Opel Kadett

The Opel Kadett was a compact-sized automobile from the German Opel company, which is part of General Motors’ European division, offered between 1937 and 1940, then from 1962 to 1992. Production facilities of the pre-war Kadett were transported to Russia after WW II, and thus this early Kadett formed the basis for the Moskvitch 400/420. GM South Africa extended the Opel Kadett name until 1999.

Kadett A

The first Opel Kadett after the war appeared in October 1962; 649,512 cars were built until July 1965. It was later called the Kadett A. In addition to the sedan there was a L (luxury model), a coupe, and a station wagon (called Caravan). The new Opel OHV engine was available as 1.0 with 40 hp and as 1.0 S with 48 hp.

Kadett B

The Opel Kadett B was sold from 1966 to 1973, with two- and four-door sedans (the latter in notchback and, from 1967, also in fastback form), a three-door station wagon, and two coupés (regular and fastback, or Coupé F). One stand-out model from this generation was the Opel Kadett Rallye, with a 1.9 litre engine. Also the two-seat Opel GT was heavily based on Kadett B components, its body made by a French contractor.