Adam Opel started a sewing machine factory in 1863 and expanded to include bicycles
in 1897. Following his death his five sons decided to include the manufacturing of
motorcars by aquiring the Anhaltische Motorwagenfabrik von Friedrich Lutzmann.
They launched the first Lutzmann based car in 1898. However, following a disagreement
with Lutzmann, they switched to manufacture the French Darracq under license with the
name Opel-Darracq.
In 1902 they launched their first car under the Opel name. They continued to launch
various size models with one to six cylinders motors. By 1914 they offered a range of
engines from the 1392cc to the huge 10200cc.
They soon realized, that to run a profitable company they would have to automate their
production and concentrate on an affodable small car which people could afford to buy.
This was achieved with the 1924 Laubfrosch on a moving assembly line. The car was
lagely based on the Citroën 5 CV with a 951cc engine.
1929 the United States-based General Motors took a majority stake in Opel and in 1931
they assumed full control. The well known brands of Olympia and Kadett were
introduced in 1935 and 1936 respectively, and the Kapitän followed in 1937.
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