This almost 50-year-old Opel Kadett B has a rich history and the basic characteristics of this car have fortunately been preserved. Economical, reliable and comfortable driving pleasure: these are the characteristics that this classic is known for. The bodywork has several dents, scratches and spots that have not been repaired. But the car has been technically well maintained for many more Kadett kilometers. Sometimes these traces of use give the popularity and charm that the owner loves.
As far as technical maintenance is concerned, Theo has it well organised. A friend of his, who used to be an Opel mechanic, lives near the Opel museum in Tijnje, where many parts are still for sale. The engine has already been replaced once and now a 1,2-litre power source purrs in the front. As a pensioner, the Kadett is now a wonderful hobby car for Theo, in which you can see the 'car life' through years of normal use.
Commuting
Theo: “As a truck driver, I was looking for a car to drive from home to work with my modest budget. In its glory years, the Opel Kadett was known for its limited maintenance costs and low petrol costs – simply more car for your money. This 4-door Opel B Kadett was offered for sale in Almere in 2011. Surprisingly enough, it was a 4-door, which has now become quite rare.”
Gratitude afterwards
Theo: “Because the car was too nice to drive in the winter for commuting, I was still looking for an Opel Kadett. Surprisingly enough, I got an offer for a 2-door Kadett from 1971 from an acquaintance. At first I wasn't interested, I don't remember why after all these years. But my wife started to gently insist on buying the car anyway. In retrospect, I am grateful, because the 4-door became the summer car, while the 2-door was allowed to show its powerful acceleration in the winter.”
Luxury?
It is special that a sunroof is mounted from the factory for more light and fresh air. The decorative rings on the wheels also give that little bit of extra charisma. The 4-door was still completely in the chrome era of the 70s, with beautiful shiny bumpers with rubber protectors at the front and back. Compared to the A-Kadett, this bodywork is somewhat rounder and also more elegant. And in all its simplicity, you can point out almost all the parts under the bonnet.
Looking at it with relish?
Theo: “I notice that many German tourists look longingly at my Opel Kadett and approach me with the question whether it is for sale. That is not the case. It always proves: the charm of the old continues to attract. Owning a youngtimer, classic or oldtimer on two or four wheels increases your well-being.”
History of the Opel Kadett B
The Opel Kadett B was introduced in 1965 as the successor to the Kadett A. The Kadett B was produced until 1973 and was available in several body styles, including a sedan, coupé, and station wagon. The design of the Kadett B was slightly larger and more modern than its predecessor, with a new, more elegant and streamlined appearance. The model was very popular due to its economical engines, reliable technology, and affordability.
The Kadett B was also available in a 4-door variant, which was sold less frequently than the 2-door models, making the 4-door a rarer sight today. The car was available with various engine options. Ranging from 1.0 to 1.9 litres, with the 1.2-litre engine, as in Theo's car, being one of the most popular choices.
Opel offered several versions of the Kadett B, such as the “L” (luxury), “LS” (luxury sport). And the sporty “Rallye” version, which were quite popular with younger drivers and motorsport enthusiasts at the time. The Kadett B was also used in rallies and other motorsport events. Which contributed to Opel's sporty image at the time.
With more than 2,6 million units sold, the Kadett B became one of Opel's best-selling models and established the brand as a reliable choice in the compact class. Today, the Kadett B is valued as a classic with a timeless design. Especially among collectors and vintage car enthusiasts.
My first car was a 2-door B Kadett sedan and I drove it for 10 years. I did all the maintenance myself, which was also very simple. After 10 years a half shaft broke, which made a sound like a machine gun going off under the car. Well, that was the end. Then came a B Kadett station wagon 1973, 2 doors. I drove it for 15 years and during that time I had almost all parts of the car in my hands. In 1991 I was in America for a month and drove an automatic there. When I came back I didn't want a manual car anymore. Then I bought a C Kadett automatic from a colleague that was going to the scrapyard. Then I converted the engine, automatic, cardan, floor pan tunnel and everything else that was needed in the B Kadett station wagon. After that I drove it daily with great pleasure for 14 years. In 2005 the MOT neatly separated us. Car was so rotten that there was a lot of work coming my way and after 25 years of driving a B Kadett I wanted something different. By the way, I always had spare contact points and condenser with me because the contact point spring broke every now and then. Now I have a B Kadett station American version (from San Francisco) with 2,4 l. automatic at home that still needs to be refurbished. Well, 25 years of driving 2 B Kadetts, I have experienced a lot with them and also been under them a lot.
That's nice, our old Kadett.
Beautiful Kadett, the little brother of my brother's car. My brother is a former mechanic at Opel dealer Siton, Buitenpost branch.
The Opel Ascona, 1.6 automatic is from 1972, +/- 76000 km, no car radio, original coconut mats.
This was my first car,
I had one too, had to replace the engine, drive shaft was a mess on the road.
Give me the Ford 12M, I had two of them and they handled the road a lot better than the Kadett.
John Gers
In 1978 I once had to replace the clutch plate and release bearing when I worked at the Van Hek garage: I could easily reach them and that made it a half-hour job!
This Kadett-B is not from 1974 but from 1973, it is simply an old car, production stopped in July 1973 and from August 1973 the Kadett-C was produced, but the last Kadett-B were sold in 1974.
I have been a master guest in Mol Belgium at Opel Tuerlinx for 17 years, I once had an A coupe for a long time, once bought a B 1100 new, I am now 80, but I still remember the good times well ,,,,, I had a lot of B customers, and they had very few worries with their cars ,,,,,, apart from the prescribed checks we never saw them, and if there was something, it was small things ,,,,,, we could RESTORE those cars ,,,,, now they only REPLACE ,,,,,,,,, yes good times !!!!!
beautiful that's how it is!!!
According to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQ8wGDrxwQ the Kadett B never existed in a 1.0 version. The C used (due to the oil crisis) the one-liter from the Kadett A. Curious who is right.
I have an A and a B
The A was only available with the 1 litre engine, and the B with a whole range of engines except the 1 litre.
The 1 liter continued to exist until the E Kadett (and the Corsa)
Maybe even in a stray Astra F.
But in the B there has never been a 1 liter from the factory in the Netherlands.
A rock-solid car that was for sale at a democratic price, also cheap to maintain.
4-door sedans were more expensive when new than 2-door sedans, which was the case with most brands. Often 2-door versions are incorrectly called coupes. A real coupe had a lowered and shorter roof and often also a regular trunk (like the Record from that time).
Due to the fact that, especially here in the Netherlands, 2-door variants are considered more attractive for unknown reasons, the 4-door models are now almost extinct.
The same goes for the Volvo Amazon. Personally, I always find the 4-door models more beautiful from the side than their 2-door siblings.
Tastes differ. I think two-door cars are nicer than four-door ones. In America they say: that one has two doors too many 😀
I myself have a Volvo Amazon 2-door. Not a coupe indeed because that never existed.
It depends, with old cars 2 doors are usually nicer, with modern cars 4 doors are usually nicer.