Within 50 years, not only has a lot of water flowed down the stream, but also a lot of sheet metal down the assembly line. By way of illustration: When the Alt-Opel IG was founded, the Rüsselsheim-based manufacturer had just introduced the Rekord D. Opel GT, Diplomat B and Manta A were still available as new cars from friendly Opel dealers.
Today, even the latest successors to the rear-wheel drive mid-size class are at least 20 years old and are not only accepted but also well represented in the interest group. The younger club members were not even born when the club was founded.
Memories of shared experiences
To mark the completion of half a century, Alt-Opel IG initiator and founder Eckhart Bartels has now published the book "50 Jahre Alt-Opel IG - ... never alone again", which looks back on the beginnings of the organized Opel passion and its development to the present day. It was important to him not just to tell the history of the club, but to remember shared experiences. In this respect, his book looks less like a commemorative publication and more like a 272-page edition of the club magazine - which is no shortcoming for a large-scale "Do you remember back then ..." in paper form. The photos from the seventies are particularly appealing with their contemporary clothing and hairstyles.
The annual Opel meetings, where the IG members gather, play a special role. Bartels looks back at all 50 with photos and short texts: From the beginnings, when a few post-war captains and Olympias met on a meadow, to the several hundred cars strong, model gapless annual meetings of more recent years. Members who are well-known in the scene, particularly committed or long-standing members are also introduced or have their say. The Opel scene abroad (even in the USA) and the IG's relationship to it are also covered.
Information and contemporary history
However, there is a historical and informative section, which makes "50 Years of the Old Opel IG - ... never alone again" above the level of a pure family album. Bartels not only outlines the historical and automotive environment in the founding year 1972, but also tells the Opel story after the war in the annual context of the Federal Republic of Germany and its competitors in short chapters. An unexpectedly scientific component of the book is the appendix, which contains an eight-and-a-half-page table listing the stock figures of all Opel vehicles in Germany from 1984 to 2022 by model and motorization.
Of the 3150 examples, around 2800 will be given away to all members of the Alt-Opel IG, which will certainly trigger one or two "Oh-God-I-looked-like-that" moments. The remaining 350 or so copies can be purchased by anyone at a price of €35 while stocks last. Anyone interested in Opel history in general should consider buying a copy. Because after 50 years, the Alt-Opel IG is now itself a part of the brand's history.
Bibliographical details
- Title: "50 years of Alt-Opel IG - ... never alone again"
- Publisher: Eckhart Bartels
- Language: German
- Publisher: Percht Media
- Edition: 1st edition, June 2023
- Scope: 272 pages, approx. 600 photos
- Format: 210 x 297 mm, hardcover
- Price: EUR 35.00
- ISBN: 978-3-949025-32-7
- Buy/order: from Percht Media or via the Alt-Opel IG
