De Opel Kadett C. It was introduced in 1973 as the successor to the Kadett B and remained in production until 1979. With this third generation of the post-war Kadett series, Opel created a model that perfectly matched the demands of the time: compact, solid, and reliable, yet with enough variety to appeal to a broad audience. It was the last Kadett to be delivered with rear-wheel drive, something that enthusiasts still look back on with nostalgia today.
Opel Kadett C.
History and background
The Opel Ascona A was intended to be the successor to the Kadett B, but since competitor Ford launched the Escort, Opel decided to position the more spacious Ascona between the Kadett and the Rekord as a competitor to the Ford Taunus, and to keep the still-popular Kadett B in the lineup.
In addition, General Motors wanted to launch a base car that could be produced worldwide. This would result in the Kadett C in 1973, which was also produced under the names Vauxhall Chevette, Isuzu Gemini, and Chevrolet Chevette. In August 1973, the new Kadett C was exhibited at the 45th IAA in Frankfurt.
The Kadett C was not only built in Germany but appeared worldwide under various brand names. For instance, it was sold in Great Britain as the Vauxhall Chevette, in Brazil as the Chevrolet Chevette, and in Australia as the Holden Gemini. That clearly shows how flexible the model was. In Europe, the Kadett C grew into one of the most popular compact mid-size cars of the 1970s, with millions of units sold and a loyal fan base.
Design and interior
In terms of design, Opel took a sleeker direction. The Kadett C was given a straightforward, no-nonsense appearance with a low nose, straight sides, and a recognizable, wide grille. The design was clearly in line with the seventies: angular, practical, and without unnecessary frills. Yet Opel managed to infuse it with a certain elegance, especially in the coupé version, which looked somewhat sportier.
The interior was just as businesslike as the exterior. Functionality came first, and you certainly shouldn't expect luxury in the standard versions. The simple yet solid seats offered sufficient support, the dashboard was clear and logically laid out, and the materials were built to last. Of course, there were more luxurious versions with, for example, more instruments and more comfortable upholstery, but generally speaking, you got exactly what you needed – and nothing more.
Model variants
- Kadett C Sedan 2-door (1973–1979) — entry-level model, 1.0 or 1.2-liter
- Kadett C Sedan 4-door (1973–1979) — four-door variant
- Kadett C Caravan (1973–1979) — three-door estate
- Kadett C Coupé (1973–1979) — two-door coupe, sportier lines
- Kadett C City (1975–1979) — three-door hatchback, based on the Vauxhall Chevette hatchback body — the first Opel Kadett hatchback ever
- Kadett C Berlina (1977–1979) — luxury version with 1.6S engine, chrome side strip, rectangular headlights, improved interior
- Kadett C GT/E (1975–1979) — sports model with 1.897 cc Bosch L-Jetronic injection, 105 hp, iconic yellow-black color scheme, 8.660 units built (1975–1977) and later revised version
- Kadett C Rallye (1977–1979) — 1.6S with 75 hp or 2.0E with 110 hp, 8.549 units built
- Kadett C Aero (1977–1979) — open convertible version, rare
- Opel Kadett C Coupé Berlinetta — more luxurious coupé version
The Kadett C came in an impressive number of variants. There were the traditional four-door sedans, but also a three-door and five-door hatchback (which Opel itself called a “Limousine”), a practical station wagon (Caravan), a sporty coupé, and even a convertible built by coachbuilder Baur. For the business driver or the small business owner, there was also a van variant.
More powerful engines were also available in the Opel Kadett C: the 1600 and 1900 CIH powerplants from the Ascona/Rekord series. For the GT/E, a 1,9E (from 1977 2.0E) fuel-injected engine was installed, giving the lightweight Kadett C a top speed of around 200 km/h. The GT/E coupé version achieved its success as a rally car. The Kadett C is also sometimes called the last true Opel Kadett, as it was the last version with rear-wheel drive. The Opel Kadett C was delivered in two different versions, namely the C1 and C2 models. The latter was built from 1977. In May 1975, the Opel Kadett City was also launched, which was a compact and agile little city car.
Top Model
The top model was undoubtedly the Kadett C GT/E, introduced in 1975. This sporty coupé was equipped with a 2.0-liter fuel-injected engine producing 105 hp and 153 Nm of torque. With this, it achieved a top speed of 184 km/h and completed the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in approximately 10,2 seconds. For the 1970s, this was more than respectable, and furthermore, the GT/E made an impression in rally racing, where it was successfully deployed.
Various variants of the Opel Kadett C
Competitors
The Kadett C had to compete against formidable rivals such as:
- volkswagen golf i
- Ford Escort Mk2
- Renault 12
- Peugeot 304
The Escort and the Golf, in particular, were formidable rivals, but the Kadett managed to distinguish itself through its rear-wheel drive and wide range of variants.
Successor model
In 1979, the Kadett C was replaced by the Cadet D, which, as mentioned, switched to front-wheel drive for the first time. With this, Opel embarked on an entirely new path and began a new chapter in the history of the Kadett.
