– Eckhart Bartels –
“We hope and wish that the Opel yearbook will have a long future. Because it is only possible to illuminate the topics in such a well-founded manner in an annual chronicle, not in a single book.” With these words, editor-in-chief Eckhart Bartels quotes an unnamed “strict censor” in his editorial getting in the mood for the Opel yearbook 2023 makes him particularly happy, because it is an anniversary edition. The Opel Chronicle appears for the 25th time. And this time again, it amazes with a diverse mix of topics, in which 40 years of the Corsa find just as much space as “the fat Senator with V8” or the Opel penguin. And as always, the editors not only look back, but also look ahead: they present the model range of the year 2023, but also consider the epochal upheaval in which the automotive world is going. How does the “strict censor” rightly judge? “Anyone who owns all the Opel yearbooks has an excellent treasure on their bookshelf.”
100 years ago: “Emergency money” makes you inventive
Pandemic, the Ukraine war and the onset of inflation – the dominant issues of today. And 100 years ago? Germany suffered from the consequences of the Spanish flu, the First World War and inflation was already well advanced. Due to the devaluation of money, the population relied more on material assets, and bartering with natural products had long flourished again, especially in rural areas. In 1923, municipalities and large companies were allowed to temporarily issue “emergency money” in the form of vouchers, since the state central bank could no longer keep up with issuing notes in thousands and millions.
Emergency money coins have been around for a long time. Because of the war, the production materials copper and nickel had become scarce. Replacing them with aluminum, iron, and zinc only helped temporarily. That’s why Opel put so-called “capsule money” in its wage packets. Such a coin consisted of a metal disc with the Opel factory mark, a cardboard backing on the inside and a stamp on the front denoting its value. For the company’s 60th anniversary in 1922, Opel even managed to present a particularly elegant commemorative coin: made of brass and with a ribbed edge. The monetary value of 100 marks was embossed on the front and Germania on the back. The coin was only in circulation for a very short time. Exactly how many can no longer be determined. The fact that Eckhart Bartels is able to recall the times of the emergency money so extensively in words and pictures in the current Opel yearbook was made possible for him by the Rüsselsheim home club, from whose magazine “Rucilin” he was allowed to quote.
Pure driving pleasure: the Speedster takes off
As always, chapters from the more recent Opel history can also be opened in the Opel yearbook, in which your own memories may come to life. Many can certainly still remember the Speedster. A fun-to-drive machine handcrafted by Lotus in Hethel, UK. It weighs only 870 kilos and is so flat and compact that it almost resembles a go-kart. Between 2001 and 2005, 7,207 copies were sold. And anyone who still has the little roadster in their garage today will certainly never want to give it up again. Torsten Schelper tells the story of the Opel Speedster – which is also the cover motif of this yearbook.
Almost forgotten: Isdera’s Bitter GT
And while we’re on the topic of sporty driving à la Opel: Yearbook author Wolfgang F. Storz dedicated a “Homage” to the Rallye Kadett. In addition, Eckhart Bartels has once again unearthed a special rarity: the Bitter GT, which the enterprising engineer Eberhard Schulz created under the umbrella of his “Isdera” brand in the 1980s on behalf of designer legend Erich Bitter and the then Opel chief designer Chuck Jordan . Based on the Manta and featuring a stylish design inspired by Italian luxury sports brands. Taking a close look again may not be as much fun as driving it yourself, but it’s still worth it.
The Opel plant in Brandenburg – and what came after that
Can it also be a piece of industrial history? Eckhart Bartels tells the story of the Opel plant in Brandenburg. The plant on the Havel went into operation in late 1935 and was considered the most modern vehicle factory in Europe at the time. Our photo shows a postcard of the plant, taken around 1936. At that time, 120 Opel Blitzes were already being assembled in Brandenburg every day. The production figures increased every year, at the beginning of the Second World War the plant had 3,400 employees. In 1944 it was largely destroyed in a bombardment. How things went on with the remains during the Soviet occupation and in the subsequent GDR period has hardly been investigated even after reunification. For this Opel yearbook, the Brandenburg local researcher Stefan Menzel has now combed through archives and previously unknown sources and completed the story.
“Pingi” – the sympathizer for frosty topics
Whether changing tyres, checking the exterior lights or checking the brake discs – Opel service workshops have a long tradition of offering customers special accessories or services before the cold season. For the 1980 winter season, Opel invented an advertising character that demonstrably increased sales in this division: “Pingi”, the penguin. Thanks to his positive charisma, he became a “natural popular figure”. Even if he changed his appearance several times. Initially drawn more realistically, he later turned into a comic book character.
And it varied in appearance: In the beginning it was a cardboard board, later it was available as a pin, sticker or key fob. Since “Pingi” was so popular, you could even buy him as a plush toy in different sizes. He was also active for living conspecifics: in 1989, Opel agreed to cooperate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to protect endangered penguins on the Galapagos Islands and in Ecuador. A portion of each Opel winter check was transferred to the WWF. The well-liked figure was in the service of Opel for a proud 31 years.
The Opel Yearbook 2023 (ISBN: 9783751610582) was published by Podszun Verlag, costs 18.90 euros and is 144 pages long. It is available in bookshops or directly from the publisher.
November 2022
Text: Eric Scherer, photos: Opel yearbook, private