Opels in Hemmings Classic Car - April 2008

[manta73wi]

I just received my April 2008 copy of Hemmings Classic Car (sister publication to Hemmings Sports & Exotic discussed in previous threads with the GT & Manta) which features part 2 of honoring General Motors for 100 Years of Greatness. One four page article looks at Holden, Opel, and Vauxhall and offers brief summaries of their early years, after GM's purchase of them, and the post Fifties era. There are Opel photos of the 1902 Darracq, 1914 Puppchen, 1924 Laubfrosh, 1936 Kadett, 1960 Rekord Wagon, and 1965 Diplomat coupe.

Another article in the same issue notes 100 highlights of GM's 100 years, and also lists 8 misses, the last of which is the Buick Opel by Isuzu. It states, "Calling something an Opel doesn't make it one. This confusing switcheroo of a name was hung on the 1976 Isuzu Gemini coupe, which failed to remind anyone of the real Opels GM had stopped importing the year before."

The third neat thing in the issue are pics of some of the cars in the GM Heritage Center (all US GM), which would make for an amzing (and potentially profitable) museum if GM would let in the general public! Hemmings does some excellent magazines indeed.
-Jeff W.

[Dan-MI]

In GM's world headquarters in the Renaissance Center in Detroit they frequently have cars on display from their heritage collection. They also always have new cars on display too, but the historic ones are pretty cool. The building is open to the public if you're ever in downtown Detroit.

[Aardvaark]

For those who haven't discovered it yet, here is a link
to GM's photo store which includes Opels.
GM Photo Store

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Aardvaark For those who haven't discovered it yet, here is a link to GM's photo store which includes Opels. GM Photo Store

Thank You! I've seen these pix linked to before but never with an option to purchase them as prints -

Matt

[hrcollinsjr]

2008 May edition - Hemmings Sports & Exotics has a picture of an Opel GT leading a bunch of Showroom Stock Sedans in an SCCA street race from the early seventies on page 41.

Harold

[Gordy]

What a beautiful car that 1960 Kapitan was! Compared to what US manufacturers were building in 1960 it is awesome! The lines were 15 years ahead of their time. Anybody own one of those?

[manta73wi]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr 2008 May edition - Hemmings Sports & Exotics has a picture of an Opel GT leading a bunch of Showroom Stock Sedans in an SCCA street race from the early seventies on page 41. Harold

In the same picture is a '71/'72 Ascona coming around the inside corner. Way cool! Elsewhere in that issue is a letter to the editor in which the author is recalling the cars he used to have and would now love to have again, starting with a yellow '69 Opel GT.
-Jeff W.

[newman27]

Cool photo - that left front tire on the GT looks like it is about to come off the ground!