1959 was a good year. Lolita topped the charts with "Zeemann". On the way, Mercedes came with a brand new car and Opel got a new Kaptein.
Most beautiful Opel ever
It was no secret that the P2 was designed on the same platform as the P1. The two cars had the same wheelbase, while the new one was a little wider, a little longer – and a little less American. The new Opel Kaptein was not only beautiful – it also sold better than all the Kapteins both before and after.
America inspired
It has been a long time since an Opel could measure up to a Mercedes. It could do that in 1959 when both came with completely new models. Mercedes' new models W110 and W111 – the so-called "find Mercedes" were perhaps the best mass-produced cars of their time. The year before, Opel had launched a brand new Opel Kaptein with large fins and panoramic windows front and rear. The P1 looked like an American, but was too strong a diet for sane Europeans. Many complained about poor visibility through the panoramic windows and tight access to the back seat because the rear window actually curved into the door opening. It sold so poorly that the management at Opel began designing a new Kaptein – the P2 – which came in 1959.
Facts Opel Kapitän P2
Production time: 1959-1963
Engine: 2,6 liter inline six.
90 HP at 4100 rpm
191 Nm at 1900 revolutions
Front suspension: Double A-arms
Rear: Rigid rear axle with leaf springs
Brakes: Drums
0-100: 16 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h
Consumption: 1,21 litres/mile
Source: Auto Zeitiung test of Mercedes 220SE against Opel Kapitän
Click on an image to view in a larger format.
Copyright notice
See
