Opel Rekord P2

Production period:	1960 to 1963
Class :	Motor car
Body versions :	Saloon , station wagon ,coupe
Engines:	Gasoline: 1.5-1.7 liters (37-44 kW)
Length:	4515 mm
Width:	1632 mm
Height:	1405-1516 mm
Wheelbase :	2541 mm
Curb weight :	940-1015 kg

The Opel Rekord P2 is a passenger car model from Opel,first built in August 1960 to take over from the Opel record P1.

History 

The Opel Rekord P2 made as a successor to the Opel Olympia Rekord P  a mid type luxury car.  Built and later factory-owned coupe version.The body was redesigned and the panoramic windows  - which the "P" in the model designation stood for.

Technically oriented Opel at P2 on its predecessor model, however, the occupant protection was improved in details. On the glove box flap was still the words " Olympia". The interior was modernized. Two-tone upholstery and two-tone finishes were also available in this range. In designing the P2, the dimensions of the interior were first determined before the bodywork was molded. The seating and boarding conditions should improve significantly. The panoramic windscreen was pulled less strongly in favor of larger doors in the sides. The visibility was not affected by this, the trade press judged the all-round visibility because of the bent around the corners front and rear windows as very good. A slight widening of the wheel by other wheels had a positive influence on the driving behavior, as well as improved ride comfort. The chassis of the P2 differed significantly from that of the P1: The floor assembly was welded to longitudinal and transverse beams, the axles and engine recorded. Opel described this construction as self-supporting with platform frame, was already on the Opel Captain P 2.5 and P 2.6.

Available was as a two- or four-door notchback sedan , two-door coupe, three-door station wagon caravan and as a three-door van (combi without rear side windows). The coupe, whose roof was lower and the rear sloped more than that of the sedan. At first Autenrieth built in Darmstadt limousines and coupes, from August 1961 made the Opel Rüsselsheim main factory, the coupe body itself. On request, there were convertible  of Autenrieth and the Cologne Coachbuilder in Germany .

Power source was as in the record P1 of the series - four-cylinder engine from the Opel Olympia Engine block and cylinder head were made of gray cast iron. It gave 50 HP (37 KW) achievement from 1,5 liters displacement or 55 HP (40 KW) from 1.7 liters. In the 1700 L, the power was increased to 60 hp (44 kW). The record 1500 had a fully synchronized three-speed gearbox , the models 1700, 1700 L and the coupe were available on request with a four-speed gearbox. All had steering wheel circuitry,  one-piece propeller shaft, with rigid rear axle. 

PERFORMANCE: 1700 cc

ENGINE CAPACITY: 102.75 cu in, 1680 cu cm
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 29.7 m/imp gal, 24.7 m/US gal, 9.5 1 x 100 km
MAX SPEED: 85.7 mph, 138 km/h
max power (SAE): 67 hp at 4300 rpm
max torque (SAE): 98 1b ft, 13.5 kgm at 2000-2500 rpm
max number of engine rpm: 4500
max speed in 1st gear: 24.2 mph, 39 km/h
max speed in 2nd gear: 42.2 mph, 68 km/h
max speed in 3rd gear: 64.6 mph, 104 km/h
max speed in 4th gear: 85.7 mph, 138 km/h
power-weight ratio: 30.4 lb/hp, 13.9 kg/hp
standing 1/4 mile 14 sec
speed in direct drive at 1000 rpm: 17.1 mph, 27.5 km/h.

All models except the 1700 L with four-speed transmission could be obtained for the semi-automatic clutch Saxomat of Fichtel & Sachs be fitted which at Opel " Olymat was". The semi-automatic transmission consisted of a centrifugal force-controlled starting clutch and a second clutch for changing gears. The actuated by the negative pressure of the engine second clutch was activated when switching by an electrical contact on the shift lever, whereby the clutch pedal was omitted. The Olymat worked similar to the clutch machine " Hydrak " in the six-cylinder Ponton Mercedes (W105) with a more comfortable, but technically complex hydraulic starting clutch.

By the end of production in February 1963, a total of 556,691 copies made. In the following month, the successor Opel Rekord A came on the market. 

Parallel to P2 were to December 1962 P1 as Opel 1200 with more simple equipment, 1.2 liters and 40 hp (29 kW) later, 46 hp (34 kW) at 4700 / min or with 1.5 liters and 55 hp (40 kW).