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A German American - Opel Kapitän (historical test)

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Created on December 1, 1958

Reading time 8min

Written by:

Werner Oswald

Photos:

Archiv Opel / General Motors

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Archiv

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Archiv Opel / General Motors

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Archiv

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Opel Kapitän (1958) - erweckt Neugierde

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Opel Kapitän (1958) - die attraktive Limousine

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Opel Kapitän P1 (1958) - im amerikanischen Stil

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Opel Kapitän P1 (1958) - mit riesiger Panorama-Windschutzscheibe

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Opel Kapitän (1958) - viel Platz, auch für ausgefallenene Hobbies, im Kofferraum

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Opel Kapitän (1958) - neu entwickelte Vorderachse

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Opel Kapitän (1959) - Werbung - der mit dem goldenen "L"

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Opel Kapitän P2 (1959) - mit gradlinigem europäischem Design

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Opel Kapitän P2 (1959) - setzte mit mancher Ausstattungsoption Trends

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Summary

Opel presented the new Kapitän in 1958. With many improvements and American-style styling, the new luxury-class sedan went after customers, but buyers apparently liked the Opel Rekord more than the Kapitän, which is why the latter was revised again after just one year. However, the 1958 Kapitän certainly had many strengths, as Werner Oswald explained in his driving test for 'hobby'. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in historical illustrations.

This article contains the following chapters

Restrained elegance
Just as fast as its predecessor
Economical
Good range, but suddenly empty
Three gears are still enough
Further improved driving characteristics
User-friendly without servo
Lower and poorer visibility
Fully equipped
Economical and easy on the nerves

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The new Opel Kapitän has been well received by the public, but not with the same overwhelming enthusiasm as the last Olympia Rekord. And the latter, strange as it may sound, is now giving the larger model a run for its money. The record was an instant smash hit, so everyone expected the new Kapitän to cause a similar sensation. The factory announced the car with advertising that was almost too promising, which ultimately led to exaggerated expectations; hence the fact that the Kapitän was not striking enough for some people when it finally appeared. They had thought of a grandiose road cruiser with mighty tail fins, whereas they were presented with 'only' a beautifully shaped car of restrained, even noble elegance ...

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