This is a small family car of the C-class of the German automaker Opel. It was produced in the periods 1937-1940 and 1962-1991, after which it was replaced by . The engine is located transversely in front, the drive in the first models was on the rear wheels, and modern modifications have drive only on the front wheels. Modern Cadet competes with Peugeot 205, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sunny, Ford Escort (North America).

The first Kadett was introduced to the public in December 1936 by Opel's commercial technical director, Heinrich Nordhoff, who would become known in later decades for his leading role in founding the Volkswagen company. This model was created on the basis of the Opel Olympia, which was with a monocoque body. The Cadet was positioned as a "people's" car and sold for 2100 Reichsmarks, in contrast to the Olympia, which cost over 2500 Reichsmarks.

In 1940, the production of Kadet and Olympia was stopped in order to produce Opel Blitz trucks for military needs. After World War II, equipment from the Opel Rüsselsheim car factory was requested by the Soviet Union in a war reparations package to compensate for the loss of production lines for the KIM-10-52 car during the siege of Moscow. Based on this equipment, the Small Car Plant in Moscow produced Moskvich-400 cars, which were a complete analogue of the 4-door Cadet.

Opel Cadet A (1962-1965)

The Kadett was reintroduced in 1962 and deliveries began on October 2, just over 22 years after the first model was closed. Production was started at a new plant in Bochum, built for the 100th anniversary of Opel. The body was originally a 2-door sedan, but later a 3-door station wagon (Car-A-Van) appeared and then a coupe body appeared. The Cadet featured a more modern design than the Volkswagen Beetle, which dominated the market for small family cars but had poor body corrosion protection. In total, 650 thousand cars were built of the first generation, of which 126 thousand were station wagons.

The engine was installed with a 1.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline, which was developed specifically for this car. The power was 40 hp, and in October 1963 they released a high-speed 1.0 S-Motor with 48 hp. In 1965, the volume was increased to 1.1 liters. Gearbox mechanical 4-speed. The drive was carried out on the rear wheels through a single clutch with a dry plate. All four wheels had 200 mm brake drums.

Opel Cadet B (1965-1973)

At the Frankfurt Motor Show at the end of the summer of 1965, the second generation of the Cadet was introduced. This is a deep modernization of the first generation with the preservation of the main technical solutions, but with a modernized body. The car has become wider and longer, the interior space for passengers has increased, and the height has decreased by 10 mm. The assembly was in Germany (Bochum) and Malaysia (Johor-Bahru).

The body range has been expanded to include 2 and 4 door sedan, 3 and 5 door station wagon and 2 door coupe. For the first time they began to offer disc brakes on the front wheels, except for the cheapest models. Since February 1967, the single-circuit hydraulic circuit has been replaced by a dual-circuit brake system. The front suspension has been improved, as a result of which the car has become better "hold" the road.

Engine designs remained the same petrol 4-cylinder OHV with water cooling, but with increased volumes from 1.1 to 1.9 liters with power from 45 to 106 hp. Initially, all cars were equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, and since 1968 it has become possible to choose a 3-speed automatic "Turbo-Hydramatic 180".

Opel Cadet C (1973-1979)

In August 1973, the third generation of the Cadet was released with the letter index "C". The car was assembled in Germany and Belgium based on the international "GM T platform" and was the last small rear wheel drive Opel. The design is less lumpy and more streamlined and sportier. External dimensions remained almost the same. About 1.7 million cars were produced.

Body styles were as follows - 2-door and 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback ("Kadett City", to compete in price with the Ford Fiesta), 3-door station wagon ("Caravan") and 2-door coupe and 2-door convertible. At first, the brakes were drum brakes on all wheels, and since 1975, front disc brakes were put on all cars. Vacuum brake booster was installed on all cars.

The engines were only gasoline 4-cylinders with a volume of 1.0, 1.2, 1.9 and 2.0 liters with a capacity of 39 to 108 hp. There are three transmission options - 4 and 5-speed mechanics or 3-speed automatic. In 1977 and 1978 there was a slight restyling of the interior trim and appearance. The headlights have become rectangular and larger, and the direction indicators have been moved from under the bumper to the top next to the headlights.

Opel Cadet D (1979-1984)

The fourth generation was introduced in August 1979 and official deliveries began in September. This is the first Opel car with front-wheel drive, the engine is located transversely in front. Because of this, its length was slightly reduced, but the interior volume was increased. Assembly prices were located in Germany, Belgium and the UK. In just 5 years, about 2 million cars were produced. In his class, Cadet became one of the leaders.

Body styles were as follows - 3- and 5-door hatchback, 2- and 4-door fastback (more sloping rear compared to the hatchback) and 3 and 5-door station wagon ("Caravan") . Front-wheel drive has reduced fuel consumption and improved directional stability.

The new GM Family II gasoline engines are all 4-cylinder with a single overhead camshaft with a volume of 1.0 to 1.8 liters and a power of 45 to 104 hp. For the first time, a 1.6-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 55 hp was offered on this model. There are three transmission options to choose from - 4 and 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic.

Opel Cadet E (1984-1991)

The last generation was presented to the public in August 1984. Production was established in Germany, Belgium, Portugal and the UK. The car became very popular and about 3.8 million copies were produced over a seven-year period. In 1985, Cadet won the European Car of the Year award. Body styles were as follows - 3 and 5 door hatchback, 4 door sedan, 3 and 5 door station wagon ("Caravan") and 2 door convertible.

The line of gasoline 4-cylinder engines includes seven modifications with a volume from 1.2 to 2.0 liters and power from 59 to 116 hp. There are three diesel engines - 1.6 liters (4EC1, turbocharged, 70 hp), 1.7 liters (4EE1, turbocharged, 86 hp) and 1.7 liters (GM Family II, 58 hp). ). There are three transmissions to choose from - 4 or 5-speed mechanics and a 3-speed automatic.

In 1991 Kadett was renamed to

The first Opel with the Kadett nameplate was presented to the public in December 1936. The car, equipped with a 1.1-liter engine with a capacity of 23 liters. s., produced until 1940. After the end of World War II, part of the equipment on which the Cadet was produced was taken to the Soviet Union, and was created on the basis of the German model.

2nd generation (A), 1962–1965

The Opel Kadett reappeared in the company's lineup in 1962. The car, which was supposed to compete with "", was produced at a new plant in Bochum, Germany until 1965, in total 649 thousand cars were made. Opel Kadett A was offered with sedan, coupe and station wagon bodies, and one-liter engines with a capacity of 40 or 48 liters were placed under its hood. With.

3rd generation (B), 1965–1973

Debuted in 1965, the Opel Kadett B became one of the most popular cars of the brand: more than 2.69 million cars were produced until 1973. This model boasted a large number of versions: two- and four-door sedan, three- and five-door station wagon, coupe and fastback coupe. Kadett B was sold not only in Europe, but also in the US market.

The base engine was a 1.1-liter (45 hp), and the most powerful was a 1.9-liter (106 hp) engine in the Opel Kadett Rallye modification. An automatic transmission was offered for a surcharge.

4th generation (C), 1973–1979

The 1973 Opel Kadett C became a global model: in Japan, this model was known as Buick-Opel, in Australia - Holden Gemini, in Korea - Daewoo Maepsy and Saehan Gemini, in Brazil - Chevrolet Chevette. "Cadet" was produced with sedan, station wagon, hatchback, coupe and convertible bodies, and in the range of power units there were carburetor engines 1.0, 1.2, and 1.6 (40–75 hp), as well as injection engines with a volume of 1.9 and 2 .0 liters (105–115 forces). In 1977, Opel Kadett received an updated appearance.

5th generation (D), 1979–1984

In 1979, the production of the new generation Cadet started. It was a completely new car, the main difference from its predecessors was front-wheel drive. Hatchbacks and station wagons were equipped with gasoline carburetor "fours" with a volume of 1.2, 1.3 and 1.6 liters with a capacity of 53–90 hp. with., as well as a 1.8-liter engine with fuel injection with a capacity of 115 liters. With. In addition, they began to install a 1.6 diesel engine on the Opel Kadett D, which develops 55 forces.

6th generation (E), 1984–1991

Production of the Opel Kadett began in pre-war years in Germany. The car has undergone more than seven restylings. Nowadays, there is a good demand for the brand, because a decent ratio of cost and quality allows buyers of both high and middle incomes to purchase Opel cars.

First generation: 1937–1940

The release of the first car brand Opel Kadett took place in December 1936. It was a simpler version of the Olympia, which was considered a progressive model compared to its contemporaries. The main difference between the Kadett is that the car had a lower-powered earlier generation engine, which belonged to the P4 models. It was positioned as a car for the family: simple and affordable, unlike the Olympia, which was a sports, youth car.

At first, all models were exclusively rear-wheel drive. Later, front-wheel drive versions were designed. The body was load-bearing, and the suspension was independent. The official name of the car is K-36 (according to the year of manufacture), K-38. The first generation of these machines was produced for 3 years, and the last copies left the assembly lines of German car factories in 1940. It was the first generation machine that was actively used during World War II until 1962.

In terms of general technical characteristics, the Opel Kadett had a wide variety of bodies: a sedan (according to the German version, it was considered a limousine, regardless of the size of the car), which could be three- or five-door; and also produced a convertible with two doors.

Model Features:

• length - 3840 mm, width - 1375 mm, height - 1540 mm;
• engine displacement -1100 cm3;
• maximum speed - 90 km / h;
• power - 23 liters. With.;
• curb weight - 750 kg;
• gasoline engine;
• control is mechanical.

The car was named a junior officer rank, as it really was a cadet - unpretentious, small, affordable and for the whole family. However, in those years, the K-36 and K-38 were the most modern economy class vehicles. The emblem of the Opel brand was different. An airship was depicted on the hood, which became a symbol of the advanced achievements of German engineering. Only in 1947 did the lightning appear on the logo, which is known to this day.

Almost all cars of the pre-war era were frame-based, but Opel made a real breakthrough in mechanical engineering by equipping the Kadett with an all-metal monocoque body. Another innovation is the appearance of an independent front suspension of the Dubonnet type: a set of springs and pneumatic struts are hidden under a single casing. With the help of traditional semi-elliptical springs, the rear axle was held. The brake hydraulics were also built in.

To the image of a technically perfect unit at that time, a special attitude of designers to the safety of the vehicle was added. Along with the usual crash tests, the load-bearing body of the car was tested: it was dropped from a height of seven meters. The result was excellent - despite such a hard landing, the doors opened without difficulty.

In 1938, the K-36 underwent a restyling, retaining almost all technical characteristics, with the exception of a changed appearance. And just this version of the car was made the prototype of the Moskvich-400, since the equipment on which Kadett was produced was taken to the USSR after the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Second generation (A): 1962–1965

After 1940, the production of the car stopped for a while due to the Second World War. However, Germany managed to revive the Opel concern almost in the first post-war decade. In 1962, representatives of the next generation Kadett came out under the factory index "A", which were prepared as competitors to the Volkswagen Beetle, the same small and economical car for the whole family.

Opel celebrated its centenary, and the construction of a car factory was timed to coincide with it. It was planned to produce an improved Opel Cadet here. The second generation car was produced with different bodies:

• two-door sedan (1962);
• station wagon Car-A-Van (1963);
• coupe (1964).

The design side of the car was in many ways similar to the lineup of the Chevrolet brand, namely the Chevy II. However, the rear end was influenced by earlier US cars.

Specifications were as follows:

• classic layout with a load-bearing body;
• rear drive;
• a total of 12 body panels;
• curb weight 670 kg;
• gasoline four-cylinder engine with a volume of one liter;
• motor (optional) 40 or 48 horsepower.

For 3 years of production from the new plant in the German city of Bochum, 649,500 cars were sold.

Third generation (B): 1965–1973

German engineers took into account the imperfections made in the production of previous models, so in 1965 a new Opel Kadett appeared under the factory index "B". It made such a strong impression on consumers that it became a bestseller. Over the years of production, more than 2,690,000 copies have been sold.

He had even more body versions, but the most in demand were:

• three- and five-door sedan;
• three- and five-door station wagon;
• coupe;
• fastback coupe.

In total, the manufacturer offered 11 bodies. The appearance of the car has also changed: it has become wider and longer.

The third generation Kadett produced the following engine types with rear wheel drive and manual transmission:

• 1.1 l. (45 hp, 60 hp) as standard;

• 1.5 (50 and 55);
• 1,2 (60);

• 1,7 (75);
• 1.9 (90) was developed on a modification of the Opel Kadett Rallye.

For a separate surcharge, they offered to put an automatic speed switch.

The car was actively bought not only in Europe, but also in the USA. However, the Americans considered Opel too simple for them, so sales were curtailed ahead of schedule.

Fourth generation (C): 1973–1979

Since 1973, they began to produce the Opel Kadett generation under the "C" index. The car continued to be rear-wheel drive, but received an upgrade:

• spring front suspension on wishbones;
• a two-liter engine with fuel injection;
• five-speed manual transmission;
• three-point seat belt.

This model was created on the global GM platforms - T-Platform, which is why it has many analogues in other brands:

• Japan - Isuzu Gemini;
• USA - Sold as Buick-Opel, but made in Japan;
• Australia - Holden Gemini;
• Korea - Daewoo Maepsy, Saehan Gemini;
• Brazil - Chevrolet Chevette;
• UK - Vauxhall Chevette.

Kadett produced in the following bodies:

• sedan;
• station wagon;
• hatchback;
• coupe;
• cabriolet.

Engine types

Carburetor

• 1.0 liters (40 hp) on the mechanics, rear-wheel drive (hereinafter - c.p.);
• 1.2 (52, 55, 60) manual or automatic, payroll;
• 1.6 (75) mechanics or automatic, c.p.

Injection

• 1.9 (105) mechanics or automatic;
• 2.0 (115) mechanics or automatic.

In 1977, the appearance of the car was updated. He became more athletic. Until 1979, more than 1,700,000 IV generation models were sold.

Fifth generation (D): 1979–1984

The fifth issue with the index "D" was released in 1979. This car was revolutionary in the history of Opel. The technical characteristics of the Opel Kadett have changed. It was then that front-wheel drive appeared, which made it possible to expand the capacity of the car. Kadett has become shorter by 12 cm than its predecessor models ("B" and "C"), but the interior has increased significantly.

This also happened because the engine was placed across, which significantly reduced the space it occupied. In addition, a semi-independent rear suspension appeared on the car. The result is a completely new model.

All of the same body styles were offered as past generations of the Kadett. The car had four-stroke gasoline carburetor engines of the following volumes:

• 1.2 liters (52, 55, 60 hp);
• 1.3 (60, 75);
• 1.6 (90).

The 1.8-liter (115 hp) engine was supplied with fuel using air injection (injector). In addition, for the first time, a 1.6-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 54 hp was installed. With.

Prices for the Kadett D were reasonable and fuel consumption was very low. Therefore, this car was an impressive success. The level of sales was ahead of classmates, including the Volkswagen Golf. Over the entire period, 2,100,000 vehicles were sold.

Sixth generation (E): 1984–1991

In the latest generation of Opel Kadett produced under the index "E". Already by 1985, the model was awarded the title of "European Car of the Year". It was reliable and inexpensive.

It was produced for almost 7 years, and convertibles were produced for another 2 years:

• 1984, in September - the production of three- and five-door hatchbacks began;
• 1985 - the first sedans of this series with four doors appeared;
• 1985 - the Italian plant "Burton" produced convertibles;
• 1991, in August - the production of the Opel Kadett E CC model (except for convertibles), replaced by the Opel Astra F, was completed;
• 1993, in February - convertibles were discontinued.

Generation "E" had other body modifications:

• three- and five-door station wagons (known as Kadett Caravan)
• three- and five-door hatchback;
• two-door convertible;
• mini-van ("heel").

Petrol engines, front-wheel drive:

• Opel Kadett 1.3 (60), on the mechanics, with a flow rate of 8.6 / 5.5 liters. (hereinafter, data per 100 km);
• on the machine with a flow rate of 9.1 / 5.9 l;
• 1.3 (75), on mechanics;
• 1.2 liters (55 hp), on the mechanics;
• 1.6 (75), on the mechanics (7.4 / 4.4l), on the machine (9.2 / 6.4 l);
• 1.6 (82, 90) automatic/mechanical;
• 1.8 (84), on the mechanics (9.1 / 5.3 l), on the machine (10.1 / 6.3 l);
• 1.8 on the mechanics, 112, - 9.7 / 5.7 liters., 115, - 9.9 / 5.6 liters;
• 1.8 (115), automatic;
• 2.0(115), mechanics/automatic;
• 2.0 (116), on the mechanics (10.2 / 6.2l), on the machine.

Diesels (atmospheric and turbocharged) on mechanics with front-wheel drive:

• 1.5 (72), consumption 7/4 l per 100 km;
• 1,6 (54).

The "E" version has good aerodynamics: Cx = 0.30. The machine is streamlined, without sharp corners, so it is fast and maneuverable. The popularity increased so much that this particular version was the hit of the Kadett series. More than 3,800,000 vehicles have been sold.

The further fate of the model

GM, starting in 1992, unifies the model designation in Europe, and the Kadett F becomes the Opel Astra, which is borrowed from the British twin Vauxhall Astra. Another version of the reason for the renaming was that the company changed the policy of naming its products: all models became “feminine”, i.e. end with "a": Omega, Vectra, Calibra, etc.

However, back in 1987, Daewoo from Korea bought a license from Opel to produce the Kadett E, renaming it the Daewoo Racer. She lasted on conveyors until 1995. Then the same base gave rise to a new model - Daewoo Nexia.

The history of the release of Opel Kadett ended in 1993. He has repeatedly become the leader in sales in the automotive market in Europe. Because it was inexpensive and high quality. And one of the reasons for this is a well-organized production process. Initially, the German brand built enterprises in different countries since the middle of the last century, which made it possible to save on the delivery of cars to the nearest dealers, quickly supply original spare parts and components, engage in technical support and more. In our time, the successor to the "Cadet", Opel Astra, also occupies a worthy position in the opinion of buyers.

In the photo above, not the usual Moskvich 400, but its twin brother Opel Kadett K38.
This car appeared in 1936 and was a simpler version of the Opel Olimpia. For its time, the Opel Kadett K36 was a very progressive car. The second car from Opel with a monocoque body and front independent suspension. The first was the Olimpia. and a low-power engine from the P4 model. Kadett was positioned as a family car - simple and affordable, and Olimpia as a sporty and youth car. Kadett had a wider range of bodies. It included a sedan (which the Germans traditionally call a limousine, regardless of the size of the car) two and four-door version, two-door convertible.
In 1938, the Opel Kadett was restyled. This version of the car later became the Moskvich 400.
How did Kadett become a Muscovite? I will state my version. It is based on the memoirs of Lev Shugurov and publications in the newspaper Autoreview.
We must start from 1940. This year, the KIM plant was in full swing preparing for production its first independent development of the KIM 10 50. The first three prototypes participated in the May demonstration of the plant workers. models of a Soviet light car. The newspaper lay on Stalin's table. The leader was surprised to learn that the USSR began to produce a new car without his knowledge. Such self-will could not be tolerated. An urgent review of the new car and its Western counterparts was scheduled on Red Square.
The results of the show could be predicted easily. Stalin did not like the KIM 10 50. The outdated design was criticized, the headlights of the car were on the wings of the body separately, it was necessary to put it together. The leader especially did not like the two-door body. Kadett. He liked Stalin. Maybe because he was the only four-door car at the show. Although the four-door version of Kadett is rarer. Much more two-door cars were produced, about 60 to 40 percent. The leader praised Opel and said that this is how cars should be made for the Soviet people.
Organizational conclusions followed. In August 1940, a decree of the Council of People's Commissars and the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks was issued sharply criticizing the activities of the leadership of the automotive industry and the management of the KIM plant. Further, Likhachev, the Minister of the Automotive Industry, was removed from his post and sent back to the ZIS director. many at the plant were preparing to land, but then the war began. It was necessary to master the production of light tanks. Kuznetsov was released in 1942.
Well, with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, quite a few Opel Kadetts, which Stalin liked so much, drove into the USSR. How could these cars master the Russian expanses. From the beginning in one direction, then in the other.
With the end of the war, before the MZMA, as they began to call KIM, they set the task of urgently starting the production of a Soviet small car. The factory remembered the history of the KIM 10 50 well. There was no question of how the new car should look. A group of plant specialists went to Germany to the Opel plant.
The plant looked like this.
There was no equipment for production in a whole state at the plant. Everything was destroyed by Allied bombers.
They began to collect specialists from the Opel plant. Many ended up in the Soviet zone of occupation. It was decided with the help of German specialists to restore all the equipment for the production of Opel Kadett. This surprised the Germans somewhat. After all, the Kadett was already considered an obsolete model at that time. systems.
Soviet specialists somewhat shocked the Germans with their appearance. Soviet engineers wore sweatshirts, riding breeches and prokhorekh. We had to slightly spoil our specialists so that unnecessary questions would not arise.
Nevertheless, joint work went easily. At first, the work went on in Germany. Then the Germans and all the developments were taken to the MZMA plant. The Germans went in compartment cars, there were not enough compartments for our specialists.
In the preliminary design stages, the Germans were constantly trying to make changes to the appearance of the car.
It was proposed to release an extended version.
Or a wagon version.
And they even offered to radically change the front of the car. But the designers of the MZMA steadfastly repulsed all these attempts. They still had to hand over the car to Stalin.
At the beginning of 1946, the new car was shown to Stalin. The leader had a very good memory, so when he saw a copy of Kadett in front of him, he was satisfied. Although the car looked anachronistic against the backdrop of the Gorky Victory.
The Muscovite also got the old lower-valve engine from Kadett. Although it was more promising to copy the engine from Olimpia.
True, not only in the Soviet Union they copied the Kadett. The Renault Juvaquatre was also a copy of this car and was produced for about the same years as the Moskvich. True, the French got the whole equipment for the production of the car. Those factories that fell into the western sector of occupation were bombed by the Allies less.
How to distinguish Opel Kadett K38 from Moskvich 400?
If Wehrmacht soldiers are standing near the car, then this is an Opel. It's a joke.
Opel Kadett K38 is most often two-door, often without side molding. It probably came as an option.
The very first Opel Kadett K36 produced in 1936.