Opel Rekord C

The Opel Rekord C is a vehicle from Adam Opel AG from the model series Opel Rekord. The record C replaced from August 1966, the only just one year built Rekord B with an entirely new body. 

History 

The concept development of the Rekord C began in 1963 Hans Mersheimer, who was chief engineer and technical director of the Adam Opel AG until 1967, set the guidelines. Because of the characteristic rear, the record C became known as the " Coke-Bottle”.The 1967 Rekord retains some of the exterior characteristics which are becoming typical of this make (the design of the nose with rectangular headlamps and a horizontal design radiator cowling) and for what remains drawsits inspiration from the latest fashions dictated by American coachbuilders. In fact. the high circumferential belt has disappeared and there is a great deal of movement. especially in the rear of the car. Various slight modifications have been made to the dimensions. The length has been increased by about an inch and the vehicle is two inches wider; the wheelbase end track have also been increased. while the height, on the other hend, has been reduced by two inches.
The Rekord. like all the cars produced by Opel. has always been both by the great comfort it offers and by its excellent road holding
which is combined with beautifully precise reactions which give the driver good waming of when he is nearing critical limits. These great qualities. on which the success this model has had both in Great Britain and abroad greatly depends. have recently been added to by the new design of the rear suspension which uses helicoid springs completed by an anti-roll bar in place of the leafsprings that were a feature of the earlier
version.All the controls are sweet and progressive. The steering wheel. though possessing the advantage of being flexible and not at all tiring. only needs 3 turns from lock to lock. thus making driving a very pleasant and relaxing

The body line followed a mid-1960s in the US created new style for muscle cars, the " Coke Bottle Shape " (after which also the Opel GT was built). As a reference point for the design was GM. Also on the chassis, there were some technical changes: A longer wheelbase, an improved front double wishbone - independent suspension with coil springs and stabilizer. The fairly simple, leaf-sprung rear axle of the predecessor gave way to a "five-link axle". This rigid axle with coil springs, four trailing arms and the Panhard rod, which Opel described as a wishbone, made for significantly more stable handling. 

The Rekord C was available as a two- or four-door sedan, as a three- or five-door estate caravan, as a three-door van (caravan, without rear side windows) and from January 1967 as a coupe. The coupe has no B-pillar and is considered by many fans as the most elegant record model. In addition, there was from 1967 a convertible on the basis of the two-door record as well as the Commodore sedan of Karl Deutsch body shop in Cologne, but are rare. Also, Karmann in Osnabrück developed a convertible version, based on the Commodore, which did not go into series. It was based on the two-door sedan, with four side windows, only the four copies created.

The dual-circuit brake system with brake booster worked on all models on front disc brakes and drum brakes on the rear axle. Which had improved passive safety by a padded foam instrument panel, a telescoping steering column and efficiently designed deformation zones. For an additional charge, there were three-point seat belts and headrests for the front seats. A glare-free round instrument replaced the Opel-typical tachometer. The Rekord C crash tests was praised the stability of the passenger compartment at the time.Optional Accessories  Olymat automatic clutch; anti-roll bar on rear suspension; alternator; sunshine rooft 4-speed mechanical,steering column or central gear lever.

The Rekord C series was also produced and distributed in other countries, partly with other model designations. Ranger A was produced in South Africa, Belgium and Switzerland, the Chevrolet Opala (or Opala Comodoro and Opala Diplomate) in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, as well as the Opel Olympico in Mexico. The Chevrolet Opala ran in Brazil until the early 1990s from the band. He differed externally from the record C by changing the front and rear sections.

The engine assortment corresponded in part to that of the predecessor; They were so-called CIH engines (with camshaft in the cylinder head and drive of the valves via rocker arms).The same engine is used as in the earlier model. It is a super-square four-cylinder with the distribution by an overhead double chain-driven camshaft The slanting position Of the valves with respect to the head allows the cylinders to fill up more easily as they are better lined up with the induction manifold. The valves also have an automatic device which makes them round slightly each time they are lifted. thus guaranteeing they will be in excellent condition even after several thousand miles. As the tappets are hydroulic. they need no regulation. There are five bearings for the crankshaft and these ensure that there is no dangerous vibration even when the engine. which will easily rev up to 6.000 rpm. is turning over fast. A direct contribution to easier maintenance is the abolition of all greasing points. In fact. all the steering box and suspension joints are long life.

The 1.5-liter engine had initially produced by Opel with Carter license carburettor of the record A.

PERFORMANCE: 1.5L

• Engine capacity: 91.04 cu in, 1,492 cu cm
• Fuel consumption: 29.7 m/imp gal, 24.8 m/US gal, 9.5 1 x 100 km
• Max speed: 83.9 mph, 135 km/h
• Max power (SAE): 67 hp at 5,000 rpm
• Max torque (SAE): 82 1b ft, 11.3 kg m at 3,500 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,000
• Specific power: 44.9 hp/l
• Power-weight ratio: 33.7 lb/hp, 15.3 kg/hp
• Acceleration: 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 15 sec

from 1969 then as the new 1.7-liter regular gasoline engine a carburettor from Solex.

Performance 1.7L

• Engine Capacity 103.61 cu in, 1,698 cu cm
• Fuel Consumption 26.1 mlimp gal, 21.8 mlUS gal, 10.8 1 x 100 km
• Max Speed 92 mph, 148 kmh
• max power (SAE): 84 hp at 5,600 rpm
• max torque (SAE) : 101 1b ft, 13.9 kg m at rpm
• max engine rpm: 5,600
• specific power: 49.5 hp/l
• max speeds: 28.6 mph, 46 km/h in 1st gear; 54.7 mph,88 km/h in 2nd gear; 92 mph, 148 km/h in 3rd gear
• power-weight ratio: 28 lb/hp, 12.7 kg/hp
• acceleration: 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 12 sec.

 The in its basic construction still on the Opel Super 6 of 1937 going back 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine of the old record B L-6 was no longer in the program, but a newly developed 2.2-liter inline six-cylinder, from 1967 with the appearance of the Commodore A in the record was no longer offered. When record "Sprint" was the performance of the 1.9 s engine by means of two double - downdraft carburettor of the type 40 DFO of the Italian manufacturer Weber and modified HL (high-performance) cylinder head increased to 106 hp.

Performance 1.9L

• engine capacity 115.75 cu in, 1,897 cu cm
• Power :102 hp
• max speed 99.4 mph' 160 km/h
• fuel consumption 26.9 m/imp gal

All engines

• 1.5N: 58 hp (from 1969: 60 hp, discontinued in 1970)
• 1.7N: 60 hp (from 1969: 66 hp)
• 1,7S: 75 HP
• 1.9 s: 90 hp
• 1.9H: 106 hp (only in the special model record "Sprint")
• 2.2N: 95 hp (six-cylinder, only until 1967)

Timeline

• August 1966 - Presentation of the record C at the Opel dealers
• December 1966 - The new 2.2-liter straight-six is ​​available with all bodies.
• January 1967 - Introduction of the Rekord C Coupe
• October 1967 - The special model "savings record" comes on the market (simple equipment and only in gray paint).
• November 1967 - Start of production of the record sprint with 106 hp
• August 1968 - The six-cylinder engine falls for lack of demand from the record program. As a successor to this variant came in February 1967, the Opel Commodore on the market.
• November 1968 - Second series of the "Spar-Rekord", now also in Sirius blue. The Powerglide two-speed automatic gave way to a new GM three-speed automatic.
• January 1969 - Since the record Sprint is mainly sold as a coupe, eliminating the Sprint sedan. The three-speed manual is no longer available.
• January 1970 - The 1.5-liter engine falls out of the engine range.
• July 1971 - Special model record "Holiday" with sunroof, additional headlights and heated rear window.
• September 1971 - The record sprint is set.
• January 1972 - End of production after 1,274,362 copies

The record C was the most successful record model - Opel crossed for the first time the million marks: 1.274.362 vehicles were built until January 1972. The production of the successor record D began in December 1971.