Opel Kadett B.

Opel
Opel Kadett (1967–1971)
Cadet B.
Production period:	1965-1973
Class :	Lower middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.1–1.9 liters (33–78 kW)
Length:	4100-4182 mm
Width:	1573-1614 mm
Height:	1400-1405 mm
Wheelbase :	2416 mm
Empty weight :	745 - approx. 900 kg
Previous model	Opel Kadett A.
successor	Opel Kadett C.

The Kadett B was a lower middle class vehicle and the second model in the Opel Kadett / Astra car series . These models have nothing in common with the first Kadett from 1936.

The cadet B was established in September 1965 as successor to the Kadett A presented. Like its predecessor, it had a longitudinal front engine and rear-wheel drive . By July 1973 it had been built over 2.7 million times together with its more upscale Olympia A and is considered one of the most successful Opel models. In August 1973 Opel presented the successor Kadett C .

Model history

General

Rear view

Opel also took over the basic construction (chassis / engine / transmission) for the Opel GT sports car . The Kadett B LS formed the basis for the luxurious Olympia A offshoot . In the basic version of the new Opel model, the engine, which was enlarged to 1.1 liters displacement compared to that of the Kadett A, offered 33 kW (45 hp) of power (5 hp more). The car was now 10 cm wider and the 18 cm longer body had a wheelbase that was 91 mm larger, now 2416 mm. In autumn 1967 there were 28 Cadet and nine Olympic versions to choose from. Two notchbacks, two fastbacks, two coupés and two caravans could be combined with engines between 1.1 and 1.9 liters and horsepower between 45 and 90. The four-door sedan was offered for the first time, a coupé with indicated ventilation slots behind the rear side windows ("Gill Coupé" until July 1970) and the three-door station wagon , traditionally called a caravan at Opel. The on-board voltage was now 12 volts. A three-phase alternator , usually combined with the heated rear window, was offered for an extra charge .

The Kadett S with the higher-compression super petrol engine of 40 kW (55 hp) was equipped as standard with 13-inch wheels and disc brakes at the front, which were also available with the weaker engine at an additional cost. From November 1966, the coupé was also offered to sporty customers as a “Rallye Kadett” with a 44 kW (60 hp) 1.1-liter engine and extended equipment (see section below).

From February 1967 onwards, all types had a dual-circuit brake system as standard, and a brake booster was standard with front disc brakes , previously only as an option.

Improvements and new models from mid-1967

As part of the facelift, the Kadett experienced a special turning point at the end of the factory holidays in July 1967: Vehicles manufactured from this point on were technically improved: externally recognized by the larger taillights [except station wagon], all models offered occupants with the stronger padded dashboard and the safety steering column with three-spoke steering wheel and baffle plate now provide higher passive safety . Fastening points for seat belts were already available in all Kadett B. The biggest change concerned the rear axle: on the central articulated axle taken over from the Kadett A , the wheel-guiding leaf springs were replaced by trailing arms , a Panhard rod and coil springs , which gave the car noticeably better road holding. Furthermore, the front fenders on the new version were no longer welded, but screwed on. The first vehicle with these improvements had the chassis number 1234068. In the parts catalog, between “to chassis no. 1234067 "and" from chassis no. 1234068 “, in short: up-model and down-model.

From August 1967 to July 1970, the Kadett “LS” sedan and the new Opel Olympia model were produced with the new two- or four-door hatchback body. The "Caravan" station wagon was now also available with five doors. Also in August 1967, the Olympia Coupé and the Rallye-Kadett LS came on the market in a separate coupé body (with opening windows that tapered halfway up the rear ). This coupé shape (internally called “Coupé F”) remained in the Opel range as the Kadett Coupé LS and as the Rallye Kadett until the Kadett B was phased out in July 1973. The higher aerodynamic drag of the “Coupé F” resulted in a 5 km / h lower top speed than the older “Gills Coupé” for all engines.

As of August 1970, the hatchback models (Olympia and Kadett LS), the five-door caravan and the "Gills Coupé", which had only been introduced three years earlier, were no longer produced. A Kadett LS was only available with the “Coupé F” body, as was the Rallye Kadett. From August 1971, the output of the 1.1-liter regular petrol engine increased from 33 kW (45 hp) to 36 kW (50 hp). The 1.1-liter super petrol engines with 40 kW (55 PS) and 44 kW (60 PS) were replaced by an engine with a displacement of 1.2 liters and 60 PS. The models from August 1971 were recognizable by the matt black radiator grille from the Rallye-Kadett.

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  Opel Kadett Caravan L (1967–1971)

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  Rear view

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  Opel Ascona 1700 (1968, Swiss production in Biel / Bienne)

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  Opel Kadett LS hatchback sedan
  (1967-1970)

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  Rear view

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  Opel Kadett (1971–1973; with black radiator grille, hub rings and front indicator lenses are from earlier years)

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  Rear view

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  A Kadett B converted into a pickup

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  Opel Kadett-B 4-door sedan 1967-1970

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  Opel Kadett-B 4-door sedan rear view

Body and equipment variants

Internal type designation, first two digits of the chassis number

• Model 31: two-door sedan standard (1965–1973)
• Model 32: Coupé ("Kiemen-Coupé") in L equipment (1965-1970; from 11/66 as a special "Rallye" model)
• Model 33: five-door station wagon (caravan) standard (1967-1970)
• Model 34: three-door station wagon (caravan) standard (1965–1973)
• Model 35: five-door station wagon (caravan) in L equipment, (1967-1970)
• Model 36: four-door sedan standard (1965–1973; Ascona special model for Switzerland)
• Model 37: four-door sedan with L equipment (1965–1973)
• Model 38: two-door sedan in L equipment, special models Festival and Holiday (1965–1973)
• Model 39: three-door station wagon (caravan) in L equipment (1965–1973)
• Model 91: two-door hatchback LS sedan (1967-1970; with forced ventilation)
• Model 92: two-door coupé with hatchback LS (1967–1973; rear changed from B-pillar ("Coupé F"), also as Kadett Rallye)
• Model 95: two-door coupé (only for US export)
• Model 96: four-door hatchback LS sedan (1967–1970; with forced ventilation)
• Model 97: four-door hatchback Olympia (1967–1970; like model 96 with modified front and better equipment)
• Model 98: two-door hatchback Olympia (1967–1970; like model 97, only two-door)
• Model 99: two-door coupé (1967–1970; body like model 92)

The "luxury equipment" of the L and LS models included a lot of chrome trim outside and inside, vent windows on the two-door models (which the three-door caravan also carries as a standard model), bumper horns, ashtrays in the rear, lighting for the engine compartment, trunk and glove compartment, a clock, an illuminated cigar lighter, carpeting, hood release from the inside, etc.

The standard sedan sold better than the L version, with the L having a higher retention rate and being seen more often today. In contrast to its predecessor, the B-Kadett was also available with four doors, initially only as a sedan (L), and after the 1967 works holidays also as a caravan and LS sedan. Extras for the Kadett B that were subject to surcharge included: steel crank roof, 3-speed fully automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter, front headrests, H4 main headlights (from spring 1972), front disc brakes (standard from 55 hp), brake booster, etc.

With these equipment options, the Kadett B stood out from many competing models. The four-door Kadett B 1700 (75 hp) with automatic transmission, which was considered a fully-fledged, comfortable and above all family-friendly sedan and cruising speed of almost 150 km / h, with the four-speed manual transmission, almost 160 km / h, had an exceptional position in this class at that time reached. The 1900 S engine with 90 hp from the Opel Rekord C was only available in the Rallye-Kadett Coupé and the Olympia Coupé, which reached speeds of 170 km / h.

In July 1970, all Olympia types, the model variants Coupé L ("gill coupé"), the five-door caravan, the two- and four-door hatchback sedans LS and the engine variants 15-S (only available for export) and 17-S set.
The two- and four-door sedans, the three-door caravan and the newer coupé body ("Coupé F") as the Kadett Coupé LS and Rallye-Kadett LS (Coupé) continued to be built until 1973.

The Ascona A, presented in the summer of 1970, was originally intended to be the successor to the Kadett B. Since the Ford works in Cologne expanded their range at the same time, the model originally intended as the Kadett C started as the Ascona A and ranked slightly higher. The Kadett B enjoyed a three-year longer construction period until the Kadett C appeared in 1973. This made the Kadett B one of the longest-produced Opel models.

As of February 1969, all models with the 55 hp engine (replaced in 1971 by the 1.2 l 60 hp engine) were also available with a fully automatic 3-speed gearbox on request; as did the Kadett 1700 S with 75 hp from November 1968 and the rally Kadett LS 1900 from December 1970.

Body versions

Body variants of the Kadett B

The four different hatchback bodies that can be distinguished on the C-pillar are remarkable on the Kadett B :

1. the rear side window corner pulled up completely ("gill coupé"),
2. then tapering to a point in the middle ("Coupé F"),
3. and the hatchback version with the corner below in the Kadett LS, which has two doors and
4. four-door gave.

Up to eight different Kadett-B bodies were on offer at the same time:

1. Sedan (1965 to 1973, Kadett and Kadett L two- and four-door)
2. Sedan with hatchback (1967 to 1970, only Kadett LS and Olympia two- and four-door)
3. Caravan (1965 to 1973, Kadett and Kadett L three-door and from 1967 to 1970 also five-door)
4. "Coupé F" (from 1967 as Olympia and Rallye Kadett LS, from 1970 also as Kadett LS)
5. "Gill coupé" with indicated ventilation slots in the C-pillar (1965 to 1970 as Kadett L and Rallye Kadett)

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  1965–1967: "Gills Coupé"

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  1967–1970: Kadett LS hatchback sedan

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  1967–1970: Kadett LS hatchback sedan

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  1971–1973: Kadett LS Coupé

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  1971–1973: The vinyl roof was available at an additional cost.

Engines

In Kadett B two types of engines were used: Most received an OHV engine (engine side camshaft: 10N to 12S, 40-60 hp), which has two variants in Kadett A was incorporated. In addition, the CIH engine (camshaft in the cylinder head) from the Opel Rekord C (15S to 19H, 65-106 hp) was offered.

OHV engines:

• 10N: 40 HP (from? / 72), only for export (for example to Italy)
• 10S: 48 HP (from?), Only for export (e.g. to Italy)
• 11L: 40 HP (only for export)
• 11N: 45 HP (until 8/71)
• 11N: 50 HP (from 9/71)
• 11S: 55 HP (up to 8/71)
• 11SR: 60 HP (from 11/66 to 8/71)
• 12S: 60 HP (from 9/71)

CIH engines:

• 15S: 65 HP (from 9/67 to 8/70), only for export (e.g. to Sweden, Austria and USA)
• 17S: 75 HP (from 9/67 to 8/70)
• 19S: 90 HP (from 9/67)
• 19HL or 19H: 106 HP (from 4/70)

The 19S engine was reserved for the rally coupé in Germany; however, it was available in all models for export to the USA.

The 19HL (HL for "high performance", later only called "19H") was available for 10,904.64 DM (spring 1971) as a Kadett Rallye Sprint on special request. This variant was sold by both Opel dealers and the tuner Steinmetz and could be ordered normally. To do this, however, you had to be aware of this option, because this variant was not included in official price lists. Thus, the number of Sprint rallies sold in Germany remained quite low. In the spare parts catalog there is a supplementary page in the “Engine” chapter with all the parts of the Sprint Kadett that differ from the normal 1900 rally Kadett. After Sweden, the Kadett B Rallye with the Sprint machine was sold more frequently.

Special models

Rally Cadet

Opel Rallye Kadett ("Coupé F", 1967–1973)

The car was only offered as a coupe; until July 1967 exclusively as a "gill coupé" with the 60 hp 1.1-l SR engine with two-carburetor system.

Externally recognizable by the additional halogen high-beam headlights, the matt black paintwork of the bonnet to restrict light reflections, other side stripes, matt black painted door sills and the black interior: synthetic leather seats, headliner, sun visors, etc. On request, the car could also be delivered without a matt black hood and side stripes However, the black sills and the special interior fittings have also been retained in this "understatement version". However, very few customers made use of this option.

Further equipment features: sports steering wheel, three-point seat belts at the front, three-phase alternator , radial tires measuring 155-13 and additional instruments. To the right of the speedometer was a tachometer instead of the large clock, which was housed as a smaller version in the additional center console together with the oil pressure gauge and ammeter.

From 1967 the Rallye Kadett was also available in the new coupé body ("Coupé F") with the 1.9 liter S engine and 90 hp. Due to changed emissions regulations, the 1.1 l SR 60 hp engine was discontinued in August 1971 and was replaced by the 1.2 l S engine of the same power.

Cadet Sports

Another sporty special model: the Kadett "SPORT"

The brochure of this special model advertised with the slogan "Kadett Holiday Sport - for sporty drivers!" This brochure headline left no doubt: the Kadett Sport belonged to the Holiday family. The sport was only built in 1973. In terms of sport, however, it was not - as with other holidays - an upgraded luxury limousine. The Sport is a standard sedan enhanced with sporty extras with a "war paint" similar to that of the Rallye-Kadett. However, the “sport” should by no means be confused with the rally cadet, as the sport was only offered as a two-door standard sedan and the rally is based on a luxury coupé.

The sport clearly addressed young drivers who were offered the sport for 8228 DM as an inexpensive alternative to the 9399 DM Kadett Rallye. The price difference between the two vehicles was DM 1,171.

The only available motor for sport was the 1.2 l S (60 hp) in conjunction with the sport gearshift. The sport was only delivered as a two-door model. The following were added to the standard equipment:

• black matt grille, bonnet and bumper
• black side stripes with “SPORT” lettering on the tailgate
• Sport exhaust
• Tachometer
• Ammeter, oil pressure gauge, time clock (as additional instruments in the plastic center console, as in the rally from 1968)
• Sports steering wheel (steering wheel rim foamed in black)
• Sports circuit
• Brake booster (standard on 12S engine)
• Front disc brakes (standard on 12S engine)
• Torsion bar stabilizers front and rear (standard on 12S engine)
• Sport wheels ( long hole steel wheels in silver / matt black, see Holiday)
• Radial tire 155 SR 13 (standard with 12S engine)
• High front seat backrests with headrests
• 3-point seat belts at the front
• Heated rear window
• reinforced three-phase alternator
• Windscreen washer system with wiper contact

In addition to the equipment shown in the brochure, the sport had other extraordinary details, such as matt black painted headlight frames, window rubbers without chrome piping, black framed rear lights, black license plate lights, matt black exterior mirrors, etc.

Available colors according to the brochure: brick red, ocher and citrus yellow.

Cadet Holiday

The Kadett Holiday (model year 1973 only) is made up of familiar equipment details. These were: sunroof, sports steel wheels, fog lights (large version) and rear fog light, high front seat backrests with headrests and a glued, all-round, narrow, black decorative strip.

The lenses of the rear lights of the Kadett Holiday had a black rim instead of the chrome frame.

Cadet Festival

The Kadett Festival (model year 1973 only) is the luxury version. As a Sport Coupé and Sport Sedan (not to be confused with the special "SPORT" model!), The Kadett shone with metallic paintwork and velor seats that were only used for this model. It was delivered exclusively with the 12S engine, the 3-speed fully automatic was also available on request. The standard equipment consisted of a sports steering wheel, disc brakes, brake booster, stabilizers front and rear, 35A alternator, halogen high-beam headlights, heated rear window, sports bikes with 155 SR 13 radial tires and a double thin shoulder. Prices in DM: Coupé: 8190, - (automatic: 8717, -), sedan 7850, - (automatic: 8274, -) The festival was delivered in the colors Sahara gold, Monza blue and lime green.

Cadet Grand Prix

The Kadett Grand Prix (also only model year 1973) is an upgraded two-door standard sedan. In addition to the standard equipment, it has carpeting, sports steering wheel, steel belted tires 155 SR 13, three-phase alternator 45 A, heated rear window, 3-point seat belts, adjustable backrest on the passenger side, vent window at the rear, hood lock with internal operation. The Grand Prix was delivered in the colors brick red, ocher, arctic white and sierra beige. For a surcharge, the Grand Prix was also available with the 1.2-liter engine, with a fully automatic 3-speed transmission on request.

Kadett XE (prize boxer)

The XE (for "EX-port") is an extremely economical model with the simplest of features. It was on sale in Europe for years, in Germany it was only offered in two special offers. In the second campaign, he was called “Preisboxer” in an effective way.

Cadet Export USA

From November 1965 to autumn 1972 the Kadett B was also offered in the USA through selected Buick dealers. The export model for the USA differed from the other models. With the bis chassis no. Models, the differences were still small, e.g. B. special round indicators in the lower air baffle, hazard warning lights and other air filter housings. From model year 1968 onwards, the export models for the USA were given a front similar to the Olympia A (both the radiator grille and lamp rings differ from those of the Olympia A in details) with sealed beam headlights and side marker lights on the front fenders. In the last few years of construction, even larger rear lights were introduced into the series, which protruded further into the side walls. After the 1967 factory break, the gill coupé was no longer offered in the USA. In addition, the four-door was only offered sporadically in the USA, namely in the model years 1966/67 and 1971/72. In total, Opel sold around 430,000 units of the Kadett B in the USA through the GM sister company Buick , which advertised it as “Mini Brute” (“the little ruffian”).

Kadett Export South Africa

The Opel Kadett, sold by GM in Port Elizabeth and assembled in Aloes, P. E., initially differs from the other models in that it is right-hand drive. On the outside of the Bis model, there are two small round reflectors next to the indicators on the front and rear. Technically, this export model differs mainly in terms of the engine and transmission. The engine is a Vauxhall design with 997 cc. The transmission also comes from the Vauxhall Viva . It has a sports gearshift with a specially adapted transmission tunnel.

Cadet sprint

The Kadett Sprint (based on the Rallye Kadett) is characterized by the 1.9 l HL engine (HL for high performance) with two Weber double downdraft carburetors (40 DFO) and 106 hp. The vehicle, developed for sports drivers, was not listed by Opel in any of the Kadett B price lists, but could be ordered as a new vehicle from the Opel dealer or from Steinmetz, who had a special brochure printed for it (price from Steinmetz: 10,000 DM). The Kadett Sprint was launched in small series at Opel when enough orders were available. In addition to numerous sports accessories, a 5-speed gearbox was available on request.

Cadet Special

This model name only existed in Switzerland, the Benelux countries and Denmark. The special from Switzerland has the word “Special” on a red background on both the rear and the front left of the bonnet. The Special from the Netherlands has the lettering "Special" on a black background and only on the rear. The Danish special had a bonnet that was painted matt black in segments like the rally, a variation that is otherwise only available in sedans with the "Sport" special model.

Ascona 1700

The Ascona 1700 (not to be confused with the Opel Ascona series, which was only introduced in 1970 ) is a four-door Kadett B Standard with a 1.7-liter “S” engine, heavily modified interior and some elements of the luxury version. With the exception of the first four copies (from Bochum), it was assembled in GM's Swiss plant in Biel and was only offered in Switzerland. A total of 2560 “Opel Ascona 1700” were built.

Deviating from the standard equipment are trim strips on the bottom of the doors (but not on top) and bumper horns. On the sides of the body, the car is fitted with a decorative strip (stainless steel with rubber insert) on the body bend below the door handles, which was not found in any other Kadett B. Inside, the Ascona 1700 is equipped with ashtrays in the rear doors and carpeting instead of the rubber flooring that is common in standard designs. The Ascona logos (made of plastic with a thin metal coating), which are attached to the glove box lid, the fenders and the trunk lid, were also not found on any other Opel model. The model is labeled “1700” on the C-pillars.

Cadet Brabham

Opel did not offer this variant itself. They were only available as bis chassis number models that were sold by the Dechent dealership in Saarland. It includes changes to the chassis, appearance and engine power (e.g. SU twin carburettors) and is intended for sporting purposes, comparable to the products of the tuners Irmscher and Steinmetz.

Technical specifications

Technical data Opel Kadett B 1965–1973

Opel Kadett:	1100 (1965-1971)	1100 (1971-1973)	1100 S (1965-71)	1100 SR (1967-70)	1200 S (1971-73)	1700 S (1967-70)	Rallye-Kadett 1900 S (1967-73)
Engine:	Four-cylinder in-line engine (four-stroke)
Displacement:	1078 cc				1196 cc	1698 cc	1879 cc
Bore × stroke:	75 × 61 mm				79 × 61 mm	88 x 69.8 mm	93 x 69.8 mm
Power (PS) at 1 / min:	33 kW (45 PS) 5000	37 kW (50 PS) 5400	40 kW (55 PS) 5400	44 kW (60 hp) 5200	44 kW (60 hp) 5400	55 kW (75 PS) 5200	66 kW (90 PS) 5100
Max. Torque at 1 / min:	74 Nm 2400-3200	73 Nm 3000	81 Nm 2400-3600	83 Nm 3800-5000	88 Nm 3000-3800	128 N m 2700	146 Nm 2500-3100
Compression:	7.6: 1	7.8: 1	8.8: 1	9.2: 1	9.0: 1	9.5: 1	9.0: 1
Mixture preparation:	1 downdraft carburetor			2 downdraft carburetors	1 downdraft carburettor		1 register downflow carburettor
Valve control:	OHV : single roller chain, side camshaft, tappets, bumpers, rocker arms					CIH (OHC) : duplex roller chain, overhead camshaft, tappet, rocker arm
Cooling:	Water cooling
Transmission:	4-speed gearbox, center shift from November 1968 a. W. GM three-speed automatic (only with 44/55/66 kW engine)
Front suspension:	Independent suspension on double wishbones with transverse leaf springs below
Rear suspension:	Until July 1967: central joint axle (rigid axle), leaf springs with intermediate layer From August 1967: central joint axle with trailing arms and Panhard rod , coil springs
Braking system:	v + h drums, Ø 200 mm		discs Ø 238 mm at the front, drums Ø 200 mm at the rear (230 mm for 1700 S / 1900 S)
Body:	Sheet steel, self-supporting, all models: 40 liter tank
Track width front / rear:	1250/1280 mm
Wheelbase:	2416 mm
Length:	4105-4182 mm
Empty weight:	745-910 kg
Top speed:	125 km / h	130 km / h	130-135 km / h	140 km / h	135-140 km / h	148–155 km / h	157-166 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km / h:	26 p	21.5-23 s	19-23 p	17 s	17-20 s	14-16.5 s	13 s
Consumption (l / 100 km):	9.0 N	10.0 N	9.5-10.5 S.	10.5 S.	10.5-11.5 S.	11.0-12.0 S	11.0-12.0 S

The cadet in advertising

The slogan “Opel Kadett, in short, O. K.”, which was already used in the previous model, was also used in the Kadett B. In the early 1970s the slogan “Opel Kadett. The car. ”The underscore was also omitted on various occasions. More than thirty years later, Volkswagen used the same claim ("Volkswagen. Das Auto.").

Trivia

The punk band WIZO released a hymn to Kadett B on the album Für'n Arsch in 1991 .

literature

• Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publications, Iola 2006, ISBN 0-87341-605-8 .

Web links

Commons : Opel Kadett B  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Opel Kadett B model overview
• Opel Kadett B France
• Opel Kadett B and Olympia A forum
• Opel Kadett B and Olympia A info page
• Cadet B photos

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Tradition: Compact Opel station wagons trunk and charisma , in Focus from March 29, 2016.
2. ↑ Kadett advertising: "Opel Kadett in short O. K."
3. ↑ Bernd Tuchen: Opel the reliable, three decades of Opel advertising , p. 32 ff., Heel Verlag GmbH, Königswinter (2005) ISBN 3-89880-426-7
4. ^ Kadett advertising: “Opel Kadett. The car"
5. ↑ WIZO - Für'n Arsch , at www.discogs.com, accessed on September 28, 2018