Eckhart Bartels
“I feel like driving Opel again,” writes experienced automotive journalist Christian Steiger in his guest commentary. In which he does not hide the fact that in these times of change there are some things that make him feel strange. But “Opel hasn’t made me as curious as it does today in a long time,” he assures. He is looking forward to the “prettiest Corsa in history”, sees the Astra Sports Tourer as “the most attractive argument against an SUV” and thinks it would be great if the Insignia successor was actually called Monza and the electric Manta came as soon as possible. Christian Steiger’s “Opel Yearbook 2024”, which introduces his guest commentary, also whets the appetite for Opel. As usual, Eckhart Bartels and his team look back more than forward. But this time the editorial team has once again unearthed stories that arouse curiosity when reading the synopsis.
Opel “on air”: An almost forgotten project by old Fritz
Who knew until now that Opel was also involved in the production of radio receivers – and that in the pioneering years of radio technology? The first radio broadcast was broadcast in Germany on October 29, 1923. At the turn of the year 1923/24, the Frankfurt merchant Heinz W. Schneider founded the company Schneider-Opel AG, Radiowerke. And, as the name suggests, it contained money from the Rüsselsheim Opel family. More precisely: that of the then 24-year-old Fritz von Opel, who was considered particularly innovative and experimental. He also maintained family ties: Fritz von Opel’s cousin Sophie, daughter of Carl and Helene von Opel, was married to Schneider. The Schneider-Opel devices were manufactured with the approval of the license holder Telefunken, in all price ranges. By 1931 the company had brought 35 different models onto the market. Then the economic crisis put an end to it.
Speed and technical competence: How the Zeppelin became lightning
Those in the know know that before the Blitz, the Zeppelin was the Opel trademark. The “lightning bolt” as a symbol already existed in 1930, but only as an offer in the accessories range. An “Opel eye” also adorned the radiators of Rüsselsheim vehicles until the 1930s. But that would have been difficult to imagine as a three-dimensional hood ornament on the front. And hood ornaments on automobiles were becoming fashionable these days; a certain star had literally made a statement. General Motors, to which Opel had belonged since 1929, chose the Zeppelin as the Opel symbol. For what reason? Because the Zeppelin stood for technical expertise like no other means of transport at the time. Characteristics that drivers should also associate with Opel in the future. In aviation, as is well known, the history of the Zeppelin ended with the Lakehurst disaster in 1937. However, it remained on Opel radiators until 1961, but acquired an increasingly stylized appearance. So he looked quite similar to lightning until lightning finally replaced him.
Why the Calibra Cabriolet never came – and yet was the beginning of a good collaboration
A Calibra convertible? Yes, that actually existed. Even if only as a prototype. Under the leadership of its long-time head of development Friedrich Lohr, Opel pursued the idea of a “topless” Calibra very specifically for over two years at the end of the 1980s. Eckard Design (EDAG), a specialist that was founded near Darmstadt in 1969, was entrusted with vehicle development. The Calibra Cabrio was supposed to cost 42,000 German marks, and 3,000 to 4,000 units were to roll off the assembly line from autumn 1991 – that was what the plans were for in 1989. In August 1990, Opel and EDAG designers had already agreed that GM’s sister company Saab should produce and calculate the costs – and then it became clear: This convertible would be much more expensive than initially thought. 55,000 marks would have had to be charged for a copy, so it would have had no chance on the market at the time. However, the collaboration with Eckard left a lasting impression on the Opel developers. In 2008, EDAG designers took over the overall development of the Meriva. It was the first time that Opel transferred this responsibility to an external partner.
125 years of Opel automobile manufacturing? Lutzmann’s “Light Hunting Car” was introduced five years earlier
Opel will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its vehicle production next year. The yearbook editors have nothing against that. But she’s going on for another five years – and commemorating Friedrich Lutzmann’s automobile construction. The inventive entrepreneur from Nienburg an der Saale, who also sold ironwork and bicycles, manufactured a motorized “Light Hunting Cart” as early as 1894. By 1899, several more models followed in pretty much every conceivable size – right up to a twelve-seater with a closed body. In 1899, Lutzmann accepted the Opel family’s offer to produce and sell in Rüsselsheim. And the manufacturer’s sons quickly reduced the variety of Lutzmann’s offerings to a single model in order to be able to produce larger quantities. “The Opel Patentmotorwagen Lutzmann” came onto the market. And the rest is history.
It can be celebrated
And there will be other reasons to celebrate in 2024: The “Opel Post”, for example, will be 75 years old. Reason for a brief outline of their story, which also tells a bit about the general change in the media world. And the launch of the Tigra Twin Top is celebrating its 20th anniversary. An ideal opportunity to take a look at this interesting two-seater. Racing icon Walter Röhrl became European Rally Champion in 1974 in an Opel Ascona. Many people will certainly write about this when we turn 50 next year. In the Opel yearbook 2024, however, the legend himself has his say in detail – in a conversation with the proven motorsport expert Alois Drexler. And that’s not all the topics that can be found in the new Opel yearbook.
The Opel Yearbook 2024 (ISBN: 9783751611015) was published by Podszun-Verlag, costs 18.90 euros and is 144 pages long. It can be obtained from any bookstore or directly from the publisher.
December 2023
Text: Eric Scherer, photos: Opel yearbook, private