The year was 1862 when Adam Opel He decided to found an automobile company using his surname, although it was not until 1899 when Opel began producing automobiles at its plant in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Since then it has positioned itself as one of the most important firms on the European continent and now focuses on a single direction: that of replacing combustion engines with electricity throughout its range. But before this happens, the brand has made a review of its 125 years of history with a celebration in style both with its workers and with the public in an open day that we did not want to miss.
The sunny day full of activities began with an official ceremony at the Adam Opel House filled with well-known faces such as himself CEO of Opel, Florian Huettl, the greatest exponent of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, accompanied by both the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein. Immediately afterwards, all these personalities moved to the Rüsselsheim plant to learn more about the production process of the current generation Opel Astra.
Jewelry on wheels
But, without a doubt, one of the most notable activities of the day took place in the N50 building, where the brand inaugurated a pop-up exhibition as part of a journey through the last 125 years through its most important automobiles. The Opel Kapitän, Manta, Calibra and GT They could not be missing, but neither could the first Opel in history, the Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann, in addition to other icons such as the “Green Monster” of 1914 and its advanced technology of four valves per cylinder that allowed it to develop no less than 260 horsepower. at that time. Of course, they didn’t miss the event either. Opel Speedster, Astra OPC, Corsa GSi and the Manta 400 of Group Bamong other models.
But of course, if we talk about jewels on wheels we also have to remember those vehicles that served as inspiration for some of the brand’s most outstanding street models. Of course, we talk about the different prototypes that the Opel Design Studio has created throughout its 60 years of history, boasting in 1964 that it was the first design center of a manufacturer in Europe. It is not surprising that the Experimental GT from 1965, CD Concept from 1969, GW Geneva concept from 1975 and GT Concept from 2016, to name a few, captured the attention of all attendees. Although, of course, more modern concepts such as the GT X Experimental, Opel Experimental and the Manta GSe also aroused the public’s admiration.
Furthermore, all those who did not want to miss this event had the opportunity to experience up close for the first time the new Opel Frontera and Opel Grandland, as main exponents of the new electrical era towards which a manufacturer is heading that also wanted to remember its followers. smaller ones with bouncy castles and motorsport lovers, giving them the opportunity to ride the Opel Corsa Rally Electric. Without a doubt, a very complete day that has allowed us to get to know true icons of the branda whole series of jewels on wheels that have shaped these 125 years of Opel.
Specialist in motor and technology issues. Passionate about mechanics and four wheels since I was a child, I now try to transmit my experiences to anyone who enjoys the smell of gasoline, the speed, the pleasure of driving, the design and the sound of those engines that make us go crazy. tip
