Grönemeyer's dream turns 60: Opel Kadett B - "Mini-Beast" and Beetle competitor

Today, Opel is particularly proud of its Rüsselsheim site. After all, it's where they build the Astra, the unsung hero of the station wagon charts. "Bochum, I come from you," was the motto for the Kadett B in 1965, however. This Astra ancestor became the first competitor to the VW Beetle, and the Opel also achieved cult status as a rally Kadett.

They do exist, these underappreciated automotive heroes. Who knows that the current Opel Astra is among the world's top ten best-selling station wagons? And this despite the Rüsselsheim-based car's sales concentration in only a few markets – in stark contrast to its ancestor, the Opel Kadett B, launched 60 years ago. The compact Opel was intended to challenge the Wolfsburg flagship of the West German economic miracle, the VW Beetle, and for this purpose, the first post-war Kadett since 1962 rolled out of a specially built factory in Bochum.

But it wasn't until the reissue of the Kadett B, introduced in 1965, that the smallest model, bearing the lightning bolt logo, achieved the feat of chasing the VW Beetle in 120 sales countries – in North America, even through Buick's distribution as the "Mini-Brute" ("Mini-Beast"). In its home market, the Kadett briefly outperformed the aging Wolfsburg bug in the early 1970s, before the Golf redefined the compact class. Opel held a market share of up to 17 percent in Germany at the time, and in the Ruhr region around Bochum, one in three new cars bore the lightning bolt logo.

Wide variety of variants

This was made possible by a completely new model strategy, with which the then General Motors subsidiary Opel also duped Ford's European subsidiaries: The Kadett B was the first car with a self-supporting body, available in 13 different shapes. A variety of variants that Opel promoted in 1966 with the slogan "First car, second car, third car": "But don't worry – in the last six months, more than 160,000 different people have managed to choose the right Opel Kadett from the various models."

In fact, the Kadett model glut was unprecedented: It included classic notchbacks, chic hatchbacks and station wagons (all two- or four-door), coupes, "LS" hatchback coupes, luxuriously styled "Olympia" models, and fast "Rallye Kadett" models as forerunners of the later GTI league.

The engine lineup was no less impressive than the bodyshell: from the small 1.1-liter gasoline engine with 34 kW/45 hp (a touch more power than the VW 1200 and 1300) to the 66 kW/90 hp 1.9-liter engine—a similar level of power otherwise only offered by fast business liners like the BMW 1800 or even the Porsche 912—there was something for every taste. Not to forget the most legendary Opel sports car of all time: the "Only flying is more beautiful" Opel GT was also technically based on the all-rounder Kadett B.

Superstars of the IAA 1965 perfectly captured the spirit of the times

The GT celebrated its world premiere – back then still as an exciting "experimental" concept – alongside the Opel Kadett B: two superstars of the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) that perfectly captured the spirit of the times. Back then, the economic miracle showed no signs of slowing down, the first commercial television satellite, "Early Bird," visualized the pace of technological progress, the opening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel accelerated the travel wave of the affluent, the future "football emperor" Franz Beckenbauer made his first international appearance in the World Cup qualifier against Sweden, "Help!" was released as the Beatles' fifth album, and Coca-Cola not only became the Europeans' favorite soda but also shaped car designs. Clearly recognizable in 1965 in the Opel GT Concept in the shape of a Coke bottle, and a year later in the Opel Rekord C.

The Kadett B, only 4.11 meters long and 1.57 meters narrow, yet still a five-seater, was also American-inspired. The flat, sloping rear end of the coupé and LS fastback followed the US fashion, which saw it as a symbol of speed and power. While the Germans were less fond of the slanted lines than the angular, utilitarian contours of the Kadett sedans and "Caravan" station wagons, at least the Rallye Kadett quickly made history with its fastback.

Away from sedate, towards youthful and cheeky

Away from the bourgeois, hat-wearing driver's snob, toward youthful disobedience with cheeky rally stripes, a matte-black hood, and, in the small Kadett in 1967, a 66 kW/90 hp engine that was almost considered excessively powerful. The Opel GT also received this drivetrain, thus countering sports icons like the Alfa "Bertone" GT, the Lancia Fulvia Coupé, and the Lotus Europa.

The Rallye Kadett seemed to have come straight from the motorsports track to the showroom, and indeed, the little car made a big splash in racing: In 1968 alone, this Opel secured 222 class victories at 238 events, not to mention its sensational victories in the Tour d'Europe and the Monte Carlo Rally (1967). As a popular sports car, the Kadett B wrote a major chapter in motorsport history until the mid-1970s, which also accelerated the development of new rivals, such as Ford (Escort), Renault (12 Gordini), and Mazda (R100/RX-3).

Lifestyle cadet under the label "Olympia"

As a precursor to the mid-range bestseller Ascona A, introduced in 1970 – this name first appeared in 1965 on a Kadett sold exclusively in Switzerland – a lifestyle Kadett under the "Olympia" label was introduced at the end of 1967. Rectangular headlights on a radiator grille wrapped around the fenders, an optional dark-colored roof, and interior refinements such as real wood imitations were intended to give the Opel Olympia a premium image. In vain: of the nearly 2.7 million Opel Kadett Bs built up to 1973, only 80,000 bore the Olympia logo.

The Kadett Caravan was more important, as this station wagon with a 1.57-meter-long loading area was available in both two- and four-door versions and with stylish roof rails. It was a unique offering in the compact class in the mid-1960s. And further proof that the Kadett B was truly meant to appeal to everyone.

Built for eight long years

This is precisely what the smallest Opel at the time achieved around the globe, as its export share of over 50 percent underscored. Regional specialties such as the South African Kadett from the Cape of Good Hope, powered by Vauxhall Viva engines, the export Caravan with a sporty 1.9-liter engine, and the 1.5-liter Kadett reserved for Sweden, Austria, and the USA, underscored this strategy. The Kadett B was produced for eight long years—during which time most competitors changed their designs several times—and yet the small model remained desirable until it was replaced by the Kadett C.

This was ensured not only by regular updates but also by fashionable special models with enticing names like Festival, Holiday Sport, Grand Prix, and Preisfighter. Even competitors recognized the creativity of Opel's marketing: The slogan "Opel Kadett. The Car" served as inspiration for an almost identical VW credo in the 21st century. Similar to the advertising slogan "Opel the Reliable" that served as a precursor to the Beetle's "It runs and runs and runs..."

Today, it's the optionally fully electric Astra with which the Stellantis subsidiary Opel is seeking to connect with Wolfsburg. The days of the Kadett, the top car in terms of registration, are history, but the Astra is also making profitable inroads, and not just in the Sports Tourer station wagon version. The most beautiful homage to the Bochum classic, however, is still sung by Herbert Grönemeyer: "I dream of the Opel Kadett."

chronicle

1936 : The first Opel Kadett is launched. Body versions include a two- and four-door sedan and a two-door convertible sedan. Opel becomes Europe's largest automobile manufacturer.

1939 : The best-selling small car in Germany is, as in the previous year, the Opel Kadett

1940 : War-related production of the Kadett ceased

1946 : The Kadett production facilities are dismantled and delivered to the USSR as reparations. The Kadett is revived a year later with the Soviet model Moskvitch 400.

1957 : Opel chief designer Karl Stief receives the order to develop a compact Opel, which is to be launched as a competitor to the Beetle

1962 : In June, production of the Kadett A, an early example of lightweight construction with an unladen weight of just 670 kilograms, begins in Bochum. Licensed production takes place in Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

1963 : The Kadett Caravan debuts at the Geneva Motor Show, and the Kadett Coupé at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Kadetts take first place in the Tour d'Europe endurance rally from 1963 to 1967.

1965 : On January 12, the 500,000th Kadett A rolled off the assembly line. The Kadett B, later the first Kadett to reach a million-euro production level, was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Opel Experimental GT, based on the Kadett B, also debuted at the IAA. The Opel GT, which evolved into the Opel GT in 1968 with Kadett technology, was also developed. From November 1965 to the end of 1972, the Kadett B was available in the USA through Buick dealers. Starting with the 1968 model year, the US models received a front end design similar to the Olympia. Opel delivered a total of approximately 430,000 Kadetts to the USA. A CKD delivery was made to South Africa, with distribution handled by GM in Port Elizabeth, and the engines and transmissions were derived from the Vauxhall Viva (1.0-liter four-cylinder).

1966 : In October, the one-millionth Opel Kadett rolls off the assembly line in Bochum. Since the Monte Carlo Rally in January, the Opel Kadett has been celebrated as a successful sports car. In November, the Rallye Kadett, unveiled two months earlier, goes into series production.

1967 : In January, Opel celebrated the delivery of the 5,000th Rallye Kadett. From February, a dual-circuit braking system was introduced for all Kadetts, along with standard brake boosters and front disc brakes (previously an option). In August, larger taillights were introduced (except for the station wagon). The Kadett also received a new rear axle; the previous longitudinal leaf springs were replaced by a design with longitudinal and transverse links and coil springs. A so-called safety steering system with a telescopic spindle and joint, as well as a baffle plate and three spokes, was now standard. The Kadett LS and Opel Olympia were launched on the market in September. The Olympia was available as a two- or four-door hatchback and as a coupé, and was available with engines rated at 60, 75, and 90 hp. The upscale features of the Olympia, with a touch of luxury, included an upholstered dashboard and inlays in a fine wood look. The trim on the side panels of the body concealed the bare sheet metal surfaces otherwise typical of the Kadett. In Switzerland, the four-door Kadett was offered under the name Ascona 1700, and 2,560 units were assembled at the GM plant in Biel. The Kadett Caravan was also available with a 1.9-liter engine for export only. A 1.5-liter engine was available for Sweden, Austria, and the USA starting in September (until August 1970). Günther Irmscher, an Opel tuner, achieved success in the Tour d'Europe, and a rally Kadett achieved a class victory at the Monte Carlo Rally.

1968 : From November, a three-speed automatic transmission is available as an option, exceptional in the compact class

1970 : Development begins for the Opel Kadett C, marking General Motors' global T-car project. Production of the Opel Olympia ends in August after 80,637 units. The Olympia's successor is the Opel Ascona. The Ascona was originally intended to replace the entire Kadett B series, but after the release of the Ford Taunus, Opel positions it as an additional model series. The Kadett LS sedans, Kadett Coupé (not LS), and Rallye Kadett (not LS), as well as the five-door station wagon (not three-door), are discontinued. With the exception of the Rallye Kadett LS 1900 S, the 1.7- and 1.9-liter engines are discontinued. This places the Kadett below the Ascona.

1971 : On April 30, Opel celebrates the production of its 100,000th Rallye Kadett. In August, the model undergoes a facelift (the black radiator grille is a visual hallmark) and new 50- and 60-hp engines are introduced. The Rallye Kadett is now also available as a 1200 S.

1973 : The special Kadett Holiday Sport model was launched for the 1973 model year. Other special models were the Kadett Festival, the Kadett Grand Prix, and the Kadett Preisboxer. The top model was the 106 hp Kadett Sprint, available through Opel dealers or the Steinmetz company. Production of the Kadett B ended in July after a total of 2,691,287 units. Of these, 2,191,691 were sedans and coupes, and 418,959 were station wagons. In September, the new Kadett C debuted as the fourth Kadett generation. It was the last compact Opel with rear-wheel drive. Like the Kadett B before it, the Kadett C briefly overtook the Beetle in sales figures, but not the Golf.

1979 : End of production for the Kadett C. At the IAA, the Kadett D celebrates its world premiere as the first Opel with front-wheel drive

1984 : In September, the Kadett E celebrates its market launch at German Opel dealerships as a three- and five-door hatchback and as a three- and five-door station wagon. The top-of-the-line sporty model is the three-door GSI. Production of the identically constructed Vauxhall Astra begins in Great Britain; the notchback version is called the Belmont.

1989 : On October 23, a Caravan Club 1.6i rolls off the production line in Bochum, becoming the ten-millionth Kadett ever. The Kadett E has also been the most-produced Kadett and Opel model of all time for several weeks.

1991 : In July, production of the Kadett ends in Germany. The Astra (F) is its successor starting in August.

1998 : In March, the Astra G goes into production as a three- and five-door hatchback, notchback and station wagon

2000 : From March, the Astra G is also available as a coupé, produced by Bertone in Italy

2001 : Launch of the convertible, also built by Bertone, in March. The Opel Astra increasingly loses ground to the Golf and thus falls to second place in the registration statistics.

2004 : In March, the Astra H was launched as a five-door hatchback sedan, followed by the five-door station wagon in October

2005 : In March, the Astra H also launches as a sporty three-door GTC, gradually followed by the Coupé-Cabriolet TwinTop (2006) and a four-door notchback (2006)

2008 : Opel celebrates the ten millionth Astra

2009 : World premiere at the IAA for the Astra J (the letter I was omitted)

2014 : Cessation of automobile production at the Bochum plant in December

2015 : At the Frankfurt IAA, the Astra K, built until 2021, celebrates its world premiere as a five-door hatchback sedan and as a Sports Tourer station wagon

2021 : The current generation of the Astra debuts and for the first time also with a fully electric drive

2025 : In mid-August, the Kadett B and Olympia A community celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Opel million-seller with an international meeting in Bochum

Important body shapes

• Kadett B (1965-1973) as 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door fastback LS sedan, 4-door fastback LS sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door fastback LS coupe, 2-door rally coupe, 2-door rally LS coupe, 3-door station wagon "Caravan" and 5-door station wagon "Caravan";
• Olympia (1967-1970) as a 2- and 4-door fastback sedan and as a 2-door fastback coupe.

Production figures

• Opel Kadett 1 total (1936-1940): 107,608 units plus 247,439 Moskvitch (from 1947);
• Opel Kadett A total (1962-1965): 649,512 units
• Opel Kadett B total (1965-1973): 2,691,287 units. Of these, sedans and coupes accounted for 2,191,691 units, the station wagon 418,959 units, and the Olympia 80,637 units.
• Opel Kadett C total (1973-1979): 1,701,075 units;
• Opel Kadett D total (1979-1984): 2.1 million units;
• Opel Kadett E total (1984-1993): 3,779,289 units;
• Opel Astra F total (1991-1997): 4.13 million units (excluding Astra Classic);
• Opel Astra G total (1998-2005): 3.95 million units;
• Opel Astra H total (2005-2010; for Eastern Europe until 2014): over 2.7 million units.