Which one would you have bought back then, which one would you prefer today?
Imagine it is 1967, you have saved for a long time and can afford a new car. The choice falls on either the VW 1300 (Beetle) or the Opel Kadett. So you read the test reports in the leading car magazines and compare the results. The differences do not appear to be too great:
| Criterion | Opel Kadett | VW 1300 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine capacity ccm | 1078 | 1285 |
| Power PS | 45 | 40 |
| at rpm | 5000 | 4000 |
| max. torque mkg | 8.3 | 8.9 |
| at rpm | 2400 | 2000 |
| Number of gears | 4 | 4 |
| Body | self-supporting | Platform frame |
| Length mm | 4182 | 4070 |
| Width mm | 1573 | 1540 |
| Height mm | 1397 | 1500 |
| Wheelbase mm | 2416 | 2400 |
| Front inside width mm | 1270 | 1180 |
| Inside width rear mm | 1250 | 1320 |
| Weight kg (DIN) | 750 | 780 |
| Turning circle l/r m | 10.6, 10.35 | 10.3/11.7 |
| Steering wheel turns | 3 | |
| 0 - 100 km/h s | 20.6 | 28.5 |
| Top speed km/h | 126 | 125 |
| Test consumption l/100 km | 11 | 10.8 |
| Interior noise at 100 km/h Phon | 76 | 78 |
| Price 2-door DM | 5175 | 4980 |
| Price 2-door CHF | 6900 | 6675 |
But in fact, the two cars are completely different. The Beetle's design dates back to the 1930s, while the Kadett is a much more modern car. It offers more space inside, but above all has a huge trunk. It has good driving characteristics and a quiet, low-vibration engine. Only in terms of suspension comfort and the quality of the bodywork and workmanship can the Beetle score points, according to the tests of the time (VW 1300 in AMS 18/1965, Opel Kadett in AMS 4/1966) .
For you as a buyer, however, there are other criteria, such as how much you can still get for the car after two or four years, how close the nearest garage is and whether you have to reckon with breakdowns.
So which of the two would you have bought back then?
And, perhaps even more interestingly, which of the two would you buy today?
Obviously, the VW 1300 is in much greater demand today; after all, according to Classic Data, an example in condition 2 easily costs EUR 16,100, while the Opel Kadett can be had for EUR 6700 . The development in value in recent years also speaks in favor of the VW Beetle.
And when we were recently out and about in both cars and asked passers-by which they would prefer, most of them opted for the VW. Perhaps because the Beetle simply radiates more sympathy and the "Yay" effect speaks in its favor ...
