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We say thank you! Whether from Kaiserslautern, Eisenach, Bochum, Rüsselsheim or Rest Germany: In recent weeks, we have many original, creative and sometimes bizarre proposals for the list “120 things that an Opel fan must have done” achieved. “The result is a great list that makes any Opel fan reminisce and reflects the great fascination that the models create with the flash,” says Roland Korioth, editor-in-chief of Opel Post. The call has released a lot of creative potential – even actress Brigitte Bardot has made it to the list. In addition to concentrated insider knowledge, the 120 tasks contain numerous duties and insider tips.
Jörg Bube can look forward to an Opel Rekord Caravan for a weekend out of the Opel Classic collection. His proposal – the number 52 – we have drawn from the over 200 entries.
Enjoy browsing the unique collection – and be inspired!
Being free, on the go, first kisses – beautiful memories that will forever be linked to the car.
The health resort on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore was the namesake of the Opel classic, which ran between 1970 and 1988 from the band and not only on Lake Ticino a very special holiday feeling conjured.
In 1900 Adam son Heinrich von Opel acquired the winery at Ingelheim. Today, the great-great-granddaughter Ivonne leads the Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau with her husband. The wine is not just good for Opel-related drinking: Schloss Westerhaus is recognized as one of the best wineries in Germany.
For 120 years, cars have been built at the foot of the Wartburg in Thuringia. Under the brand names DIXI, BMW, EMW, IFA, Wartburg – and for 25 years Opel. To preserve the automotive tradition and to make it accessible to the public has become automobile world eisenach (Friedrich-Naumann-Straße 10, 99817 Eisenach) made the task.
If on Hawaiior inCuba – This tip is worth almost anywhere in the world. And makes fun.
Saturday, 15.30, Bundesliga: football heart, what more do you want? And for those who wash their Opel at this time, there are sometimes kick-off times on other days of the week.
And whether! The Opel flagship can be painted in every conceivable color – the customization program “Opel Exclusive” makes it possible. And on the Visualizer site You can find out whether the insignia in the color of your iris would be a feast for the eyes.
Whether talking to the neighbors, at the party or at the hairdresser – a true fan always holds up the Opel flag.
Granted: who lives in a new building, has rather bad cards. In all other cases you could just challenge your luck – and if you do not find it, you might have found something else or at least cleaned it up a bit.
In 1933, a foundation of Privy Councilor Wilhelm von Opel made possible the establishment of the Swimming and sunbathing on the southern slope of the Wiesbadener Neroberg to revitalize the spa and tourism. The bath is 80 meters above the city and offers a wonderful view over the spa town and the Rhine-Main area. It is one of the most beautiful outdoor pools in Germany.
Motocross specialist and Opel friend Jürgen Baumgarten raced in 2003 with his Meriva for the ZDF show in 1:11 minutes through the ice channel at Unterammergau – with special tires and monster spikes. Four seconds faster than the European Champions in Hornschlittenfahren. Even Thomas Gottschalk was flat – and his viewers chose Baumgarten and Meriva as betting queens.
The family grave of the founding family is located on the “Old Seilfurter cemetery” near the Rüsselsheim plant. Adam and Sophie Opel are buried here, as well as the five sons who started the car production. A visit is possible as part of special tours.
How come? Quite simply: The French movie icon was once married to the legendary jet-setter Gunter Sachs, and his maternal grandfather was Wilhelm von Opel, the son of company founder Adam. This may sound a bit far-fetched now, but movies with “BB” always have at least one show value – they themselves.
The jetty has been part of the Rüsselsheim cycle path network for several years and leads directly past the old harbor – where ships were once loaded with cranes on ships and exported to the world. This is how a piece of industrial history can be “experienced” by bike.
Fritz von Opel was also an avid water sportsman and set himself up in the 1920s, a speedboat, he baptized “Opel II”, It was the fastest motorboat of its time – something else would have come for “rocket Fritz” so well out of the question.
That was no one less than Ernst Ludwig (1868 – 1937), the last Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt. He was not only a friend, promoter and great supporter of the 1899 starting automobile production, but usually also in an Opel on the way, in which he liked chauffeurs relatives of related and well-known European noble houses, among other things the Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
Eat chips on the to-do list for Opel fans? Correct reading, because behind Chio Opel stands: Carlo, Heinz and Irmgard of Opel – in short: CHIO. It was they who in 1962 brought the potato chips from America to Germany to the Hofgut Petersau. Even today, potato chips are produced there in the Palatinate, but now the brand belongs to the Intersnack Group.
With its 12.3-liter engine, the race car of 1914 is the largest-capacity vehicle Opel has ever built. Thanks to the Opel Classic team, the “Green Monster” is always a star guest at classic car events – as in the summer of 2018 on the Danish North Sea coast,
The AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring is considered one of the most traditional old-timer festivals in Europe. The 47th edition will start on August 9, 2019.
How the settlement, founded in the Frankish era, became a booming industrial city – here learn it.
Until 1930 Opel also produced – with interruptions – motorcycles. The Motoclub 500, which was built in 1928 in the Saxon fire-Erbisdorf, marks the highlight of this era. At classic meetings, especially in the original colors silver and red, steals the historic model of many a Harley the show.
Remains of the legendary Berlin Avus are still preserved and form the northern section of the A 115 motorway in southwestern Berlin. If you walk around on a visit, close your eyes and recall the pictures from old Opel books, you can relive them: the world record ride of Fritz von Opelwho, with his rocket-powered RAK 2 on May 23, 1928 on this route until then reached an unrivaled 238 km / h.
Why just the Corsa? Because no other Opel model so many specimens have been built in the meantime (more than 13.5 million) and he is traveling in all parts of the world. And because the sixth generation of the long-running burner will be launched in the autumn of 2019 – shortly thereafter even as an electric version.
Unforgettable in the history of German film comedy remains this classic from 1991: Manta driver Bertie goes through the archetypal conflict of a classic hero – from the existential duel with Mercedes driver Axel to the redemptive moment of insight, his responsibility as the father of Uschis to ask an unborn child.
The 150-hp City-Flitzer is perfect for the winding roads of Thuringia. With a trip to the Wartburg Castle, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, a visit to the nearby Eisenach plant can also be combined. But first we recommend to enjoy an original Thuringian grilled sausage on the Wartburg.
Is not there any more? But, part of her still exists: in the dense grove between Rüsselsheim and Trebur she is exposed, even with a viewing platform. Until the 1920s high-speed races were held here.
Every first Sunday of November, a very special engine sound can be heard in the morning mist of London’s Hyde Park. Because on this day starts a classic car race, which since 2014 the name “Bonham’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run“Bears, according to own statement the oldest motor sport event of the world is and only vehicles with a year of construction before 1905 permits. Often a Lutzmann is at the start, the first Opel ever.
That was the nickname of an Opel Rekord C 1900, which was rebuilt in the late 1960s to a 180 hp racing touring car, under the direction of the former design studio director Anatole Carl Lapine, without the management knew about it. The “taxi-black” livery gave Renner its name, driven by designer legend Erich Bitter and an unknown race car driver named Niki Lauda. Jens Cooper made 2011 for Opel Classic a replica of the legend, this time officially.
Rikky. Actually Frederick of Opel. Son of the famous “Rocket Fritz” and his second wife Emita Herrán Olozaga. Daredevils like dad and consistently enthusiastic motor sportsman. Started in 1973 for Ensign and 1974 for Brabham in the highest organized by the FIA racing series of formula racing. Sporty though not very successful, but loved by the gossip press.
What would the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring be without the legendary Opel Manta Bdes Kissling team? Some people thought so – this proposal has reached us several times.
According to the sender, many happy waving fellow human beings are sure of this.
Why not? The signature of the successful motor sportsman and leader of the Opel Performance Center refines every Opel DTM model car.
In the cult comedy of 1992, the Cadet C Caravan is the right car to fall in love with: long-distance, spacious and even suitable as a sleeping place for up to three people! By the way, not only director Sönke Wortmann, but also the main actors Meret Becker, Armin Rohde, Jürgen Vogel, Kai Wiesinger and Gedeon Burkhard made a great career in the film business.
Always fascinating, how the adaptive LED elements turn night into day.
The Song has Grönemeyer already published in 1982 on his album “Gemischte Gefühle” – and even then prefigured the “Opel Exclusive” thoughts: “I dream of the Opel Kadett, just plain as a coupe, which I can then equip myself, free after own idea …”
He is now the design icon among the Opel classics.
Because in the opinion of many insiders as a design icon among the Opel classics wrongly behind the Opel GT must be. Because the Calibra was the designer Erhard Schnell at least as well, my connoisseur.
At 30 seconds of the song of the American metal band “Disturbed” the singer yells “Uh, ah, ah, ah, ah“Into the microphone. Does the short sequence sound familiar to you? Sure, it’s the Opel advertising jingle.
A classic. Alternatively, “Only the Titanic is deeper” or “Until the TÜV separates us”.
And then paste into the family album? Is unlikely today. It is more up to date to distribute the photo via social media under # ADAM & me.
Beware, this proposal could go a bit in the money, because the shop in the foyer of the Rüsselsheim headquarters is an Eldorado for every Opel fan. For example new in the offer: very cool retro shirts,
A little bit of sweat has to be: The 8th edition of the popular event around the stadium on the summer dam in Rüsselsheim will take place on 25th June.
Whether birthplace, mausoleum or Opel villas – in the planning helps this listing,
To really impress, it should already be a model with a little more horsepower. For example, we recommend the Opel Insignia OPC with 325 hp, nostalgics the Lotus Omega from 1989 with 377 hp. The submitter of the proposal accomplishes this challenge according to own data with its Astra, which can fall back on 450 HP (!).
Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Fritz and Ludwig.
We think: This is one of those little fine things that make a real Opel fan.
Captain, Admiral and Diplomat will be proud 50 years in 2019. With this engine, the oldies still roll silky soft over the streets, only at high load they let a gentle snorkeling sound, which is no less beguiling.
As well as suggestion 46: as simple as effective!
As the first digital displays began to replace classic speedometer displays, Opel attracted some industry attention in the industry. Legendary is the “Mice Cinema”, for example, the cadet E GSI graced.
Opel marketer created the term in the 1950s from the English words “Car and Van”. Just a few years later, it had become popular in the vernacular for station wagons of all brands.
For this we have several proof photos achieved – thank you! Documented were removals, but also upcoming family holidays. Sometimes with the help of accessories such as roof racks and bike carriers. How it comes to the official value of the load volume, you can here read.
The variable roof of the convertible can actually only be electrically closed. Only in the case where the electronics fail, there is an “emergency closing mode”, only those who have studied the operating instructions attentively: The back paneling has to loosen a screw that unlocks the folded roof. This is also “nervous thing, especially when rain clouds are in the suit,” explains the submitter.
The broad street of the circular track has a slope of 40 degrees. At a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour you drive free of lateral force. This experience is perfect one of the driving lessons which are offered in Dudenhofen. The Opel fan can decide for himself which focus he sets.
Something for absolute specialists. The 377 hp bullet is one of the absolute rarities on the road, 907 copies were built – and make the screwdriver facing very special challenges.
Also something for hobbyists. But: There were times and Opel models – the Opel Rekord about – because the water pump had to be changed more often, as the author writes with a wink.
If you love style icons and automotive classics, you must not miss the biggest one-day classic car event in Germany. The 19th edition of the meeting will take place on 30 June 2019.
The illustrator Martin Stark created the picture story in memory of Sophie Opel, whose anniversary in 2013 celebrated its 100th anniversary. The band told the company’s first few years from their perspective.
It is perhaps the most beautiful automobile blink of an eye: If you press the lever on the center tunnel with proper muscle power forward, the headlights turn over a rod around their longitudinal axis and rest with a rich “Klonk”.
The color changes from 50 km / h from green to yellow and from 100 km / h to red. Some say, the phrase “we move in the red area” comes from.
Why not? Meanwhile, the Manta is a coveted automotive heritage. “And besides, the Manta is in spite of all the stupid sayings just a great car,” writes the sender.
The club, founded in Rüsselsheim in 1906, was never an official Werksverein, but leads “Opel” out of solidarity in the name. After all: In the 60s and 70s, the SC played regional league, as this was still the second highest German league. And in 1969 he was coached by Bernd Trautmann – a goalkeeper legend whose life story was just to be seen in the cinema.
Since the mid-1980s an integral part of the setlist of Dusseldorf punk rocker:
We are the guys from the Opel GangWe’ve all been hangingOpel-Gang …
In the scale 1:18, 1:24 or 1:43 the replicas always awaken (nice) memories. If the original is still in their own possession, a look in the garage is sufficient.
Just took place for the 33rd time. Objective: to admire the icons of the 70s in all shapes and colors – presented by indestructible cadet C friends from all over Europe. For that you could easily put on flared pants again.
Opel has stopped the production of helicopters shortly before the beginning of the Second World War. But there is also in the present an oldie scene that has dedicated itself to historic two-wheelers – which helps in the search for a suitable model. An alternative: Adam Opel’s descendant Gregor von Opel offers “Opelite Bikes“, Combining modern technology with classic design.
The beautiful tree decorations are available every year Opel shop,
It is probably the most romantic of ideas. The Opel Motorpool provides employees, as well as their friends, free of charge an Opel for the best day of their lives, subject to availability. To reach the team is under motorpool@opel.com,
If this is not a nice idea: How many cadets and Corsa would probably come to new honors?
“Cylinder 8 – stitch!” The “Original Opel Quartet” unites the Rüsselsheim automobile history on 32 maps – and was put together and examined by none other than Jens Cooper, leading Opel expert and Opel Classic employee.
This is not only extremely back-friendly, allegedly chases are here particularly intense experience.
Jürgen Klopp, of course, coach of Liverpool. Of course, as a successful brand ambassador, he is entitled to such a custom-made product.
The Landscape zoo in the Vordertaunus was founded in 1956 on the initiative of Georg von Opel. On 27 hectares, more than 230 species live here in semi-natural enclosures, including the only elephants in Hesse.
It is a place of pilgrimage and longing – the circuit in the Eifel is regarded as the heaviest and most dangerous in the world and exerts an almost magical attraction on Opel fans. For example, the team headed by Volker Strycek, head of the Opel Performance Center, missed out on the Insignia GSi’s final set-up. Besides number 111, this suggestion is by the way the most common for our ultimate to-do list.
Actually a folding book, which is folded like an accordion. Read backwards, but Leporello is also called: “Oller Opel”.
The reason provides the sender with the same: “Although has only 45 hp, but creates uphill 140 km / h – and downhill trembles the speedometer needle up to 190 km / h. Feels like 250 km / h. “
Takes his time. Cadet E has no problem with that. He runs and runs and runs.
It simply offers the best view of the screen – even when lying down, as the idea generator explains.
We note: The modern interpretation of a popular Western motif.
A song from 1982 with a lot of earworm potential – and a line whose content was still a dream of the day, but has long since become reality:
“And cost gas even three marks ten. Never mind, it’ll work! I want to ride! I want to ride, I want to ride! I want fun, I want fun! “
2019 opens the model car exchange on September 7 at 9 clock their doors on the Opel grounds of the company restaurant N50 in Rüsselsheim.Hier you can immediately follow proposal number 63.
The long-time legendary rally driver started his professional career in the 1970s at Opel, won the European title in an Ascona in 1974, turned his back on Opel in 1977 and returned for a season in 1982 to compete in an Opel Ascona 400 rallye. To become world champion.
A reminiscence of times when there was no central locking. But of course you can still do it today – even without locking out.
A nice idea, which has reached us from three Zafira drivers. With the generous space of the Familienvans the picnic in the trunk is probably close.
The cycling club Opel Rüsselsheim maintains and maintains some specimens to present at festivals and parades in the region – filled with well-trained drivers. The sender does not want to make such a tour to climb a historic bike himself. For the inexperienced, that’s not so easy – not for nothing the vernacular called the high wheels earlier than “bone crusher”.
On the Rüsselsheim factory grounds are two protective structures that saved many lives during the bombing raids of the Second World War. Since it is quite cool there, a lemonade dealer later used one of the bunkers as a drinks store.
Sounds very much like writing the idea from my own experience. At least he probably has not been flashed on the infamous Elzer Mountain.
From buses to fire trucks – there is hardly any use that the Opel Blitz has not experienced in over 40 years of its production history. In the 1960s, the model name became the Opel logo. But how did the universal workhorse get its name in 1930? Quite simply: Opel fans wished him in the context of a competition. Previously, he had only been used for an Opel bike.
Passage 1: The Insignia eats little hat. Various instructions later – “less steering angle” – chases the flagship with innovative four-wheel drive sovereign on ice and snow. Every year in January it says Opel winter training in the Thomatal: Let’s roll! It is about pure driving pleasure – and driving safety.
This point you can do immediately: we regularly publish beautiful motifs – here it’s long.
If the innkeeper then without further requests Currywurst with fries “red-white”, so Ketchup and Mayo served, the Opel fan landed in the right food stall.
After all, it does not always have to be Nürburgring (see number 73).
Ouch! This proposal is in fact intended only for very self-confident naturals.
We find: Trips with Opel classics you can not recommend often enough. A Selection of European dream streets the sender has also included.
The Opel Calibra namely, the misunderstood design icon. The shapely sports coupe was produced from 1989 to 1997 and had the outstanding drag coefficient of 0.26.
The reissue of the design icon was not nearly as popular as the original, but just because of the proposal is something for the true Opel fan. And a ride through Austria’s mountains is fun in every Opel. “More freedom is not possible,” promises the idea generator.
This Roadster Opel built from 2001 to 2005. For painless entry requires some practice, writes the sender. But then: “Press start button. Just enjoy. Pure driving pleasure. Attention, danger of addiction. “
Several Opel models had the integrated in the rear bike carrier on board. Practically!
In 2017, the Deutsche Bundespost printed the Manta A on a stamp of its special edition “Classic German Automobile”.
Singer Reinhard Mey (“The murderer is always the gardener”) composed in 1994 Marc Cohn’s ballad “Silver Thunderbird” on a “51er captain” around. Not very well known, but beautiful.
Jens Cooper investigated this matter while researching the book “GT Love” – and experienced an unforgettable week with the former US General Donald J. Kutyna. Who wants to know more details: The whole story is here documented.
The trained industrial designer worked for Opel since 1974, before, during and after, but always also as a painter active. In retirement, he prefers to paint city portraits, but always chooses automobiles as a motif – such as classic Opel.
It is as simple as obvious. But hand on heart: Have you ever done it?
Next Spanish treats comes here Opel history on the table.
Okay, that’s a task that can not be fulfilled easily – but the nice suggestion of a reader. But we are sure that even in the first, second and third generation many real Opel fans work.
The stations are the Classic workshop, the press shop, the body shop as well as the finished and final assembly: visitors can visit the Hessian headquarters Fascination with automotive engineering experience pure – Monday to Friday, three times a day.
Whether ADAM, Corsa or Crossland X: The Opel designers hide small for some years Sharks in the interior of the models, Whether that has something to do with point 33? Just dive in and search!
True to the motto “we drive Opel Opel”, the Opel employees have been taking for years. Because who is better suited as a brand ambassador?
To top it off, Opel buyers now receive a video showing their own vehicle leaving the factory.
Whether privately or professionally – the large family of Opel drivers have many branches and exist in many areas, enthuses the submitter.
Classics are the “Opel Berg” plate or the sewing machine motive, but also the “Only the flying is beautiful” motive of the Opel GT or illustrations of the Commodore adorn every living space.
The shrillest, but also the most passionate testimonieswhich produces the love for Opel, can be found here at the largest Opel meeting in the world. It was by far the most common suggestion for this list. So go ahead: The 24th edition of the fan meeting will take place from 23 to 26 May 2019.
A bike for five. Made famous by a photo that shows the five Opel sons on such a. This “Quintuplet” can be visited today in the Opel Classic workshop.
From 2012 Opel has the VW community at the GTI meeting on Lake Wörthersee with winking guerilla actions mixed three years in a row. In 2013, for example, 3D spectacles were distributed to the traditional fireworks display, which conjured up so many little Opel logos on the viewing area for the spectators of the colorful spectacle. Still a lot of fun here to see in the video.
Popular names for the automobile companion are “carrot” or “fat”. The sign of the submitter of this proposal is named “Siglinde”.
In the test center in Dudenhofen namely. 25 meters high, 275 years old. The Opel engineers lovingly call them “the thick fir tree”. Twice a year, the Nature Conservation Agency looks over to make sure that it is treated with care. Will she.
Opel built these refrigerators until 1959. Having a working copy working is literally just cool.
Monteverdi was a respected luxury sports car manufacturer in Switzerland in the 1970s, and rumors circulated for many years that it was planning a joint venture with Opel. The auto journalist Eckhart Bartels revealed in the 2018 Opel yearbook: Yes, there was a 30-page agreement between the companies and a design proposal for an “Opel Monteverdi 5.4 liters”.
This happened to the submitter in 1978. He and his girlfriend sat in a “Wick Blue cough sweet blue” cadet D, the driver’s license fresh in his pocket and “proud as Bolle”.
We would not have typed that: It is the Opel Manta B. It was built from 1975 to 1988 and thus comes to 13 production years.
Last, but not least: every Monday in the Opel Webmagazine there are new stories about the brand with the lightning and the people who characterize the company.
May 2019
Illustrations: C3