Hi guys, I've been coming here from time to time, but I never had anything old enough to post about it here - as I understood it, only 1964 and older cars are welcome here. This week, I bought a 1960s Opel Admiral - probably a 1966, but may be 1964 as these things were the same from '64 to '68. Is it old and "hotrodesque" enough to be welcome here? It's got a flat black paint, red steelies with hubcaps, 283 Chevy (factory engine!) which is freshly rebuilt and mostly stock, other than Edelbrock carb, Mallory ignition and duals with Cherry Bomb glasspacks. Behind it is a 200R4 tranny, other than that, the car is mostly stock... Some pics...
You European guys are kinda in the same boat as the Aussies, lots of odd GM stuff and even less early Ford I would suspect in the Czech Rep? We wont pick on you for the car given your location. It has some 64ish GM qualities, and there are guys with gasser style 64s that are fine here. Good luck.
BobAsh, Works for me, although I suspect some aren't too happy that I'm here either. Seeing that small block in there is hilarious, it's really stock? What are you doing in the Czech Republic? I suspect your not Czech cause your english is too Americanized, but if you are, no disrespect intended. Welcome aboard!
Heck yeah...I dig it!!! Welcome to the board. What are your plans for it? Any changes youd like to make? Maybe some flake on the roof? Scallops? Wild panel paint job!!!? Whatever, keep us posted.
the front fenders lend styling to a 63' chevy. it must cost a ton to run it as fuel must be outragious! never have seen anything like it but its cool!
Czech, are there still people there, I thought they all moved to Jacksonville Florida? Pretty cool more door, go easy on the 200R4 unless it's been rebuilt with bronze bushings.
Bob, I suppose you got the car in Hungary as it carries Hungarian export plates. It's one of the few European GM models that carried several American styling touches and mechanical features. Good car!
Is it really the stock engine? As far as I know only Opel Diplomat have Chevy V8 from factory. Both 283 and 327 was availably and both with Powerglide trans. I can be wrong here but I think the Admiral and Kapitan have straight six from factory.
hell its a Vauxhall Victor in disguise, there were plently of V8 Victors down here in the 70-80's pretty rare to see these days.....
I thought it was just the 'Diplomat' that had these engines too.Saw a couple of nice 327 powered Diplomats when I served in Germany.Cool cars.
I DIG IT! Last time i was in Prague, i saw an old 40s or 50s skoda wagon i thought was pretty bitchen, and wanted to buy. I like the old dude checking it out in pic #1. Welcome aboard.
There used to be one around here when I was a kid. Didn't think too much about it- I knew the GM-Opel connection- and didn't know that it probably wasn't a regular import model. Looks H.A.M.B.-friendly to me! Welcome aboard. The only thing that concerns me a bit is the copper brake lines (maybe it's the camera angle and the shading...they look copper to me). That would make me a tad nervous.
I just had this insane thought. What if you were to paint it sort of like the Blues Brothers "bluesmobile" from the movie? Then again, never mind. I was right. That's just insane.
I'd drive it every day. It's got kinda a muscle car look it. Chrome reverse wheel's would look neat. Unpolished 5 spoke's w/ Redline tire's. It's a neat ride. Bet those bucket seat's would go for near a grand here in US. LOVE the motor, too.
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome... Now, to the questions: Tman: Old GM stuff is much less common in CZ than old Fords and Chryslers. Under the commie regime, not much from GM was imported, but Ford Cortinas were sold here since early 60s until early 80s, gaining them quite a following, which then transfered to other Euro Fords like Capri, Granada and Taunus. There are two big clubs for classic European Fords in the country and several Ford meets. Classic GM following is much smaller, as far as I know. But I'll have yet to find out, I was involved with old Ford stuff, old American stuff, but never with old GMs. evolvo: I'm Czech and I've never been to America, or in fact any English speaking country. It's probably the time spent on US discussion boards, watching American films and so on, what made my English more American than British. Or I just like the American version better. Don't know. 333_Half_Evil: Plans... not sure yet. For the time being, it stays flat black. The front will get a little higher, as the front wheels rub the wheelarches and I can't use full lock. First of all, I need to make all the little things work - heater, fan, horn, tach, maybe even a radio. It will be my semi-daily driver. Next, I want to learn the thing how to drive around corners - front springs are weak as hell, so it'll get stiffer ones, maybe a fatter sway bar. And a hotter cam + intake. Nothing wild, just something like Edelbrock Performer (non-RPM), or something like that. Now both is stock. dixiedog: The 200R4 was rebuilt, here's the list what went to it... GM 200 R4 transmission was installed. (4 speed + lock up) Trans was fully rebuilt and improved using the following components: Transgo Shif Kit 0,50 booster valve New lock-up solenoid Superior billet Super Servo 13 vane oil pump It seemst to me that it should handle some power, especially when it comes from measly 283. Ajtofelfa: Yeah, I traded it with a guy from Hungary for a '68 Galaxie 500 fastback. I wanted something that I can drive, not a total project. He wanted a change and was looking for a project. Orn: Yes, it is original engine (or, original size of the engine - this one is from another car). The KAD (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat) Opels were basically the same car, so much so that I'm not even sure whether this is an Admiral or a Diplomat - it may be both and certainly has components from both. But in the papers and on the car it says Admiral, so that's how I call it. As for the engines: Kapitän and Admiral were offerd with range of 2.6 and 2.8 I6s and 283 Chevy V8. Diplomat had only V8s, 283 or 327. There was also a Diplomat Coupe, which could be had only with 327. Unfortunately, these are extremely rare and quite expensive.
I WILL drive it every day. And I drive in the centre of a medium sized (100.000) town, where it will spend the time on the street, scaring little children. Wheels are a little problem. It's got 5x120 pattern, which is close to the 4x4.75 Chevy, but not close enough. So I can go either with old BMW wheels, some other old Opel wheels or try to buy something - but only acceptable thing I found in this pattern were AR Daytons. In any case, it needs 15" wheels and more rubber.
Jesus! You type Engrish that well and have never been abroad? I commend you! As for your wheels, how about finding a place to chrome that odd bolt pattern Steelie?
One more thing - I just spent some time looking at Vauxhall Victor and Cresta on the net, and KAD Opels are not related to them. Victor is MUCH smaller (about 0.5m or nearly two feet difference), it's got springs in the back as opposed to leafs and so on. Even the Cresta is smaller. Admiral is about the same size as mid-60s Dodge Dart. Tman: I don't want chromed steelies - everyone and their brother has them around here, on anything at least a bit American, cause they're only cheap "US like" wheels. I'd like something like Cragars S/S, Keystones or something like that.
A machine shop may re-drill your hardware to fit the Cragar's. But understand I'm not leaning on you to do so. Only a tip or suggestion. The last thing our 'distant' brother's over yonder is another 'merican tellin' em what to do. Peace-out.
Nice car and greetings from the Netherlands Here in Holland Admirals, Kapitans and Diplomats were popular cars and a lot of them were sold, but not so much as big BMW and Mercedes. I did own a 1970 Opel Commodore A coupe when i was 21 (shit that's also 21 years ago) and it was a real nice driving car, but rusty as hell. Good luck with your car and enjoy the HAMB
this little car would make a cool gasser ... needs a straight axle and fender well headers ... you are, of course, welcome here ... Joe
I think you can get by with using wobble bolts and chevy wheels on these Will look into it, i have a commodore myself, and looking at a `58 kapitän for this summer Cool car!
The HAMb is worldwide. Love it. What an interesting car. I say it is HAMB friendly. Why? Because it is working with what you have and creating an image you see beyond what the factory has provided. Yeah, it is skirting the edge, but for the love of all things petrol, I am driving a '82 Ford Granada wagon. BUT... still have the slEdsel.....
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