Classic Opel Forum NZ

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/other/auction-608307585.htm





in Auckland 027 4907904

Another Opel Kadett originally from New Zealand but now "living" in Melbourne. The state is somewhat different from the one posted by Neville.

You haven't any plans to snap it up then, Cees?

Doesn't do anything for me, so will stick to those from 60s-90s!

Like you I am no real fan of these models, most likely due to the fact that I have not grown up with them. I can understand that a previous generation loves them though.

I have an original letter from GM New Zealand telling of the import of these cars before WWII - They were exchanged via a government to government deal - ship loads of apples for over 200 1938 Opel Kadetts. They were sold right through to 1942 till "the prejudice against German items" stopped the sales - the remainder were finally sold after WWII when new cars were very hard to find.

You are spot on Jim. I got the same story from the guy who owns the Kadett in Melbourne. As a matter of fact he migrated from NZ to Aus and he took the car with him. I have not seen him for quite some time and regrettably he was in bad health. He had a write up from the library in Christchurch telling the complete history of these cars. I never got a copy but it had the same drift as what you were saying. A few months ago I went to a car museum in Victoria and the owner of the museum showed me a picture of an Opel owned by one of his friends. He claimed it was a NZ Kadett but I am not to sure about that. It looks more like an Olympia to me?

I doubt that is an NZ car due to the rag top and two door configuration. At that time the NZ Government wanted 'family cars' and that equated to four door saloons. Might have been one or two 'special' imports brought in with the shipment though as GM high mucky-mucks always had a habit of sneaking a few unusual ones in for themselves as company cars!