A future-oriented and modern car that was supposed to compete with the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Escort. Although it was named car of the year in 1985, it is unlikely to become a classic.
Why did you choose Kadett E?
I have had the pleasure of owning a 1985 Kadett E bought new at Chrico Bil in Ensjø - my first new car. The aerodynamic shape had something in common with the Ford Sierra. The model followed a trend I had seen earlier in prototypes from GM. I ordered my Kadett with a 5-speed gearbox - despite the fact that at the time there were no Kadetts with that gearbox in Norway. The 1,3 S OHC engine produced 75 hp, and could be pulled out well on the gears. I used 3rd gear for quick overtaking and 5th gear on the highway as long as the climbs weren't too steep. I liked the safe and predictable driving characteristics.
My car was an LS, but by mistake the factory had fitted a GL badge on one side and LS on the other. But I didn't complain. The Opel logo on the hood was blank as on the GL. Later I pimped up the car with expensive GLS capsules. Inside, I had chosen light gray fabric upholstery. I liked the modern dashboard with center console. In 1985, it was not as common for small cars to have a center console.
Variants and engines
From the introduction in the autumn of 1984, you could get cars with 3 and 5 doors as a combi-coupe - or 3 and 5 doors as a Caravan. From model year 1986, you could also get the Kadett as a 4-door sedan. Cars from the 1986 model year also got a wider rear luggage handle. The engines were 1,2, 1,3 and 1,6. The standard gearbox was a 4-speed manual. As an option, you could order a 5-speed gearbox or a 3-speed automatic transmission. From 1989, Kadett came with a facelift with, among other things, a new separate grill and front bumper, a new steering wheel and changes to the instrument panel. On the engine side, the 1,3-litre engine was replaced by a new 1,4-litre engine.
Cadet GSI
Today, there are projects based on the GSI edition that keep the model alive. The Kadett GSI was created as a top model to compete with the Volkswagen Golf GTI (mk2). The Series 1 model got a 1,8 liter SOHC engine with 8 valves. With 115 hp, you could accelerate from 0-100 in 9 seconds and reach a top speed of 203 km/h. The GSI was no worse car than the Golf GTI – but the Golf was already a legend. Opel upgraded the powertrain in the GSI for the 1989 model with a 2-liter DOHC 16V – 156 hp. Then it could kick off - 0-100 in 7,3 seconds and a top speed of 217 km.
Classic - or not?
I mentioned at the outset that the Kadett E is unlikely to become a classic. It was designed by Bertone, who in the 80s designed cars with the same features. Notice how all four sides of the car slope inward from the bumpers and side moldings. It brought out a futuristic feel - where you can sense future views with flying cars. The changes from the 1989 model made the model less futuristic and in the subsequent Astra (F) these lines were completely gone. It was clear that Opel was looking to return to a more conventional form as in the Ascona and Vectra.
About the pictures
The car in the main picture was the undersigned's car, which was bought new for NOK 93 and traded in after 000 years. It would take almost 3 years (!) before the car was separated and scrapped, so this was not a bad car. The interior image is a press image of the Kadett GSI. The photo of the racing car was taken northeast of Barcelona in a hill race for classic cars. Photo: Wirephoto. The picture of the red car at speed is of a Kadett GLS - also a press picture. The red car in the snow is an early Kadett LS photographed outside Økern Bilauksjon in Fornebu. The red car with facelift is photographed at a car meeting in Perpignan, 30. Here you can see a general problem with Opel from this period, where the plastic has faded in the sun. The picture of the station wagon is a press photo. Source: FavCars.com.
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