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Topic starter
25/10/2023 12:34 pm
I have just received a package from Thomas Wolter at tinwizard.de containing two beautiful little models. This 1938-1940 Opel Kapitan, he has specially prepared as I wanted a green pre-war Kapitan that had hexagonal headlamps, but Tin Wizard only had post-war (round headlamps) in green! The other model being a Volvo PV444 which I'll post in coming days.
The Opel Kapitan was the last new Opel model to appear before the outbreak of the Second World War. Developed during 1938, production began in November of that year and the car was launched at the Geneva motor show in the spring of 1939.
The first Kapitän was available in various body styles, the most popular being the 4-door saloon seen here. A 2-door cabriolet was also offered. This car featured innovative, unitary body construction which was later studied by Soviet engineers in the development their GAZ-M20 Pobeda. It utilised the same 2.5-litre engine as its predecessor, offering a reported maximum speed of 118 km/h (73 mph). This can cause some confusion as the 1937-1938 car was referred to as the Super Six, after its engine and as the present advertising demonstrates, the Kapitan was also referred to as a Super Six.
Civilian automobile production ended in late 1940, with a further three being assembled in 1943, giving a total production volume of 25,374. 2 more were assembled in 1946, and another in 1947, though these were not included in the official inventory log.
25/10/2023 5:12 pm
A really cool and interesting automobile and it makes a superb model, Charles. It could also almost pass for an American passenger car in a 1930's scene in any U,S. city, too.
Topic starter
25/10/2023 5:42 pm
Thank-you Mike. I'm thrilled with my little car. You doubtless will have noticed at the bottom of the advert "product van General Motors" 
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25/10/2023 6:19 pm
I recall General Motors owned part of Opel. I had heard (perhaps it was apocryphal) that there was a patent issue during WWII and the U.S. told the company to forget about any issues and produce the product for the war effort and that they would be indemnified by the U S. government.
Karl Schnelle and Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
25/10/2023 6:34 pm
@mikedetorrice Mike, this is one helluva story! Pre WWII the world was just as global as today and all sorts of companies found themselves with one foot in one camp and the other in another. For the best insight into this question I would highly recommend Anthony C. Sutton's 'Wall Street And The Rise Of Hitler'. This may sound conspiratorial but Sutton was a serious academic and economist, and his work - while obviously attracting powerful opposition - is extremely well researched and evidentially supported. But more, when you look at how cross border business is done today, what we see in Sutton's books is no different. Only there's a war on!
David Green and Ed Davis reacted
26/10/2023 12:00 am
It is a difficult problem with not-always-easy answers. And what is "correct" ? In automobiles, I don't care what you purchase and get certainly whatever you would like. But don't tell me what to get/obtain. Many years ago I mentioned on the old Diecast Pub (and probably here) that a lady insisted I was a dinosaur because I drove an old V-8 Buick Roadmaster, whereas she drove an electric-powered vehicle. She simply said she got her power from 'out of the wall'.
In a drive from Chicago to the west coast, I said I would be happily on a beach next to the the Pacific Ocean hours before she even got there ...........and, in any case, where did her "out of the wall" electricity actually come from ?
The difference between mob rule and "fascistic" state rule can be broad. Or not that different.
Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
26/10/2023 5:40 am
@mikedetorrice Mike, I quite agree. I believe it is more rewarding to engage with someone who has different tastes and at least get an insight. Than to shout ever louder and learn nothing new. I had a similar - but opposite - problem when I was listening to '50s Rock 'n' Roll during the 1970s and wanted to understand the attraction of disco - but nobody would explain it - 'what it's all about?' I was dismissed as a nut.
Karl Schnelle reacted