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Numerous eye-catchers: The 19th Classic Meeting at the Opel villas attracts with numerous historic vehicles – such as the partially gilded Opel Kapitän, with the Rüsselsheim 1956 celebrated the production of two million cars.
A year before their own anniversary drove at the 19th Classic Meeting at the Opel villas before some motor racing legends whose successes are even partially already 20 to 40 years ago. Last Sunday, the European Rally Champions Jochi Kleint and Gunter Wanger traveled to Rüsselsheim last Sunday. Also at the start: Le Mans winner in 1999 and Opel brand ambassador Joachim “Jockel” Winkelhock and on the 40th anniversary of the Opel Cup all winners from 1979 to 1989.
So much sporting celebrities could not miss the 25,000 visitors who made the event together with around 2,800 still driving automotive treasures, historic tractors and two-wheelers again this year to the largest one-day classic car event in Germany.
“The love of classic car fans to their vehicles is extraordinary.”
– Ulrich Selzer -Opel Germany boss
Long tradition: For the 19th time, historic Opel classic cars will be attending the classic meeting at the Opel Villas.
Speaking of anniversary: The members of the K-A-D B series, that is the classics captain, admiral and diplomat, who celebrate their 50th birthday in 2019, shone in the light of the 120 years of automotive construction that Opel celebrates this year.
Stylish arrival
Opel Germany boss Ulrich Selzer and the mayor of Rüsselsheim, Udo Bausch, did not hesitate to drive in style in the Opel Diplomat B V8. The 230-hp long version of the “big Opel” was already in 1976 during the state visit of the then American President Gerald Ford used.
Selzer was impressed by the mood: “To come to the classic meeting with such a representative vehicle and to enjoy this atmosphere is something very special. What is going on here, even at subtropical temperatures, shows that the love of classic car fans for their vehicles is extraordinary. “
Not to be missed: the first automobile produced by Opel, the original sponsored motor car “System Lutzmann” from 1899.
Round thing: For the 40th anniversary of the Opel Cup, all winners of the race series traveled from 1979 to 1989.
The European Rally Champions in 1979: Klaus-Joachim “Jochi” Kleint (r.) And Gunter Wanger with their Ascona B.
Helmsman: Klaus-Joachim “Jochi” Kleint, European Rally Champion in 1979, on the wheel of the successful car – an Opel Ascona B.
Visually, Jochi Kleint and Gunter Wanger also had a lot of driving pleasure, as they cheered for their original-winning car of 1979 – an Ascona B – in front of the Opel villas. The sound of 186 hp under the hood – rally heart, what more do you want?
WINKELHOCK WITH SPORTING APPEARANCE
“It’s an incomparable feeling to be back in the car after so many years, with whom we won the European Championship,” said Kleint at the subsequent autograph session. “And even before such a venerable scenery here in Rüsselsheim, in the home of Opel,” added Wanger.
»The rally variant of the Corsa A is the best proof of Opel’s value in promoting juniors in motorsport.«
– Jockel Winkelhock – Motorsport legend and Opel brand ambassador
Another motorsport legend: Joachim Winkelhock in the rally variant of the Opel Corsa A.
Coveted, shady spots: during lunch time, visitors avoid the hot sun.
On Opel Diplomat B V8, built in 1975: Opel Germany boss Ulrich Selzer (r.) And the Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch.
The past meets the future: the 1971 electric GT and the Corsa-e, which Opel recently introduced to the media.
Equally sporty was the appearance of Jockel Winkelhock. After a week before with the Opel Corsa A Cup on a two-day tour at the ADAC Oldtimerfahrt Hessen-ThüringenHe introduced the 83-hp rallye Corsa of the first generation to the fans of the classic event.
“This car is still fun to drive today. So agile, with so much power – that’s a real racing flea! And the best proof of Opel’s value in promoting juniors in motorsport, “said Winkelhock.
Those who wanted to go even further back to the beginnings of Opel as an automobile manufacturer could also inspect the vehicles of the first years. Thus, the original sponsored motor car “System Lutzmann” from 1899 presented itself as well as the 4/8 hp doctor’s car from 1909 or the 4/12 hp “tree frog”.
July 2019
Photos: Katrin Denkewitz / Leif Rohwedder