Opel Rekord A

Production period:	03/1963 to 07/1965
Class :	Motor Car
Body versions :	Saloon , Coupé , estate
Engines:	Gasoline: 1.5-2.6 liters (40-74 kW)
Length:	4512 mm
Width:	1696 mm
Height:	1405-1534 mm
Wheelbase :	2639 mm
Curb weight :	970-1110 kg

The Opel Rekord A is a car model from the Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim . This was introduced in March 1963 as the successor to the Opel Rekord P2 .

History

Opel introduced the marking of following models of all produced vehicle types by letters in the order of the alphabet (A, B, C etc.).The successor was published in August 1965 and only insignificantly changed and provided with newly developed engines record B , but was built just under a yea

In March 1963, the record A was released as a stylistically modified and larger sequel to the internationally successful record P2. The initial model name Opel Rekord R3 or record R3, which was still in the documents of the very early automobiles, was altered to Opel in record A and led to the labelling of succeeding models of all vehicle types with letters in alphabetical sequence (A, B , C, etc.). On the glove box, however, P2 was still marked with the words "Olympia," just like its predecessor. Because the body line was designed at the General Motors Design Center in Warren, Michigan, it had a car-sized, smooth-surfaced, sombre but attractive Chevrolet II body style from 1962. The Rüsselsheim designers, on the other hand, were involved in the coupe's design.

The Rekord A, whose interior was designed more modern than its predecessor, was available as a two- and four-door notchback sedan , as a three-door station wagon, as a coupe and as a delivery van (without rear side windows). The station wagons and vans were only available as three-doors.On request, there was also a convertible version based on the coupe, which was rebuilt by the bodywork companies Deutsch in Cologne and Autenrieth in Darmstadt.

PERFORMANCE:1.5L

• engine capacity: 90.80 cu in, 1,488 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 31.4 ml imp gal, 26.1 mlUS gal, 91 x 100 km
• max speed:D 83.2 mph, 134 km/h
• max power (SAE): 63 hp at 4,800 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 81 1b ft, 11.2 kg m at 2,400-3,200 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 5,000
• specific power: 42.3 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 38.6 lb/hp, 17.5 kg/hp
• acceleration: 0—50 mph (0 —80 km/h) 15.5 sec

The series - four-cylinder engines - with either 1.5 liters or 1.7 liters capacity and a power of 55, 60 or 68 hp (40, 44 or 50 kW) - based on the Opel Olympia engine from 1937. This prewar construction with lateral camshaft , hanging valves and four bearing crankshaft received its last and highest level of service from record A. Although it had the reputation of good durability, but was technically no longer up to date and in their development potential exhausted. The successor of record B (from 1965) received newly designed CIH engines with overhead camshaft.

PERFORMANCE 1.7L S

• engine capacity:102.51 cu in, 1,680 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 30.3 mlimp gal, 25.3 mlUS gal, 9.3 1 x 100 km
• max speed: 85.7 mph, 138 km/h
• max power (SAE): 68 hp at 4,400 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 94 1b ft, 13 kg m at 2,400- 3,200 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 5,000
• specific power: 40.5 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 31.3 lb/hp, 14.2 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.8 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 12.1 sec

The starting June 1964 deliverable record L-6 with the 100 hp (74 kW) 2.6-liter inline six-cylinder (based on the pre-war construction of the Opel Super 6 of 1937) is considered the forerunner of the Opel Commodore . This was only available as a sedan and coupe. The L-6 was together with the captain / admiral / diplomat A, the first Opel car model with a 12-volt system. The engine block of the in-line six-cylinder strongly weighed on the front axle, so that the steering in the state and when maneuvering was correspondingly stiff, which occasionally even led to accidents (the steering wheel slipped out of hand when cranking). A power steeringwas not available; it was only available in the luxury class Opel KAD A series. The automatic power steering was then considered a luxury.

PERFORMANCE:2.6L

• engine capacity: 158.96 cu in, 2,605 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 26.4 m/imp gal, 22 m/US gal, 10.7 1 X 100 km
• max speed: 105.6 mph, 170 km/h
• max power (SAE): 117 hp at 4,700 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 146 1b ft, 20.1 kg m at 3,000 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 5,000
• specific power: 44.9 hp/l
• power- weight ratio: 20.5 lb/hp, 9.3 kg/hp
• acceleration: 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 8.3 sec.

Saloon and station wagon were available as desired with fully synchronized three or four-speed gearbox and steering wheel circuit ; the coupe had the standard four-speed gearbox and middle circuit .Optionally, the automatic clutch " Olymat " was available with the three-speed gearbox (similar to Saxomat from Fichtel & Sachs ). The system consisted of a centrifugal-controlled starting clutch and a second clutch for the gear change, whereby the clutch pedal was eliminated. The actuated by the negative pressure of the engine second clutch was activated when switching by an electrical contact on the shift lever. The chassis of the record A corresponded to the standard of the 1960s: front independent suspension on double wishbones with coil springs , rear rigid axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and hydraulicTelescopic shock absorbers all around. Drum brakes were standard ; for a surcharge front disc brakes were available in conjunction with a dual-circuit brake system . In the 2.6-liter model, the dual-circuit brake system with front disc brakes and brake booster was standard.

From March 1963 to July 1965, a total of 887,304 A records were produced.