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Opel Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of The Kapitan, Admiral And Diplomat

Opel is celebrating the 50th anniversary of ‘The Big Three’ vehicles which made up their upper-class range in the 1960s and ‘70s, the Kapitan, Admiral and Diplomat. To commemorate the milestone, Opel has on display all vehicles in the KAD model range at the 26th Techno Classica vintage car show in Essen, Germany.

The KAD model range was first introduced in 1964, and consisted of three different vehicles with identical styling, but differing engine options and trim levels. Most Opel Kapitans featured a 2.6 liter six-cylinder engine, one of which will be on display at Essen. Opel will also bring two other cars from the KAD A range to Techno Classica, the rare 4.6 liter V8 Admiral and the range topping 5.4 liter V8 Diplomat Coupe.

On display will also be the KAD B range, which debuted in 1969. Both a Kapitan and Admiral with a 2.8 liter six-cylinder engine will be on display, along with a Diplomat 2800 E, one of the first German cars with electronic fuel-injection. Rounding off the KAD B showings will be a long-wheelbase V8 Diplomat which was used during the visit of US President Gerald Ford to Germany in 1975 and a rare four-door Diplomat 2.8 E Convertible.

All in all, 10 vehicles from the Opel KAD model range A and B will join Opel’s flagship, the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC, on the floor at Techno Classica in Essen from March 26-30.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. Those three look like modified Chevelles,

    Reply
  2. I used to think my old Matchbox Opel when I was a kid was a 65 Malibu.

    Reply
  3. at least you know from the model name that the handled like boats.

    Reply

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