Opel Cadet the Tramp

Opel
Opel Cadet the Tramp
Cadet the Tramp
Presentation year:	1938
Vehicle fair:	International Motor Show
Class :	Lower middle class
Body shape :	Convertible sedan
Engine:	Otto engine : 1.1 liters (23 hp)
Length:	3620 mm
Width:	1375 mm
Empty weight:	755 kg
Production model:	none

The Opel Kadett Strolch was the prototype of an open Opel Kadett based on its economy model KJ 38.

history

The convertible sedan was developed in 1938, but not mass-produced. The reasons included the scarce steel resources in the run-up to World War II and potentially low numbers in this segment. Photos of the model were found in the archives of the Opel plant in Rüsselsheim in 2008 .

There were a total of six prototypes, but they disappeared during the war. A print-ready brochure with technical information shows that the car was more than just a test vehicle . However, it is uncertain whether the model name would actually have been “Tramp”, since the advertising brochure only mentions a “Kadett two-seater”. Rather, the term "tramp" that was found on the archive photos was a company-internal nickname.

The technology of the Kadett KJ 38 was hidden under the open, self-supporting body . The 1.1-liter four-cylinder engine with vertical valves developed 23  hp (17 kW). The power was transmitted via a three-speed gearbox and a cardan shaft to the rigid rear axle suspended from leaf springs. The rigid front axle came from the Opel P 4 . According to the prospectus, the 755 kilogram car “achieved a top speed of 98 km / h. and a safe continuous performance on the motorway of 85 km / h. "

Rediscovery and reconstruction

After discovering the photos, the idea arose to recreate the car. The plan was implemented in 2008. Since there were no more construction drawings , the Classic department of the Opel factory reconstructed the car using the pictures and the brochure. A cadet from 1938, which had been purchased to carry spare parts, served as the basis.

During the reconstruction, the one-piece arched rear in particular was a difficult task for the body shop. For reasons of stability, the end is made from one piece. In order to get to the trunk, luggage must therefore be loaded through the passenger compartment. “Even the design and construction of the folding soft top without precise documents required a lot of imagination and technical understanding,” said Opel.

In order to determine the original color, the photographs were subjected to a gray value analysis. Color information is said to have been found later in archive documents. The reconstructors concluded that the "Tramp" was painted in strong red.

In 2009, the Opel Kadett Strolch was presented to the public and could be seen at the classic car meeting at the Opel villas. Today the car is ready to drive in the factory collection in Rüsselsheim and is exhibited at classic car events.

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  Front section; the VH of the phantasy mark is contemporary for the people of Hessen

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  Flapless stern; luggage was loaded from the inside

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  Interior view with centrally mounted instruments

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  Profile of the front end with additional headlights, following the archive photos

Web links

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

• Archive pictures of the Opel Strolch and individual pages of the advertising brochure, 1938

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Rediscovered after 70 years: Opel Kadett Strolch. Media release by Adam Opel AG, July 29, 2009, online, accessed on May 5, 2016
2. ↑ Oldtimer: Unfortunately, Opel never built this beautiful car . Die Welt , July 21, 2009, accessed May 4, 2016.
3. ↑ Advertising brochure, 1938 , accessed on May 5, 2016. - Roland Wildberg: Opel Kadett Strolch: Der Volks-Roadster . Auto Bild Klassik , July 30, 2009, accessed May 4, 2016.
4. ↑ ^{a b} Opel Kadett "Strolch" - How forgotten pictures became a car . LexiCar.de, April 27, 2016, accessed May 4, 2016.