Opel Kapitan 1954 introduction photo factory press photograph for Sale

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Opel Kapitan 1954 introduction photo factory press photograph For Sale

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Opel Kapitan 1954 introduction photo factory press photograph:
$9.75

A superb and rare photo of the magnificent Opel Kapitan, gorgeously photographed for its officialintroduction in 1954.

Opel AG (Opel) is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862.Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaftin 1929. The company is headquartered in Rüsselsheim, Hesse, Germany. It becamea majority-stake subsidiary of the General Motors Corporation in 1929 and hasbeen a wholly owned subsidiary since 1931. Their models have been rebadged andsold in other countries and continents, such as Vauxhall in the UK, Holden inAustralia and New Zealand and, previously, Saturn in the U.S. and Canada.Following the demise of General Motors Corporation\'s Saturn division in NorthAmerica, Opel cars are currently rebadged and sold in the U.S., Canada, andChina under the Buick name with models such as the Opel Insignia/Buick Regal,Opel Astra sedan/Buick Verano, and Opel Mokka/Buick Encore. The company wasfounded in Rüsselsheim, Hesse, Germany, on January 21, 1862, by Adam Opel. Atthe beginning, Opel just produced sewing machines in a cowshed in Rüsselsheim.Above all, his success was based on his perfectly customized sewing machines. Becauseof the quick growth of his business, in 1888 the production was relocated fromthe cowshed to a more spacious building in Rüsselsheim. Encouraged by success,Adam Opel launched a new product in 1886: He began to sell high-wheel bicycles,also known as penny-farthings. Besides, Opel\'s two sons participated inhigh-wheel bicycle races and thus promoted this means of transportation.Therefore, the production of high-wheel bicycles soon exceeded the productionof sewing machines. At the time of Opel\'s death in 1895, he was the leader inboth markets. The first cars were produced in 1899 after Opel\'s sons enteredinto a partnership with Friedrich Lutzmann, a locksmith at the court in Dessauin Saxony-Anhalt, who had been working on automobile designs for some time.These cars were not very successful and so the partnership was dissolved aftertwo years, following which Opel\'s sons signed a licensing agreement in 1901with the French Automobiles Darracq S.A. to manufacture vehicles under thebrand name \"Opel-Darracq\". These cars were made up of Opel bodiesmounted on a Darracq chassis, powered by a two-cylinder engine. The companyfirst showed cars of its own design at the 1902 Hamburg Motor Show, and startedmanufacturing them in 1906, with Opel-Darracq production being discontinued in1907. In 1909, the Opel 4/8 hp model, known as the \"Doctor\'s Car\" wasproduced. Its reliability and robustness were greatly appreciated byphysicians, who drove a lot to see their patients, back when hard-surfaced roadswere still rare. The \"Doctor\'s Car\" sold for only 3,950 marks, abouthalf as much as the luxury models of its day. In 1911, the company\'s factorywas virtually destroyed by fire and a new one was built with more up-to-datemachinery.By 1914, Opel had become the largest German manufacturer of motorvehicles. In the early 1920s, Opel became the first German car manufacturer toincorporate a mass production assembly line in the building of theirautomobiles. In 1924, they used their assembly line to produce a new opentwo-seater called the \"Laubfrosch\". The Laubfrosch was finishedexclusively in green lacquer. The car sold for an expensive 4,500 marks(expensive considering the less expensive manufacturing process) but by the1930s this type of vehicle would cost a mere 1,990 marks – due in part to theassembly line, but also due to the skyrocketing demand for cars. Adam Opel ledthe way for motorized transportation to become not just a means for the rich,but a reliable way for people of all classes to travel. Opel had a 37.5% marketshare in Germany and was also the country\'s largest automobile exporter in1928. The \"Regent\" – Opel\'s first eight-cylinder car – was offered.The RAK 1 and RAK 2 rocket-propelled cars made sensational record-breakingruns.In March 1929, General Motors (GM), impressed by Opel\'s modern productionfacilities, bought 80% of the company, increasing this to 100% in 1931. TheOpel family gained $33.3 million from the transaction. Subsequently, during1935, a second factory was built at Brandenburg for the production of\"Blitz\" light trucks. 1935 was also the year in which Opel became thefirst German car manufacturer to produce over 100,000 vehicles a year. This wasbased on the popular Opel \"P4\" model. The selling price was a mere1,650 marks and the car had a 23 hp (17 kW) 1.1 L four-cylinder engine and atop speed of 85 km/h (53 mph). Opel also produced the first mass-productionvehicle with a self-supporting all steel body. They called it the Olympia. Withits small weight and aerodynamics came an improvement in both performance andfuel consumption. Opel receives a patent which is considered one of the mostimportant innovations in automotive history. 1939 saw the presentation of thehighly successful Kapitän. With a 2.5 L six-cylinder engine, all-steel body,front independent suspension, hydraulic shock absorbers, hot-water heating(with electric blower), and central speedometer. 25,374 Kapitäns left thefactory before intensification of World War II brought automotive manufacturingto a temporary stop in the Autumn of 1940, by order of the government. WorldWar II brought to Rüsselsheim the only year in the entire history of Opel –1945 – in which it produced no vehicles at all, since that firstLutzmann-authored Opel was made in 1899. Before the conflict broke out, theAdam Opel AG had established itself as the largest motor vehicle manufacturerin Europe. The combination of Opel know-how with GM resources had producedoutstanding results. In spite of stifling red tape, the economic atmosphere inGermany in the 1930s had powerfully fertilized the growth of this and otherauto companies. But in the case of Opel, at least, it was clear that theexpansion of this industrial machine was not directed in any way towardmilitary objectives. Even after June 1940, official connections between Opeland America were not broken and monetary gain continued throughout the warwhich was controlled by the J.P Morgan firm, the Rüsselsheim plant was nevergiven a major role in Germany\'s war preparations. Neither was Ford\'s plant inCologne considered trustworthy enough for a big assignment, such as tankmanufacture, in view of their earlier foreign associations. Initially, ofcourse, it had appeared that the war would be a short one settled in Germany\'sfavor.

This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflectsa wonderful era of Opel automotive history in a wonderful way. This isyour rare chance to ownthis photo, therefore it is printed in a nicelarge format ofca. 8\" x 10\" (ca. 20 x 26 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.

Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos youbuy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!

(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear onphoto, for purposes only)

No copyrightexpressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out ourarchives that we have gathered from various sources.

All items always sent wellprotected in PVC clear filesand board backedenvelopes.

We havephotographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from theoriginal photographer or press studio! They are all of professional andexcellent quality.

After many decadesof professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out ourarchives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. Theywill look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with aborder. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,restaurant, bar or club!

First come -first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask anyquestions before the sale ends.