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Opel Rekord L in a (historic) major test

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Created on June 15, 1962

Text:

Ing. Joachim Fischer / Ing. Christian Bartsch

Photos:

GM Corporation / Opel

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Archiv

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GM Corporation / Opel

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Archiv

40

Opel Rekord (1961) - as a two-door sedan, not to be confused with the coupé

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Opel Rekord (1962) - In a contemporary brochure photo.

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Opel Rekord (1960) - easy access thanks to large doors

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Opel Rekord L (1961) - The elongated body particularly benefits the four-door Opel Rekord saloon. Access to the front and rear seats is extremely easy thanks to the large doors.

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Opel Rekord (1962) - as a two-door model

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Opel Rekord (1962) - View of the interior

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Opel Rekord (1962) - Cockpit with tape speedometer

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Opel Rekord (1962) - Transparency drawing

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Opel Rekord (1962) - Dimensions

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Opel Rekord Ascona (1961) - The P2 on the Opel stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

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Opel Rekord L (1962) - Right next to the Simca stand.

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Opel Rekord (1960) - low-slung radiator grille and full-view panoramic windshield

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Opel Rekord (1960) - flat roof, wide trunk lid for easy loading

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Opel Rekord (1960) - sketch - impressive and generous structure of the side line

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Opel Rekord (1960) - modern design and farewell to the pontoon shape - the glazing and radiator grille are integrated into the design of the side design

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Opel Rekord (1960) - 92% all-round visibility thanks to panoramic glazing front and rear

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Opel Rekord (1960) - calm and clear design of the rear end with panoramic rear window

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Opel Rekord (1960) - as a two-door model

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Opel Rekord (1961) - shown as a towing vehicle with boat

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Opel Rekord (1961) - this is what a successful mid-size car should look like

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Opel Rekord (1961) - not afraid of the mountains

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Opel Rekord (1961) - the elegant passenger car in an airport scene with a policeman on horseback

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Opel Rekord (1960) - stately sedan, shown particularly stretched in the sales brochure

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Opel Rekord (1960) - loving attention to the rear - brochure illustration

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Opel Rekord (1961) - in an exhibition - the new Rekord - time-conscious and classically beautiful

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Opel Rekord (1960) - Sketch - wide doors allow easy access to the interior

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Opel Caravan (1961) - The generously sized trunk was one of the many plus points for the purchase.

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Opel Rekord Caravan (1960) - Station wagon in the color "coral red"

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1961) - For the first time, Opel also offers its mid-size class as a sleek sports model

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1961) - more elegant than the saloon thanks to the flatter rear window

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1961) - sporty version of the Rekord - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1961

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1962) - at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1961) - secondary sedan model with 1.7-liter engine and 60 hp

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1962) - elegant from behind too

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1962) - impressive front design

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1962) - Access to the engine

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Opel Rekord (1961) - Advertising - four doors are advantageous

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Opel Rekord (1961) - Advertising - simply unmissable

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Opel Rekord Coupé (1961) - Advertising for the Rüsselsheim car

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Opel Rekord L (1962) - Like the forging press, the 600 t straightening press has two retractable dies in which the trimmed crankshafts are straightened in two planes.

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Opel Rekord (1960) - Sketch - the dashboard of the big Opel

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Opel Rekord L (1962) - On marks and pennies

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Opel Rekord L (1962) - Further measurements

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Summary

The Opel Rekord L was convincing across the board. The performance, comfort and good price went together, which made the car interesting for families, among others. No wonder this Rüsselsheim model was referred to as a family touring car... This report combines the original wording of the Motor-Rundschau's "major test" of the time with historical images and sales literature from the period.

This article contains the following chapters

The Rekord "L"...
Engine Four-cylinder, four-stroke, overhead valve, in-line engine, water cooling
Transmission Four-speed, fully synchronized
Road holding
Suspension
Brakes
Equipment
Already well covered from the following permanent wish list
Our special wishes...
In a nutshell (summarized
To the penny
Driving performance and further measurements
Technical data

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

It has been said so often, but these have always been the distinctive features of the Opel Rekord: a rock-solid car, designed and manufactured down to the last detail as a matter of course, without surprises, far removed from any revolutionary tendencies. A car for five and large luggage, comfortable to get into and to sit in, even for grandma, because it is high enough on the outside, inside and in the seats. ...is something special. Although it did not yet cost DM 8,000, this 1.7-liter Rekord offered things that were not yet taken for granted: the very flexible and sporty 60 hp engine as installed in the Coupe, a four-speed gearbox, individual front seats with backrests that could be adjusted at any time, plus windscreen washer, headlight flasher, reversing lights, fuel tank lock and heating included in the basic price. With 60 hp and four gears, the four-door "L" is even superior in temperament to the three-speed Opel Coupe and others. This brings the "unsporty" Opel suspiciously close to the "fast" competition:

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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