Opel is one of the oldest car brands of all, the first car with an Opel logo was built in 1899. Since then, the German brand has experienced many successes, but also a few failures. General Motors took over Opel back in the interwar years (in 1929 to be precise), and in 2017 the French PSA Group became the new owner. The most famous Opel products - Kadett, Rekord, GT, Ascona, Manta - are part of almost every classic car rally.
From the beginnings to today
The hard-working book author Alexander F. Storz is no stranger to the Opel world, having penned books such as "Opel Kadett Story" and "The Great Opels". In fact, he also wrote a book in 2007 that summarized the entire Opel story. This book was revised in 2017, but is already outdated again (PSA takeover) and also sold out.
So Storz revised his book "Opel - Nur Fliegen ist schöner" and gave it a new cover. After the Opel GT of the decade (2007 edition) and the Opel Commodore GS/E (2017 edition), the classic Opel GT of the sixties now appears on the cover.
As in previous editions, Storz covers the entire history of the Opel company, not forgetting bicycles and motorcycles. The Opel Motorwagen based on the Lutzmann system was launched in 1899 and the Laubfrosch (Opel 4/12 PS) marked the company's entry into mass production. There were also motorsport successes to celebrate and a superlative car was developed with the Regent.
The takeover by GM gave Opel access to American design and technology, although this was not always beneficial. Nevertheless, Opel remained successful and in some countries the Opel Kadett was even able to outsell the VW Beetle.
In the new book, the PSA takeover also features prominently in chapter 18; it was actually almost a déja vue, after all, the Citroën Type C had provided the blueprint for the Laubfrosch, although the German courts did not see it that way after a lawsuit by the French manufacturer, as you can read in Storz's book.
Optimism seems to be the order of the day, after all, Rüsselsheim is closer to Paris than Detroit ...
All important model series
Of course, Storz does not fail to present and describe all the important model series that have been created over the 12 decades. So the Laubfrosch has its say, as do the pre-war Kadett, the successful post-war models Olympia, Rekord, Kadett, Ascona, Manta, Astra and Zafira.
Storz also has a heart for "exotics", documenting both Bitter derivatives and the GT models, including the Lotus and Pontiac derivatives. And since the modern era is also represented, the models already based on PSA platforms also have their say.
Picture gallery
The variety of images in this book is also impressive. In addition to the familiar private photos from other Storz books, which show the Kadett and Ascona in everyday life, the current book also includes many factory photos and photos from other sources.
In total, there are around 750 photos that beautifully illustrate the breadth of Opel's work.
No tables, hardly any driving impressions
Storz primarily wants to cover the history of Opel, not necessarily individual models and model series. As a result, there are no tables with technical data, production figures and the like. Storz also largely dispenses with driving impressions, quotes from automobile magazines or brochures, and unfortunately also without literature or an index.
As a result, the 288-page work is a reader and picture book, but it is not lacking in entertainment value and extensive knowledge.
If you are only interested in individual model series, you are more likely to reach for type books, but if you want to understand how Opel has developed and what went well or badly, the Storz book is a very good choice, especially as the EUR 29.90 is a fair price. However, if you already have one of the earlier editions (2007 or 2017) and have little interest in the Opel present, you don't necessarily have to reach into your wallet again, because not that much has changed.
Bibliographic information
- Title: Opel - Only flying is more beautiful
- Author: Alexander F. Storz
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition October 2019 (predecessors were published in 2007 and 2017)
- Format: Hardcover, 23 x 30.5 cm
- Scope: 288 pages, 750 pictures
- ISBN number: 978-3-613-04195-0
- Price: EUR 29.90
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Motorbuch Verlag or in well-assorted bookstores
