Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[trigger]

After being a lurker for a long while I've decided to sign up and say hi, I see a few familiar names on here as well!.

My names Mike, I live in not so sunny at the moment Ipswich in Suffolk and I've always been into cars, After i read of a issue of Popular Classics back in the early 90's i became more interested in classic cars and last year I managed to buy myself a new 'toy'.

My wife saved up over the course of 4 years some money for me so i could get myself a car for my 30th, She let me have it early so last year i bought this 1975 BMW 1602 Lux.


1975 BMW 1602 Lux by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

This was a great car over the year but it was a bit rusty, It needed new front wings and rear wheel arches really as well as many other bits which i couldn't really afford to repair so with a heavy heart i sold it a few months ago to someone who said they will restore it .

After much searching for something else, including writing off my VW Passat in a M11 pile up whilst going to look at a car that turned out to be a heap i spotted an advert for a 1972 Opel Kadett, In the photos it looked like new and after speaking tot he owner who confirmed it as being as good as it gets i decided to drive to Herts to view it.

This is what i was greeted with.


1972 Opel Kadett 1.2 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

It was stunning!, like a real timewarp, The bodywork was almost spotless, the interior was like new, It's only done 69000 miles with full history and i really couldn't fault it, Mrs Trigger just turned to me and said if you don't buy this then your stupid!.

So i did, and have been enjoying it since, I've done a few local shows so far, I took it do the Norfolk gala a few weeks back and to my amazement i won 3rd prize overall and got to display it in the grand ring and I've had so many good comments.

It was quite rare when new as it had the sporter 1.2 S (1196cc) engine from out of the Rallye model fitted rather then the smaller 1100cc and disc front brakes.

The first owner from South Wales owned it for 20 years and the next for 13 years so it's been well looked after and cared for, I'd love to know how many are left on the road, I haven't seen or heard of any others yet.

Anyway have some photos


1972 Opel Kadett B 1.2 31S by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr


1972 Opel Kadett B 1.2 31S by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr


1972 Opel Kadett 1.2 31S Engine by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr


1972 Opel Kadett 1.2 31S Boot by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr


1972 Opel Kadett 1.2 Interior by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr
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1974 Honda Civic 1st Gen - 1974 Ford Cortina 2000 XL & 1984 Triumph Acclaim.

[Rick]

Can't think when I last saw an Opel like that either! nice find

Rick

PS welcome along
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[bob2]

as Rick said neither I ever think I saw one!!
congratulations on a great find, its immaculate!!

the bmw didnt look bad at all from the photo, a model I really like too!!

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

I agree, a nice looking motor! A neighbour of mine probably just a bit earlier than your car, had one and used to give me a lift to school occasionally. I remember Opels being fairly rare in the UK in those days as GM, I think, favoured Vauxhall sales in Britain then. I suspect that that is why we struggle to remember them and why there are few about??

Paul

[Richard H]

Hello Trigger, good to see you on here
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Richard Hughes

[trigger]

Hi Dicky!

[47p2]

The Opel looks lovely, keep enjoying it
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[xtriple]

What a fabulous car and a truly brilliant find. I worked on one for a neighbour when I lived just outside Scunthorpe in the late 80's (I was but a yoof!) repairing the ravages of the dreaded rust worm.

There was something about the noises it made that made it seem both sporty and of a quality far superior to the Vauxhall products of the time.

Perhaps I'm just strange.....

[poodge]

It's funny that English people regard Opels as perhaps a cut above Vauxhalls.In Holland,where I grew up,it's the other way around.Opels were everyday dross,while the odd Vauxhall was seen as something special,presumably because the supply situation was the other way around.Vauxhalls were accordingly higher priced.

[smiffy220]

Hi, nice car. I'm an Opel fan too, currently have my 4th Opel Manta. This ones a 1980 SR Berlinetta model, which were my favourites. I like most things Opel, incl Ascona's, Kadetts, Senators & Monza's. I always found the Opel models a nicer design than the Vauxhall Equivalent, but interesting to hear the other comments from Poodge above.
Dave
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Born to rally, forced to work!

1980 Opel Manta 2.0 SR Berlinetta
1934 Morris Cowley Four (my late fathers)

[Car-Nut]

Great find and a lovely colour
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Car-Nut
'62 S1 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC
'70 420G - 13th from last RHD
'70 420G - 17th from last RHD

[alec.elliot]

Good looking car you have there.

We used to have one when we were up in Scotland. It was beige with a maroon stripe on the side. My wife hated it because of the colour but it was the most reliable old car we had ever had. It just never broke down on us.

All the best

Alec

[JC T ONE]

Hi & welcome inhere

Nice cars we had quit a few Opel Kadett B,s hee in Denmark, as GM had an assembly plant in Copenhagen.
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[D4B]

Hi Mike,

Welcome here, fantastic car, have not seen one of those for ages.

Steve

[colwyn500]

Why do I like the look of that but think I don't like Vauxhall Vivas?