Opel Admiral. The model was first introduced in 1937 and was designed to compete with Mercedes-Benz, Horch and Maybach. The model was available as a four-door sedan and a convertible. Unlike its competitors, the Admiral was sold much cheaper and was more economical. In combination with the exquisite design, economy and dynamics of the engine, the car had a great demand and was actively sold.
Vadim Zadorozhny’s Museum of Equipment, Moscow
Years of production: 1937-1939
Country of origin: Germany
Issued: 6,404
Weight: 1605 kg
Power: 74 hp
Speed: 132 km / h
The Opel Admiral is a luxury car made by the German car manufacturer Opel from 1937 until 1939 and again from 1964 until 1977.
The first Admiral was introduced early in 1937 at the Berlin Motor Show, although production did not begin until the end of the year, with just eight being produced in 1937.
The model was an attempt to challenge luxury cars in the growing 3.5-litre class from Horch, Mercedes-Benz and Maybach. However, it came with a substantially lower price than the similarly sized and powered cars from these premium manufacturers, which combined with its generously proportioned but technically straightforward chassis to make it a favorite with builders of specialist car bodies.
Unlike the slightly smaller unitary bodied Opel Kapitän introduced at the end of 1938, the Admiral used a traditional separate chassis. It turned up with several different bespoke cabriolet and limousine bodies, and also provided the chassis, engine and running gear for various substantial ambulances.
The car was powered by a newly developed 3,626 cc straight-six engine for which a maximum output of 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) was quoted, along with a claimed top speed for the standard bodied cars of 132 km/h (82 mph).
The engine was shared with the 3.5 ton Opel Blitz truck produced at the manufacturer’s recently opened commercial vehicle plant at Brandenburg an der Havel southwest of Berlin, and similar enough to the Chevrolet and Vauxhall/Bedford straight-sixes of the time that many service parts interchanged – something that was discovered when the Germans and Allies captured each other’s vehicles during World War II.
