Opel

Introduced in 1938, the Opel Kapitän was Opel’s flagship model and one of the most advanced German cars of its time. Featuring modern unitary construction and powered by a smooth 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine, it was available in a variety of body styles including saloons, coupés and cabriolets. Production was interrupted by the Second World War, but in 1948 the Kapitän returned as Germany’s first post-war six-cylinder passenger car. Initially, the new model closely resembled its pre-war predecessor, although it featured revised suspension, improved comfort and more contemporary details such as round headlights. In 1951 Opel introduced a comprehensively updated version with abundant chrome trim, a bold American-inspired grille and a more powerful engine developing up to 60 hp. 

Introduced in late 1953, the all-new Opel Kapitän was larger, wider and far more modern than its predecessor. Influenced by contemporary American styling trends, it featured clean lines, generous chrome trim and a spacious body that helped make it one of Germany’s most popular large cars. Power came from Opel’s familiar 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine, which was gradually upgraded from 68 to 75 hp during the model’s production run. Continuous improvements included a facelift for 1956 and the introduction of an optional overdrive transmission in 1957. Combining comfort, reliability and respectable performance, the Kapitän became the third best-selling car in Germany, behind only the Volkswagen Beetle and Opel’s own Rekord. More than 154,000 units were built between 1953 and 1958.

The 1958 Kapitän (series P1), introduced in June 1958, was both wider and lower than its predecessor, and featured panoramic windows. It won praise for its American-inspired styling, but critics pointed out that the extent of the wrap-around front and rear windows, along with the slope of the rear roof-line, restricted the driver's view out unnecessarily and made the rear doors very narrow: many back seat passengers, once they had negotiated their way onto the back seat had headroom issues. The P1 was built only for one year. From June 1958 to June 1959, 34,282 were produced, which was fewer cars than the annualized output of either its direct predecessor or of its direct successor.

Introduced in August 1959, the Opel Kapitän P2 featured a completely redesigned body with a more angular roofline, a revised rear end and a distinctive new grille, while retaining the panoramic windscreen of its predecessor. Beneath the bonnet was a new 2.6-litre six-cylinder engine that provided improved performance, allowing a top speed of 150 km/h. Buyers could choose between a manual gearbox, an overdrive transmission or, from 1960, a modern automatic. The P2 proved exceptionally popular and became the most successful Kapitän generation ever built, with more than 145,000 units produced.

Introduced in 1964, Opel’s KAD range consisted of the Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat, three closely related executive cars that shared the same body but targeted different buyers. The Kapitän served as the entry-level model, the Admiral occupied the middle ground, while the Diplomat represented Opel’s flagship, available with powerful Chevrolet-derived V8 engines and, from 1965, an elegant Karmann-built coupé. Combining American-inspired styling with German engineering, the KAD models offered spacious interiors, smooth six-cylinder engines and a level of comfort previously unseen in Opel’s range. A facelift in 1967 brought styling refinements and technical improvements.

1964

1965

Introduced in 1969, the second-generation KAD range featured completely new bodies and more sophisticated engineering. The Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat were slightly more compact than their predecessors but retained their distinctly American-inspired styling. A De Dion rear axle improved handling, while six-cylinder engines remained standard across the range. The Admiral could also be ordered with fuel injection, while the flagship Diplomat offered a powerful Chevrolet-derived 5.4-litre V8. The Kapitän was discontinued in 1970 after disappointing sales, but the Admiral and Diplomat remained in production until 1977. Despite their refinement and comfort, the KAD models struggled against strong competition from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Their successor, the Opel Senator, arrived in 1978 with a more modern and distinctly European character.