Rekord
The Opel Rekord, produced from 1953 to 1986, is an iconic family sedan that has left a significant mark on German automotive history. With approximately ten million units sold, it spanned eight generations, each introducing its own innovations and commercial successes. Replacing the Opel Olympia, the Rekord established itself as a model of reliability and versatility, offering versions ranging from sedan to station wagon, coupé, and convertible. Its legacy endures, reflecting its lasting impact on the automotive market.
Variants by year
1982
1977
1972
1967
1966
1965
1963
1960
1958
1957
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
The Opel Rekord, produced from 1953 to 1986, is an iconic family sedan that has left a significant mark on German automotive history. With approximately ten million units sold, it spanned eight generations, each introducing its own innovations and commercial successes. Replacing the Opel Olympia, the Rekord established itself as a model of reliability and versatility, offering versions ranging from sedan to station wagon, coupé, and convertible. Its legacy endures, reflecting its lasting impact on the automotive market.
History
The Opel Rekord was introduced in March 1953 as the successor to the Opel Olympia, a pre-existing model dating back to 1935. The first generation, the Olympia Rekord, was produced until 1957, with approximately 580,000 units manufactured. In 1963, the Opel Rekord A was launched, marking the beginning of a series of eight generations. This generation was followed by the Rekord B (1965), Rekord C (1966), Rekord D (1972), Rekord E1 (1977), and Rekord E2 (1982). Each generation introduced technical and aesthetic improvements, solidifying the Opel Rekord's position in the market. In 1986, the production of the Opel Rekord ended, replaced by the Opel Omega. (en.wikipedia.org)
Generations
The Opel Rekord spanned eight distinct generations, each characterized by notable evolutions. The Rekord A (1963-1965) introduced a design inspired by American models, while the Rekord B (1965-1966) was the first to adopt the cam-in-head (CIH) engine, enhancing performance. The Rekord C (1966-1971) marked a turning point with its more aerodynamic design, followed by the Rekord D (1972-1977), which was the first to offer a diesel version. The Rekord E1 (1977-1982) brought technical and aesthetic improvements, and the Rekord E2 (1982-1986) finalized the model's evolution before its replacement by the Opel Omega. (en.wikipedia.org)
Key differences
The main differences between the Opel Rekord generations lie in the engines, transmissions, and equipment. For instance, the Rekord D (1972-1977) was the first to offer a diesel version, catering to the growing demand for this type of engine. The Rekord E1 (1977-1982) introduced technical and aesthetic improvements, including a more aerodynamic design and more powerful engines. The Rekord E2 (1982-1986) finalized these developments before the model was replaced by the Opel Omega. (en.wikipedia.org)
Photo recognition
To identify an Opel Rekord, look for distinctive features of each generation. Older models, such as the Rekord A (1963-1965), have a design inspired by American cars of the era, while newer models, like the Rekord E2 (1982-1986), display a more aerodynamic and modern design. Badges and specific inscriptions for each generation can also assist in identification. (en.wikipedia.org)
Important versions
Among the notable versions of the Opel Rekord, the Rekord C (1966-1971) stands out for its aerodynamic design and commercial success, with over one million units sold. The Rekord D (1972-1977) is notable for the introduction of the diesel engine, meeting a growing demand. The Rekord E1 (1977-1982) solidified the model's position in the market with significant technical and aesthetic improvements. (en.wikipedia.org)
References
- Opel Rekord - Club OpelClub Opel
- Opel Rekord - AutoevolutionAutoevolution
- Opel Rekord - Classic Cars WikiClassic Cars Wiki
- https://www.autobild.de/marken-modelle/opel/rekord/autobild.de
- https://www.auto-data.net/en/opel-rekord-model-250auto-data.net
- https://www.auto-data.net/pl/opel-rekord-model-250auto-data.net
- https://www.auto-data.net/de/opel-rekord-model-250auto-data.net
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Opel Rekord produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1957 - 1982.
- How many Opel Rekord examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 1 published scan from 1 member, with the latest photo added in July 2026.