Three charming 1950s Opels are eye-catchers in the first Bilweb Auction listing in June - and one of them was built in Sweden!
It is a 1955 Opel Olympia Rekord that is of Swedish heritage - built in General Motors CKD factory in the Hammarby Harbour in Stockholm. CKD stands for Completely Knocked Down and sending kits for local assembly was a way many car manufacturers used to lower import duties. It was mainly Chevrolets that was assembled by the Swedish workers, but also Opels and Vauxhalls.
The American influence on the design is easily recognized on this ´55 Olympia Rekord, just a bit downscaled. The model arrived in the market in 1953 and was an important factor for the success Opel achieved in Sweden, becoming the best selling brand in 1957, beating Volvo.
The Olympia Rekord in the auction was restored 10 years ago by a skilled Opel enthusiast. It was given a respray in the original color and new chrome, while the interior was left untouched - a good choice from an originality point of view. A very tidy engine compartment adds extra value.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated the value to between 100 000 and 120 000 SEK
To the auction
From the same Swedish Opel collection comes a rare Olympia delivery van- or Lieferwagen as it was called in its home country. The appeal of this surviving and carefully restored 1951 Opel is sky high.
The owner grew up in a small village in southern Norway. He worked extra in the local shop, helping the owner deliver goods in an Opel like this. When he found a delivery van in Sweden, he decided to make it a copy of the car in his home village - including the graphics on the sides.
The result was a meticulously restored classic Opel and a piece of car history preserved.
The value is estimated by Bilweb Auctions to between 180 000 and 210 000 SEK
To the auction
The third car from the collection is a 1958 Rekord, a 2-door P1 sedan. This model was made during only three years, between 1957 and 1960, but was at this time the second best selling car in West Germany after Volkswagen Type 1, the Beetle.
It was found in a junk yard in 1976 by its current owner, in surprisingly good condition but with a blown engine. The restoration was ready in the mid-1980s and since then it has been driven only 3000 kilometers. It is very well presented and only the unrestored interior shows a slight wear.
This Opel Rekord has an estimated value of between 140 000 and 160 000 SEK.
To the auction
The auction on all these three classic Opels closes on 8 June.
