Opel Blitz.
The Blitz name ("Lightning") had been in existence as a model in Opel's medium-sized truck line-up for some time - since the 1930s in fact - when the incarnation featured below was introduced in 1952. The design was inspired by the smart American trucks of the era, and I believe used the 1947-1954 Chevrolet cab (also part of GM). Several different rear bodies were available for its chassis. Fire-truck versions were quite common, as were the flat-tray type. Smartest of all though was the Panoramabus, a 17-seat single-decker bus created by outside firm Kassbohrer Fahrzeugwerke, of which 67 examples were built. The Blitz in this picture has a dropside wooden body on it, accompanied by a tall headboard protecting the rear of the cab. A large number of crates are piled up in the back of this particular Opel as it negotiates its way along an Austrian street. As with all vehicles in this range, it was powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine
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A split-screen VW pickup, bearing the words "Austro Sessel" on its slim tailgate and quite possibly being used to deliver furniture at the time, is parked to the left of shot.
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Hopefully the codes used on the registration plates will point to a likely location for this street scene turning up, the buildings visible in the background may also help.
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Return to Page 17 in the vintage gallery.
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