The Opel Kadett is a vintage family car from the German company, Opel. It was a compact vehicle designed for long drives. It was available in two phases. The first set of vehicles were available between 1936 to 1940. In 1962, the vehicle returned again and lasted till 1993. This remains one of the highest selling Opel cars in history. The vintage Opel Kadett was a classic vehicle with simple technologies. Here is everything about the 1940 Opel Kadett.
Engines
The pre-war Opel Kadett can’t be recreated now. It had the best engineering for a family car. It was not advanced as Opel preferred a simple technology. These models were equipped with a 1.1l inline-4 gasoline engine. The engine featured a water-cooled system and downdraft carburetor. The biggest advantage the engine provided was the high mileage as the speed was limited to 65mph.
Technology
The Opel Kadett original models were all-steel body construction with technology like dry plate clutch, 6-volt electrical system, and electric motor. It came with the manual steering, 4-speed manual transmission, and hydraulic drum brakes. Opel Kadett was a smooth and safe car with an independent suspension. Families enjoyed their trips over the weekends. During the war time, it was the savior for many. Some of the technologies were considered very advanced for its time.
Interior Features
Opel Kadett was designed for 4 passengers. This model featured basic interior features rather than going for advanced luxury features. Though it was a compact car, the cabin space was ideal. In both areas, there were bench seats with vinyl upholstery. Opel Kadett featured a painted metal dashboard with fuel indicator, speedometer, and warning lights. Apart from these, it had sun visors, cabin heater, and ventilation system. Overall, the features of Opel Kadett were great for its time.
Unreal Success
The original Opel Kadett brought in great sales. Opel gained massive profit, but the production ended in 1940 because of the War. This was a big setback for Opel, but they came back again in 1962. The pre-war Opel Kadett was a pioneer of all economy cars with advanced engineering. It gained attention from all sets of buyers. People preferred the Opel Kadett as it had impeccable features and was a lightweight car. It remained one of the best selling cars from Germany before World War II. Apart from Germany, the vehicle sold many units in Switzerland, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Sales
In the first 4 years, Opel Kadett found huge success. It was a surprise for the manufacturers as well. It opened big in the German market. The estimated sales for the 4 years were 1.1l. It carried a great legacy for years which helped Opel rebuild the model again. It was available as a 2-door sedan and cabriolet with a price around 2,300 RM which was very cheap. Some pieces are still available in the collector markets now.
