1937 Opel Olympia 2-Door Convertible

Description

Named in anticipation of the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, the Opel Olympia was introduced in 1935 and was the first German car mass-produced with all steel unitary construction. By this time Opel was the number one European producer of vehicles, churning out over 100,000 cars per annum. The car was offered as a saloon (in both four and six light configuration) or as a cabriolet (as here) with modern, aerodynamic styling influenced by Germany’s new autobahn network. The 1.3 litre side-valve engine developed 24bhp (29bhp from 1937) driving through a three-speed gearbox (a four speed was introduced in 1937), which braking was originally mechanical and then hydraulic from 1937. In late 1937 the Olympia was further enhanced by a new 1488cc overhead-valve engine and remained in production in this form until war broke out in 1945. Not many German cars of the era survive with even fewer in this country, making the Opel a rare collector’s item and a welcome alternative to the more common British and American pre-war cars found here.