The lion in a nightgown - Opel Kadett S in a (historic) test

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The lion in a nightgown - Opel Kadett S in a (historic) test

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Created on October 1, 1963

Text:

Clauspeter Becker

Photos:

Opel/Stellantis

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Automobil-Illustrierte / Archiv

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Adam Opel AG / Werk

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Archiv

8

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Opel Kadett (1962) - strictly two-door and with a clear notchback body

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Opel Kadett (1963) - A view through the compact Opel

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Opel Kadett (1963) - the family and leisure vehicle

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Opel Kadett (1963) - the Beetle challenger

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Opel Kadett A (1962) - for the economic miracle

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Opel Kadett (1963) - early sedan in "caribbean green"

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Opel Kadett A (1963) - Driving fun with responsibility

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Opel Kadett A (1963) - The German economic miracle

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Opel Caravan 1000 (1963) - the Kadett as a station wagon

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Opel Kadett A (1963) - small car with a big appeal bonus

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Opel Kadett (1963) - Production at the new Bochum plant

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Opel Kadett (1963) - Rigid rear axle with leaf springs, a robust construction

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Opel Kadett (1963) - front axle and longitudinally mounted engine

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Opel Kadett Coupé (1964) - higher engine output makes the Coupé sportier than the saloon - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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Opel Kadett (1963) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1963 - Side view of the coupé

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Opel Kadett S (1963) - longitudinal section through the engine

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Opel Kadett S (1963) - Phantom drawing of the front axle

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Opel Kadett S (1963) - Sectional drawing of the rear axle

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Opel Kadett S (1963) - Highly simplified sectional drawing with engine position and front axle alignment

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Opel Kadett S (1963) - Dimensions of the trunk opening

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Summary

After a literally bumpy start, the Opel Kadett was hardly recognizable in the 1964 model year. Opel had improved the chassis set-up so that the Kadett now stayed on the road even in undulating bends. On top of that, they gave the sedan and Caravan the 48 hp "Super" engine from the coupé. The result was a veritable small sports saloon that was reminiscent of the Mini Cooper S, as this contemporary test report from the "Automobil-Illustrierte" magazine explains in detail.

This article contains the following chapters

A faster Kadett, a better Kadett
A safe-to-drive Kadett
An opposing Kadett
Can S be a little more?
Cramped interior, wide gear ratios
Pleasing interior, small tank
Technical data and measured values

Estimated reading time: 18min

Preview (beginning of the article)

No, you can't see anything from the outside, not even the smallest "S" is to be found anywhere. To the eye, the fast Kadett is a Kadett like any other. Even under the hood there is no obvious trace of the eight extra horses, and you can't hear them easily either. You can only feel them, and not too barely. The Kadett "S" is no longer a wolf in sheep's clothing, it's a little lion in a nightgown. Its harmless guise conceals more energy than you would ever expect to find there. It easily chases its big brothers and their classmates off the left-hand side of the highway - if you want it to. It reaches a speed of 80 kilometers per hour faster than most four-seaters with a displacement of less than 1.8 liters. There is only one exception here, and it is almost twice as expensive.

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