Antique Opel parts exchange, Russelsheim

[wklopf]

I just returned from a trip to Europe during which I attended the ALT-OPEL Teile- und Tauschbörse at Russelsheim, which is essentially a huge Opel parts flea market. It was held in one of the parking garages of the main Opel plant. I was looking for some specific parts for my Rekord P2 Coupe which would be nearly impossible to find in the US. One of the members of this group, Rolf, who works in the design department at Opel had kindly offered to temporarily store what I bought so that I would not have to drag it all over Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and finally, Russia. Needless to say, the vendors were surprised to see an American there! I found everything which I was looking for. The market was spread over four levels of the parking garage. Lighting in the garage made photography difficult, but I am attaching a few pictures. The statue is of Adam Opel and is in front of the office area of the plant. Then there are two inside shots, one just taken down one of the aisles. I don't know the year of the Opel convertible. The last two were taken in the parking lot. I'm sure that everyone will recognize the make of the red and black sedan, but how many can tell me the make of the last car?

This parts exchange is held there twice each year, the first Saturdays of March and September. I also have a GT which I need to restore, but I did not look for GT parts there since something like 70% of the GTs produced came to the US and parts should be as available here as in Germany. But, if you need parts for something more exotic, you might keep this meet in mind. I had to ask directions to the meet at one of the entrances to the plant and they gave me a map of the plant. I can scan and post that if anyone wants it. Bill

[franbev]

Is the last car a Messerschmidt? Do you know the year of the red and black Mercedes 170? I have a 170S but it has different bumpers.

[wklopf]

You are right about it being a Messerschmidt. From what I could learn it is a KR200. The earlier KR175 didn't have any cutouts on the front fenders. I think that the most intriguing item on this car is the trailer hitch. How much can you pull with 200 cc. if you have two people on board?

I don't know about the year of the 170. It was just parked in the parking lot. I looked in the Mercedes on-line parts catalog and from what I could make out, the red and black is a 170V or 170Va. Do you have the Mercedes parts catalog? You can get a free one-year subscription. The part covering the 170 series is all in German. I can find the URL if you want it. Bill

[hansvdc]

You can find more info from the mercedes 170 on Mercedes Benz 170-220 International Club Website or
Mercedes Benz 170-220 International Club Website