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Description
The cabriolet currently offered is located on Gotland. Besides this car, only two other examples are registered in the Swedish vehicle register—one in Dalsland and the other in Skåne. According to Car.info, a total of 15 first-generation Opel Kapitäns (1938–1940) are registered in Sweden, including these three cabriolets.
The earliest record of this particular cabriolet dates from 1971, when it was re-registered in the Swedish vehicle register. It is therefore unclear whether the car was originally sold new on Gotland or on the Swedish mainland. More information could likely be obtained through the Swedish National Archives.
According to the Swedish Transport Agency, the car has had ten registered owners, the last three of whom belong to the same family. The current owner inherited the car from his father, a well-known entrepreneur and car enthusiast who owned several collector vehicles. The car has been part of the family’s collection since 1989 and has been used occasionally for graduation celebrations and at classic car gatherings. Since 2015 it has mostly been standing unused in a garage. The heirs have now decided to sell the car and hope it will go to someone who has more time to devote to it.
Included with the car are a spare wheel (mounted on the inside of the trunk lid), a wheel wrench, and a warning triangle. The original jack and owner’s manual are missing. There is only one ignition key and one key for the door locks.
In Sweden, this car falls under the veteran vehicle regulations for cars manufactured before 1950. This means the car is exempt from mandatory vehicle inspections and from road tax.
This is a distance auction. The photos and information about the car and its technical condition have been provided by the owner. BWA has therefore not inspected the vehicle on site.
Free history (8)
Technical data
Condition
-
Mechanical condition
Equipped with a 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder overhead-valve engine producing 54 hp, paired with a 3-speed manual gearbox.
In 2025, a new 6-volt starter battery was installed. The car had been standing unused for a long period, but it has now been brought out and started. It starts and is drivable, but beyond that we do not know the exact mechanical condition. (See the video.)
The windshield wipers, heater unit, and cabin fan have not been tested. The effectiveness of the brakes is also unknown. -
Interior condition
The interior is in worn, used condition. We are unsure whether the seat upholstery is original, but it is quite possible that it is. It appears that the leather may once have been dyed white, with the color having worn off over time through use and age. The carpeting is worn.
The convertible top appears to be in relatively good condition and was likely replaced at some point, perhaps in the 1980s. When the floor mats are lifted, some surface rust can be seen on the floor, though we have not discovered any rust holes. See the photos. -
Exterior condition
The car has an older repaint with some imperfections, such as paint cracking on the hood, the left door, and the left front fender. We cannot say for certain, but we believe the paintwork was done in the 1970s.
There are also rust bubbles in the lower section of the trunk lid. The chrome trim and bumpers are in used condition with some oxidation. The rear bumper has a dent on the right corner.
The car is fitted with dry-cracked bias-ply tires from the 1960s. They hold air and can be used for moving the car around, but they must be replaced with new tires before the car is put into regular use. -
General condition
In summary, the car is in usable, driver-condition. However, it will require servicing and a general inspection of the technical components—such as the electrical system, brakes, tires, etc.—before it is taken out on the road.
MOT (tech. insp.)
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1971-06-23 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1973-05-04
Senast godkända besiktning: -
Besiktigad tom: -
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 10
Facts about the model
Throughout the 1930s, Opel enjoyed great success. In 1936, the American car designer Franklin Hershey was sent to Germany by GM’s management to assist Opel designer Karl Mersheimer in developing the new Kapitän model. The Opel Kapitän was premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in 1939. The car was available in both closed and open body styles.
The model was technically advanced for its time, featuring a unitary body construction and independent front suspension, which contributed to stable handling even at higher speeds.
A total of 25,371 Opel Kapitäns were produced—of which only 4,500 were cabriolets—before production was halted at the end of 1940. After the war, production resumed in 1948, now only as a four-door sedan. In 1951, a further developed version was introduced with an enlarged luggage compartment and a more powerful engine.
Location and viewing Information
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Mathias Casserlund
mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se
Pick up
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
Auction information
Distance sales
- This car has not been photographed or tested by Bilweb Auctions. The information above is based on the seller's information.
General information about the condition of the vehicles .
- At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
- During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
- Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
- When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
- If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
- If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
- Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
- For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.