Another birthday to celebrate: the Opel Kadett turns 80 years on the road

There are car models that seem to accompany us throughout our lives. These are some that we have come to know as we grew up and heard our parents talk about them. Some, even our grandparents. It’s no surprise, because some of them have made it to our day after a long journey since the first one rolled off the assembly line. The Opel Kadett, for example, celebrates 80 candles this year, which is no small feat.

The first Opel Kadett rolled off the assembly line in 1936, and this first generation lasted until 1940. Four years to establish a reputation as a reliable car, which began standing out for its design and capabilities. Germans discovered a car they liked and which, thanks to its 1,073 cc engine, delivered 23 CV and a top speed of nearly 100 km/h. This first generation enjoyed a facelift in 1938, which improved part of its appearance and characteristics. A tuning update that is considered an intermediate generation.

The second generation was called Kadett A and was produced from 1962 to 1965. In these three years, 650,000 units were built. Its three-box, two-door body won over German buyers, who saw it as a serious car with a modern look that excited them. The engine stayed at a displacement of 1.0 litre and power was raised to 40 CV.

Between 1965 and 1973, more than 2.6 million units were built, powered by a 1,078 cc engine delivering 45 CV, although a 1.1-litre engine offering 55 CV was also introduced. An export share of 50% was achieved, with the car present in 120 countries.

The generations kept coming, each leaving its mark on an ever-growing number of buyers. As happens with this type of car, many who bought a Kadett remained loyal to the model and moved from one generation to the next. Even when its name changed to Astra from 1991, it kept its prestige, and those who had the Kadett as their reference continued to choose it.

After the Opel Astra H, which reached 2009, came the Astra J. The predecessor of the latest generation already incorporated technology that is now fairly common in nearly all new models. The front camera recognises road signs, onboard sensors detect when the driver drifts out of their lane, and the lighting system works very efficiently in curves, avoiding glare. With the brand’s new design language, it reached the new generation, which is called Astra K.

This one, which we have been able to enjoy since 2015, features a weight reduction of up to 200 kg. New engines, more technological equipment and a more modern look make it one of the most popular Opel cars during the 80 years it has been with us. What does the future hold? Well, given its success, we suppose it may double this age.