1918 Opel 14/38PS Double Chain Phaeton

This Opel 14/38 PS Double-Phaeton was first registered on October 22, 1918, and later moved to Northern Sweden. It is believed to have had single ownership from 1922 until 1939. By 1998 it was in the care of Eric Löfberg, who sold it on December 2, 1999, to German enthusiast Ernst-August Bremer of Barsinghausen.

The car was given a restoration with a few concessions to modern road use, including turn signal lights and a modern clutch. The exterior was finished in deep burgundy red lacquer varnish, with black fenders, a buttoned black leather interior, and a beige canvas top. There are painted wooden artillery wheels, a brass horn, and a winged Opel-badged motometer atop the radiator shell.

In 2003 the car was brought to the United States and into the ownership of Gerhard Schnuerer, who undertook further extensive mechanical improvements to the drivetrain. After the work was completed, it was shown at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It later earned a 1st in Class at the ATSC Concours d'Elegance in Irvine, California, that same year.

This open is powered by a 3,308cc inline four-cylinder engine delivering 38 horsepower and backed by a four-speed selective shift manual transmission with shaft drive.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2020