Spacious, affordable, GM genes - Opel Rekord A (historical test)

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Spacious, affordable, GM genes - Opel Rekord A (historical test)

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Created on May 15, 1963

Text:

Olaf v. Fersen

Photos:

Opel/GM

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Opel / PSA

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GM Corporation / Opel

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Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

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Archiv

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Opel Rekord (1963) - European edition of the Chevrolet Chevy II

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Opel Rekord (1965) - a complete departure from the lines of its predecessor, the P2

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Opel Rekord (1963) - accentuated sloping position of the windshield with better upward visibility

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Opel Rekord (1963) - longer wheelbase and wider body than its predecessor

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Opel Rekord (1963) - pleasing dashboard, all controls are combined in one unit

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Opel Rekord (1963) - angular raised fenders characterize the face of the new Rekord

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Opel Rekord (1963) - the new line of the mid-range Opel with enlarged glass surfaces

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Opel Rekord (1963) - the larger wheelbase mainly benefits the passengers

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1963) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1963 - Side view of the Coupé version

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1964) - Mid-range coupé with very attractive bodywork and four-speed fully synchronized transmission with center shift lever - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Opel Rekord Coupé L-6 (1965) - with the engine from the Kapitän - Geneva Motor Show 1965

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1965) - Premium feelings

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1963) - in the color "Laplata silver"

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Summary

Opel by no means reinvented the wheel with the Rekord A from 1963. However, since the masses trusted the tried and tested, valued reliability and did not want to overburden their wallets, the Rüsselsheim-based company, which had already been under the control of General Motors for 25 years, baked a versatile passenger car from familiar ingredients. The result was not an explosion of flavor, but classic home cooking that provided the middle class with all the nutrients it needed. Well, almost all of them, the car wasn't perfect, of course; the rear axle, for example, had a certain lack of innovation. And then there was the matter of the doors... The original test report from 1963 looks back at the Opel Rekord A and shows it with the help of many pictures and illustrative graphics.

This article contains the following chapters

Americans in Europe
Everyday car in a smart dress
No good access to the rear
Suspension and driving characteristics
Engine and gearbox
Waiting for the disc brakes
Driving performance
Equipment
Is it worth the price!
Test results and technical data

Estimated reading time: 17min

Preview (beginning of the article)

According to registration statistics, the Opel Rekord is the best-selling German mid-size car. In the overall statistics, it ranks second in Germany behind the 1200 VW, and in some countries even ahead of the Wolfsburg Mirakel. In other words, the record was already in line with the tastes and wishes of a very large proportion of car buyers. However, technological progress is taking its toll on popular car models. If there were nothing to compare them with, we might be taken in by what we have for years to come - but when the competition produces something better, what yesterday inspired pride of ownership seems unsightly and lacking in performance. At Opel, there was a time last year when a significant decline in sales figures could be observed: Customers began to become unfaithful to the Rekord and turn to new favorites.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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