1976 Opel Kadett C Coupe
The Opel company has been around since 1862. Yes, Opel is 162 years old although it started as a sewing machine manufacturer in Germany, then a bicycle maker beginning in 1886, then they started producing cars in 1899. For a time, from 1929 to 2017, Opel was owned by General Motors and is currently owned by Stellantis. Their first front wheel drive car was the Kadett produced after 1979.
For consignment, a 1976 Opel Kadett brought over from Germany in 2002 and sporting a verified 88,300 kilometers or 54,867 miles. In 2021, this car won Best Kadett at Carlisle Import Nationals, was a Wheels & Wings Top 50 pick and is believed to be 1 of 2 Kadetts that have made their way from the Motherland over to the good old US of A.
Exterior
Finished in Bernstein Gold, this unique little car can perhaps best be described as a more compact Vega in exterior proportions, although the flat front creates an abrupt end and the square bodywork sculpted around round headlights is unlike anything. The rear bodylines present as a hatchback but this is a car with a true boot, and the black paneled taillights have a sporty, if not aggressive presentation. C-pillar vents provide a distinctive design cue, and large back windows create an interior greenhouse that's bright. Four-lug 13-inch wheels have black painted inserts giving the appearance of a four spoke wheel while wrap around chrome bumpers with black bumperettes are in great shape. Imperfections include an area of varying shades, a few bubbles, paint drips, chips, and various scuffs and scratches.
Interior
Brown vinyl door cards are simple and neat with two silver accent lines to spruce things up a bit. Front bucket seats are two tone tan and brown and the driver's sides show some loose vinyl but otherwise in decent condition and headrests are present. The rear bench repeats the color and stitch pattern and is in nice shape as well with molded plastic wall cards, ashtrays included. A simple steering wheel has an aftermarket wrap and the Opel logo which has a lightning bolt derived from the Opel Blitz, a truck that translates to "lightning". More simplicity is found in the gauge cluster which contains only a speedometer, temp gauge, gas gauge and a few idiot lights. The center stack contains an AM/FM radio, vents, and some switches, all based in a textured plastic dash that is as no frills as it gets. A storage tray is provided for the center console coupled with a shifter wearing a rubber boot. Gold loop style carpet covers the floor in fine fashion and the textured white vinyl headliner is intact but shows possible moisture intrusion through staining. The trunk is lined and fairly sizable, deep enough to house a spare standing on end.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a diminutive but very clean 1.2 liter inline 4 cylinder rated at 51 horsepower. It sips fuel through a Solex 35 PDSI 1-barrel carburetor and is set into motion via a 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels and 4.11 gears. And yes, the engine bay has a power booster for disc brakes in the front and the drums in the back. This car may not have much in terms of options, but it does have power brakes!
Undercarriage
Impressively clean underneath where basic transportation configuration is efficiently constructed. Not much surface rust to speak of but there are a few spots of oil including on the rear diff, near the driveshaft where it meets the transmission, and some residual oil on the pan. A single exhaust makes a beeline for the back and encounters a stock style muffler and resonator before extending well past the rear bumper. For suspension, the car has coil springs up front and a 3-link, coil springs, and a panhard bar in the back.
Drive-Ability
Between the power brakes and the stout suspension, this is a tossable little coupe with great visibility and a banality that is appealing after driving complex, computerized modern stuff. The 1.2 fired up and into first gear we went, piloting this Kadett around our test loop, rowing the gears and finding the sweet spot amongst the 51 horses. It's not a bad ride at all and the limited functionality did not disappoint with the exception of the fog lights. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
I'm a freshman in college. We needed some snacks for our play rehearsal. A senior throws me the keys to his car and tells me to go get stuff. His car, an Opel Kadett 4-speed. I had never driven a stick shift, ever. But I learned that night. Trial by fire and Kadetts and this writer are forever bonded. Here's your opportunity to pick up a fairly rare car in great condition. You may be lonely, but you won't be alone, the Opel club is vibrant and active throughout the country and you will find like minded individuals with a love for these great little foreign cars.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
