1968 Opel Kadett

The Opel company has a history that dates to 1862, when it was founded by Adam Opel in Rüsselsheim am Main as a sewing machine manufacturer. Bicycle production began in 1886, and its first Patent Motorcars were built in 1899. Between 1899 and 1901, the company built 65 automobiles. They became the first German car maker to use a mass-production assembly line and, like Henry Ford, resulted in a reduction of manufacturing costs and an increase in production. When the company went public, General Motors acquired 80% of the company, leading them to take full control in 1931, ending the era of the family-run Opel business.

Under General Motors' guidance, the company flourished and has remained one of Europe's leading car makers. In 2017, it came under the control of the PSA Group (Peugeot S.A.), and in 2021, Opel has been a subsidiary of Stellantis

The Kadett name was used by Opel for over three decades, from 1936 to 1940 and then from 1962 until 1991 (the Cabrio remained in production through 1993). The second generation Kadett built from 1962 to 1965 was known as the Kadett A and those built from 1965 to 1973 are the Kadett B. The final Kadett, built after 1984 was known as the Kadett E.

The 1968 Opel Kadett

Opel introduced the 'Kadett B' in 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it was larger, longer, wider, and heavier than its predecessor but continued to wear similarly-styled slab-sided bodies. Pricing remained attractive and the list of body styles grew to include a two- and four-door 'Limousine' (sedan). The three-door 'Car-A-Van' (station wagon) was joined by a five-door version in 1967. The two-door coupe had limited headroom for the rear passengers, and a slightly-redesigned version was introduced in 1967 (the 'Coupe F') with larger side windows and a thinner C-pillar. A fastback limousine body style was added in September of 1967, offered with two or four doors, and was designated as the 'Kadett LS.'

Mechanical Specification

All body styles rested on a 95.1-inch wheelbase platform with the fastback coupe having an overall length of 164.6 inches, the sedan measuring 161.6 inches, and the station wagon was 160 inches in length. They were the first Kadetts to be equipped with disc brakes on the front wheels (9.4-inch diameter discs). Braking on the rear was accomplished via 7.9-inch diameter drums. The brakes were controlled hydraulically, with the single hydraulic braking circuit being replaced in February 1967 by a dual circuit system.

The suspension initially remained the same setup as used in the Kadett A. In August of 1967, the longitudinally mounted leaf springs used in the back were replaced with coil springs, trailing arms and a Panhard rod.

Between 1967 and 1970, the Kadett could be powered by a 1,698cc engine, known as the 1.7S or 1700S, with 9.5:1 compression (higher than the compression used for the Rekords) and offering 74 horsepower. A 1,897cc version of the Camshaft in Head (CIH) engine was offered from 1967 to 1973 and installed in approximately 143,000 examples. With 9.5:1 compression, it delivered 89 horsepower at 5,100 RPM. Due to octane levels, compression was lowered to 9.0:1 after August 1971. Around 44,000 examples were fitted with the company's smallest CIH, a 1,492cc engine, between 1967 and 1970. Never installed in domestic vehicles, this engine was primarily used for export vehicles sent to the United States, Sweden, Austria, and Finland.

The standard transmission was a four-speed all-synchromesh unit with gear selection performed by a centrally positioned floor-mounted lever. A 'GM Strasbourg' Turbo-Hydramatic 180 three-speed automatic transmission was optionally offered on the larger-engined cars after November 1968, and on the smaller-engined Kadetts following February 1969.

The Opel 'Kadett L' and 'Kadett LS'

Compared to the standard Opel Kadett, the Opel Kadett 'L' added more chrome on the outside, over-riders on the bumpers, and a few additional amenities to the interior. The Kadett 'LS' was the fastback saloon offered between 1967 and 1970.

The Opel Rallye Kadett

The Opel Rallye Kadett was a coupe equipped with the twin carburetor 'SR' version of the 1.1-liter engine (1965 to 1971) or the 1.9-liter high-compression engine (1967 to 1973). Distinguishable exterior elements included a matte black bonnet (hood), black stripes along the side, and twin driving lights. The interior was given black synthetic leather seat coverings and a black panel of rocker switches on the dashboard.

The Opel Olympia Kadett

The Opel Olympia was offered as a luxury version of the Kadett B from 1967 to 1970. It was offered with either a 1100cc, 1700cc, or 1900cc engine, which usually fitted to the Opel Rekord. The bodywork was of the 'fastback' style and the interiors were of a higher grade.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2023