Long-Term Storage: 1958 Opel Olympia Rekord
“Smartly styled and completely appointed, the Opel Olympia Rekford puts distinguished and comfortable transportation for 4-5 passengers on a nimble 100.04″ wheelbase.” So says a brochure showing these baby Buicks made in Germany. This 1958 Opel Olympia Rekford is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Waukesha, WI and they’re asking $4,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Hans H. for the tip!
One of the best-looking station wagons to come out in years, in my opinion, is the Buick Regal TourX Wagon that was semi-recently discontinued after GM and Opel parted ways. That’s a shame. Buick dealerships offered Opels for decades and in 1958 you could walk into a Buick dealership, if they sold Opels, and buy this Olympia Rekford. It would soon lose the Olympia part of the name but I think that gives it a bit of added flair.
For the 1957 model year, Opel introduced a new Rekord with a wraparound windshield and rear window. The Olympia name would disappear within a year or so, but this car still shows “Olympia” on the dash. You can see the unmistakable 1950s-era styling with a lot of GM influence. There was also a four-door sedan (saloon) and a two-door wagon. A convertible and a van was also available. A pickup would also be available in various markets.
The seller is really light for interior photos, this is all they show. I’m not sure if it’s because of issues inside or they just didn’t think it was important to show anything but one closeup photo. The transmission is a fully-synchronized three-speed manual with a column shifter. The seller says the body on this car is complete and in very good condition and it was in long-term indoor storage.
The engine should be an Opel 1.5-liter OHV inline-four with 45 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through that three-speed manual to the rear wheels and the seller says that due to it having been stored for so long, they haven’t tried to start it. The good news is that it does turn over by hand. At the asking price, given the overall visual condition and not counting any hidden rust or mechanical issues, this could be a fun project for someone jumping into the vintage car hobby. Have any of you owned an Opel Rekord?
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Comments
Thanks for this write up Scotty!
I’ve got a Opel Rekord Caravan (that’s the station wagon), but it is a later model from 1967.
But I guess it has more or less the same engine although with 1,7 liter. They used this base engine for decades.
Very reliable cars, own mine since about 20 years.
Sorry, no….this is the old ohv – engine dating back to the 30s; you have got the new cih – engine. It was changed in 1965; nothing is interchangeable.
I am going on record, saying that I’ve never owned a Reckord. But it’s a nice looking car, which I’ve never seen before, and if it was closer, I’d take a look.
I like the styling of the older Opels. You can see a number of different GM influences from the US from that time period. This is just a neat car. If it were me, Id get it sorted mechanically and drive and enjoy it maybe carefully compound out the paint and preserve it as best as possible if its original. Looks like a great solid old car.
Mainly, the ’55 Chevy! My parents owned one of these in the early 60s, it was a reddish brown. I later had a neighbor that also had one, they transplanted a 231 cu. inch Buick V6 into it.
Man this thing looks like a baby 56 chevy hmm small block Chevy mate it to a 700r4 and a shortened 12bolt post a little metal work in frt pop in a 56 grille and directional lights and find a real 56to park next to at car shows and watch all the looks.
Looks more ’55 to my old eyes…
If I had more time I’d be on this. Good condition, nice looking, and unique. Buff it out, put some nice wheels on it and drive it.
Guess this is what I bought some time back – did they make a hardtop ?
No hardtops. They were all sedans, and a station wagon.
I realize it’s unfair to constantly sing the praises of the author, all do a great job, but you have to admit, some wild submissions with this guy. Can you imagine what the staff doesn’t print? It’s clear the US influence, and I actually remember quite a few Opel Rekords. And while I hate doing this, I think SG welcomes corrections, in a civil manner. I read, according to Wiki, the ’58 was still called the Opel Olympia Rekord P1, and had the 1200 motor. In ’58, the wipers got their own motor, previously, the wipers ran off the engine camshaft! In ’59, it simply became the Rekord, and had the new 1500 motor. Regardless, not many ferrin’ cars graced the shores of Milwaukee then, but Opel seemed to be one of them, 2nd to the VW. Most of these became gassers, and while a plausible engine swap would be in order, still a great find. Be fun to know the history of this car.
Back in the early 60’s my family of 5 toured and tent camped out of a 1959 Opel station wagon. Ours was grey in color, but this post brings back memories. Development of the Interstate System and the growing bodys of my sisters and self probably led to father buying a 1963 Plymouth Savoy. I don’t recall any mechanical issues with the Opel.
Not many of these have survived, and this one is amazingly rust-free body-wise. A small block/automatic transplant would help this, and able you to have it as a drivable classic. I’d straighten that rear bumper, paint it a nice color, reupholster the seats and enjoy it ! I’d bet you have the only one at any car show.
We never owned one, but I rode in plenty of them when Dad was stationed in Ethiopia and Germany. Great cars, somewhat more tinny than US cars but the styling influence was definitely there.
Turbo Regal V6 transplant would be nice!! Keep the wheels and have a real nice sleeper…
Looks like a Vauxhall. I think they were re-badged Opels.
The Vauxhall Victor and Opel Rekord looked quite similar, but there were major differences in electrical systems, grounding, chassis layouts, steering and braking, component suppliers, etc. And, the Victor never offered a two door version.
Years ago, there was a story in a car magazine where someone put a corvette motor/tranny In one of these. Kept original rear end, smoked tires forever!
Finally warped the body.
I had a car just like this—same color and everything, while stationed in Germany. It was solid dependable transportation, good for slow lane autobahn driving. Later had a ‘60 and a ‘53. The ‘53 was one of the worst cars I ever owned, but that’s another story.
Honey, I shrunk the early 50s Oldsmobile!
After 2x in Duetchland, safe to say yes owned
Just not that old n not that Kool!
Mine..75 Opal wagn 2 Dr. FI 4Bngr
Looked like a mini 66 chevy nova
Pharfignuegen
P.S.
No Kadett jokes bitte