Classic Velocity

Your eyes do not deceive you….This is a popular German sedan from the 1960s. In 1964 Opel introduced a trio of models on a new platform. It was called the KAD platform after the three models being introduced; the Kapitan, the Admiral, and the Diplomat. They featured 2.6 liter and 2.8 liter straight six engines. In 1966 a Chevrolet 4.6 liter V8 from parent company General Motors was added as an option, but it was most often sold along with the Admiral and Diplomat models. The Kapitan name has a history going back to the pre-war period. Several iterations shared the name despite very different appearances.

The model had four doors, a large interior, and would have looked at home in America, and indeed, up to two thirds of production at times left Germany for overseas markets. It was over 16 feet long and over 6 feet wide. It was aimed at executives and …..ahem….captains of industry at a time when the competitors from Mercedes and BMW cost 2000 marks more (about $500 at the time). The Kapitan was the bargain model of the trio introduced, with fewer luxury appointments. Regardless, it was the fastest 6 cylinder 4 door sedan at the time, and helped to generate record sales by the time the KAD platform was retired in 1969.