Eckhart Bartels’ editorial team doesn’t run out of topics: Opel has history – and the yearbook brings it to light every year. Convertible dreams, forgotten studies and passionate inventors: The 28th edition shows how much material there is in the brand and why its fans never tire of discovering new facets. Prof. Dr. Friedrich Indra, 85, long a legend of Opel’s advanced development, contributes a guest commentary.
The fire that inspired
For example, who remembers that, following the fire disaster that destroyed almost the entire Rüsselsheim factory in 1911, the Opel developers set about constructing fire trucks and ladder trucks? Apparently the horror night of August 20th had revealed to them that there was a lot to be improved in terms of fire protection. Eckhart Bartels retells the story and presents a few photos of the historic fire departments. A particularly beautiful fire and emergency vehicle that the Rüsselsheim-based company manufactured for the municipal fire department in Antwerp, Belgium.
Holladrio, here comes a “Calibrio”!
What is a “Calibrio”? The name says it all: a convertible version of the Opel Calibra. Opel played with the idea of series production around 1990, but rejected the idea for cost reasons. External body builders then offered TÜV-compliant conversions. The finest version came from Autostyling Hornstein on Lake Constance – 23,900 D-Marks for the conversion alone, after the Calibra had already cost between 34,850 and 41,100 D-Marks ex works. Elegant yes, success no. Other specialists were cheaper: SFJ Styling from Hagenbach charged 11,500 D-Marks for the “Calibra Aero”, Piecha-Tuning offered kits for 3,700 D-Marks. The convertible mania of those years also affected other Opel models. Bieber-Cabrio’let GmbH in Borken, for example, offered a Kadett convertible – not nice, but in demand.
The “Sunroof” Ascona and its variations
At the express request of readers, the Opel Yearbook 2026 presents a comprehensive typology of the Ascona C, which rolled off the assembly line from 1981 to 1988. Eckhart Bartels then focuses specifically on the Ascona Cabriolet, which was offered by several body tailors around the same time period. An official “Sunroof” version caused a stir at the 1981 International Motor Show, as the then head of design George A. Gallion remembers. However, the individual piece did not go into series production. Various tuning specialists offered Ascona convertibles for this purpose. The fanciest one was available at Auto-Keinath in Dettingen near Urach from 38,850 D-Marks.
A captain who wasn’t allowed to become a captain
A special discovery: an open Opel Captain from 1951. In 1952, the Erste Darmstadt bodyworks Authenrieth built four convertibles for the British military police. Master Trüby then wanted to make a small series attractive to Opel and presented a sample that met with approval. But in 1953 the new “pontoon shape” revolutionized the captain – the project was canceled. The unique piece became private property and turned up in Husum in 1983 in a pitiful condition. It wasn’t until 1998 that the owner abandoned his restoration plans. Another 13 years passed before the rarity – professionally restored and with an H license plate – appeared on the road again. The yearbook shows them in the picture, along with other Opel treasures from the Authenrieth tradition.
Behold, a mural newspaper
In the inflationary years after the First World War, two-wheelers were more popular than cars. Opel met demand perfectly thanks to assembly line production: in 1927, an Opel wheel rolled off the assembly line every seven seconds. The millionth bicycle was celebrated as early as 1916. At that time, Opel advertising invented the “illustrated sheets” – DIN A2 pages, framed by dealers and hung up in the company. A mural newspaper like no other. Bicycles in particular were advertised there.
The Nobel Opel “Havana”
Holsheimer? The name is familiar to Opel fans: Albertus Holsheimer was one of the influential designers. His son Henk followed in his father’s footsteps: studying in Pforzheim, interning at Opel, completing his diploma thesis on “A new upper-class series for Adam Opel AG”. The result: a fascinating study of a futuristic luxury Opel, which he christened “Havana” – inspired by a photo of supermodel Linda Evangelista with a Cuban cigar. The “Havana” caused a stir at the diploma show in Pforzheim in 2000. Today the model is privately owned.
The “Opel 2026 Yearbook” is now available in stores. It was published by Podszun-Verlag, has 144 pages and costs 18.90 euros (ISBN: 978-3-7516-1185-5).
By the way: Every fan of the brand has the opportunity to approach the editorial team with topic suggestions via the homepage “opel-jahrbuch.de” or the Facebook page “OPEL Jahrbuch since 1999”.
December 2025
Text: Eric Scherer, photos: Opel Yearbook 2026