German auto manufacturer Opel began selling cars in the U.S. through Buick dealers in 1957. That practice would continue until 1975, when Buick had sufficient traction with its own compact, the Apollo/Skylark. Rare today is the Opel Olympia Rekord P1 (or simply Rekord), including this 1958 edition, which we’re told has been sitting for 50 years. Considered a “large family car” by European standards, this iteration of the automobile was sold through 1960. This example may only have 39,000 miles but comes with ample patina. Located in Steeleville, Illinois, this vehicle’s owner is fielding offers as no specific price is listed here on Facebook Marketplace (except for a crazy large placeholder).
You’ll recall that General Motors had a stake in Opel back then, which explains the later Buick connection. Various inline-4s were offered ranging from 1,205 to 1,680 cc, all with a 3-speed manual transmission. Speculation is that the chief designer of the Rekord P1 was influenced by the U.S.-made Chevrolet Bel Air from 1955-56. At first glance, I saw and wondered about that similarity as well. On its home turf, the car was quite popular and was usually only outsold by the VW Beetle.
We assume the seller’s ’58 Opel sedan was purchased at a Buick dealer back in the day. Which would mean it was a fairly rare sight even in that era and more so today. The seller refers to it as a barn find and says he has photos but uses ones outside and up on jack stands. The mileage appears to be very low, and the machine sits on its original tires. So, you have to wonder why it was parked decades ago.
Under the ample patina is blue paint flanked by a blue and white interior. The front seats are wearing plastic covers which may have been added in 1958 – and haven’t yellowed. Rust has been held at bay for its 50-year hibernation, which is good because finding new sheet metal would probably require importing pieces from Europe. We assume the engine won’t respond without some work and fresh fuel. What would you pay for a project like this, which will surely be the only one in your circle of car people? Tipster “Zappenduster” scores again!
Sure looks like a 39xxx mile car, I’m glad there is a picture of the speedometer as proof. Without the proof it would be hard to justify the asking price.
Steve R
25 years ago we were in Cuba, staying at a resort 20 miles to the east of Havana. The resort had a daily shuttle into Havana. The return was at 5pm so we took a taxi back to the hotel. We were walking towards the taxi stand when I heard a “Psst, senor!”
It was an unlicensed taxi. It was a station wagon that looked like a little Nomad. I asked the driver what kind of car it was and he said it was an Opel.
There’s a possibility this car’s camshaft sprocket had gone bad and it led to the long hibernation.
Years ago I worked with a German fellow who related a story about an Opel Rekord he had owned in the distant past. He was a Volkswagen dealership service technician when someone had traded the Opel in on a VW. The Opel had quit running due to the camshaft sprocket having shucked its teeth. To remove the timing cover the engine would have to be removed from the car, but he wasn’t going that route. He took the “heat wrench” to the crossmember, removed the timing cover, installed a new timing chain and sprockets, rewelded the crossmember, then drove the car for several years.
Idk what I’d offer. I suppose I’d want to buy for as little money that I could. My plan: G Get the engine running and the car moving under its own power, drive it and work on the cosmetics little by little.
Ok, As it sits—non-running with uniform surface rust but low mileage—$1,500 to $3,500. If I had $1,500, I’d go to Steeleville, IL and pick it up.
What kind of money is this worth.
Not much and likely less than the seller will want. Anyone that can’t name their price in an ad isn’t serious. This is like the seller at a garage sale or swapmeet who respond to a potential buyer asking what they want for an item and responding, “what will you give me”. They are always quick to turn down an offer they don’t like, but reluctant to tell you what they will accept. They are basically on a fishing expedition.
Steve R
Exactly this. They don’t want to tell you what they want because they want the ability to say, “I’d rather have it sit there and rot rather than sell it for that price.” That this makes no sense in the world is other-wordly to a seller like that.
The no-price ad is a hope that somebody will make an insane, uninformed offer.
I don’t know what “rust-free” means to people any more, because this car has bumper to bumper surface rust, rust on all suspension components. To get it in paint would easily be $10,000.00 or more, unless someone is willing to do it in their garage over a period of a few weeks, at least to address the rust crystals on the body.
It’s worth a whiz-bang maybe for Smiles and Giggles, but that’s about it.
Ok, As it sits—non-running with uniform surface rust but low mileage—$1,500 to $3,500. If I had $1,500, I’d go to Steeleville, IL and pick it up.
Do you actually believe the mileage claim? Under the sellers best case scenario it spent 18 years on the road prior to being parked.
Steve R
Well, 39,000 miles ÷18 years = 2,166 miles (on average) per year. That’s not many miles, for most of us but… Right now I live a mile from where I work. Groceries are less than a half mile away. I don’t drive much right now so, 3,000/ year is a lot of miles. Plus I bet that Steeleville, IL is a small town.
I own and drive a Opel Rekord Caravan (which means “station wagon”) 2-door from 1968 as my daily.
Probably the same engine as the featured car.
Very reliable, never let me down.
Everyone who knows me would tell you that I would probably make this my daily driver, no matter how many funny looks I got along the way.
I drive a ’51 Plymouth that looks pretty similar to this with the patina, and I get lots of thumbs-up, turned heads, and some conversation because of it. Anymore, I don’t think the car’s cosmetic appearance that matters, it’s just seeing an unusual veteran car up and running amid all the modern traffic.
Good on you, mate
This car reminds me of a 1952 Dodge Barn Find that Derek Berei, of Vice Grip Garage resurrected some 7 years ago, now.
First glance, my brain goes to Buick/olds look mid 50’s. Nice patina, very nice interior.
Could be a nice project if right price.
It looks like it’s all there. Get it running and make it as presentable as you can on a budget. There’s no money at all in a serious restoration.
Best bet here is some Euro-guy who grew up around one and has a connection to some essential parts back home.
Parts are easy to get here in Europe, many Opel lovers and clubs around.
You can buy lots of parts on ebay.
By the look of the interior the mileage claim could actualy be true.
Prices like that are annoying. The seller appears to be too lazy to list a price.
Agree! A guy had a Cybertruck listed for $400. Turned out that was the rental price, per day I guess.
I daresay that’s a good sale price for a Cyber Truck, though I probably wouldn’t buy one even for that price. I MIGHT consider one free that came with $5,000 cash on the side.
My Dad had 2 Rekords back in the day…He was a Opel tech!!
Finally bought a 68 Kadett LS…
I would just get it running and give it a good tuneup.
Leave the exterieur and the interieur exactly as it is – looks awesome in my eyes.
The interior is the most pleasant surprise! Probably the most complete I’ve seen–plastic seat covers definitely helped preserve that fabric! And you have some of the original blue paint in the door jambs to help match color if you take it that far. Me? I’d do what I could to mechanically restore it, and drive it a bit during show season. These are scarce as anything today, and you will definitely be asked tons of questions at shows. I always liked these when I was a kid!
The Opel Rekord was new for 1958, with the upscale accessorized version including the previous generations Olympia nomenclature, for a couple of years. This is in remarkably straight shape. I remember a neighbor having one as his commuter car in the early 1960’s. Aside from the surface rust, this one looks in better shape than his did at the time! This could be a great entry into collector cars and minimal restoration that will fit in a modern garage. Brakes are tiny, I’d look into an upgrade for driving in traffic to car shows and ice cream. In Germany, the seller could get a pretty price; but here in this condition, $1,000-2,000 if the engine turns. Here is a brochure for the relatively unchanged Rekord for 1960, to give a better view with color: https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1960-Opel-Rekord-Caravan.pdf
PS – looking at the Nomad-like 2 door wagon [Estate], I think this one would be more showy at a car show!
Thats a great link for the Opel Brochure from 1960. I always like looking at them. Thank you Sunshine for posting that.
I have only ever seen one of these in Finland…
Honey, who shrunk my ’55 Ford?
Looks much more GM to me, than Ford. Mainly because GM owned Opel.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw this. I spent many a mile in the backseat of one of these. Just looking at the photos brings back the smells generated in the central San Joaquin valley on hot summer days. If I were closer I’d gladly overpay for this drive down memory lane!
I had both a 58 and a 59. I would swear they both had 4 speeds. However these were European models as i was living in Germany. Great cars. GM didn’t know what it had.
Even the valve cover looks like one from a 235 Chevy 6 cylinder. Good solid car here for someone to play with.
No bids, yet?
Very Cool
😎
No Chevy reference here.
This is a shrunk version of the 1957 Buicks.
Look at the sweepspear !
The earlier version of the Vauxhall Cresta PA Series had a three section rear window that was definitely influenced by the 1957 Buick.
Like Schultz I know nothing. But I do remember these cars, an Uncle owned one in wagon form. I remember hearing something about the engines being indestructible. My uncles wagon had the front bearing on the transmission making a lot of noise. He thought it was the throw out bearing. But my shop teacher explained to me that the throw out bearing would only make noise if the clutch was engaged. If it made noise when not using the clutch it would be the transmission. I explained that to my Uncle who said he had a spare transmission which I then installed for him. Problem solved. I’m might be the only person in the entire world who likes this car, but I do like it.
God Bless America
My very first car was the wagon version known as the Olympia. I purchased it from a friend of my dad’s in 1965 for $125. I loved that car and tried nurmous things to make it faster. Never could come close to keeping up with my friend’s ’68 Opel Rallye. I’ve owned Opels off and on since then.
Wrong, it was known as the Caravan. My bad.