vehicles populate the area. Including a Manta B 400 and a Rallye Kadett, who, among other things, successfully completed the 9th Rallye Elbflorenz without any breakdowns. Walter Röhrl’s signature is emblazoned on its yellow roof. Axel Gnutzmann, the driver, proudly tells that he met the rally legend at an event in Hamburg. When asked for a signature, Röhrl did not hesitate and immortalized himself with the pen on his former work tool.
It has been 30 years since Roland Barleben started the “Opel” project on a greenfield site with his father Rudi and his younger brother Rüdiger.
Sabrina and Sascha Klopp get out of their Manta i240. Not without a delicious gift – a whole tray of home-baked apple pie. Not much seems to be possible in the far north without cake. “Customers like to come here with home-baked goods, even on weekends,” confirms the owner, taking a large bite. At the end of the day, the group takes a small tour to the nearby Baltic Sea. Let the day fade away in the most beautiful sunshine. And of course there is also a piece of cake or two.
From Irmscher: Sabrina and Sascha Klopp are taking part in the meeting with their Manta i240.
With the signature of a legend: Walter Röhrl has immortalized himself on the roof of Axel Gnutzmann’s Rallye Kadett.
Sep 2022
Text and photos: Stephan Arnold