Adrie van Mil is camping with an Opel Kadett and Otten caravan, completely Dutch and 1980s

To silence romantics: the choice for this Opel Kadett was not only driven by nostalgia, but also by the wallet. “We wanted a matching car for our classic caravan. In connection with the exemption scheme for vintage cars, I was looking for one that was approximately 40 years old. This 1979 Opel Kadett soon came into view. It was also located nearby, in Rotterdam, so reason enough to go and have a look. It turned out that the car had been sitting for quite some time – the mileage was remarkably low – and we quickly came to an agreement. After I handed over two grand to the owner, I was able to take it home,” says Adrie van Mil, who sees the classic as a fun hobby project for him and his son Koen. Yet the choice for the compact German was not entirely coincidental, as Adrie has seen many Opels pass him by in the past. His first car was a B-Kadett. And Koen travels in a Corsa.

The Opel Kadett D is a 1.2N with 53 hp. The basic version.

Adri impressed by the build quality of Opel Kadett

In order to be able to face the MOT with confidence, the men tackled the brakes, gave the engine a major overhaul and replaced the right front mudguard, because the original copy was no longer completely in good condition. Adrie: “I ordered the mudguard by color code, and what happens after installation? No color difference visible! That says something about Opel’s paint quality after all these decades!” A problem with the fuel supply was also resolved – “That may have to do with the long standstill, but that also has an advantage: the mileage is only 62,000!” – and Adrie installed a different grille that included fog lights. On to the MOT. That turned out to be little more than a formality, as the classic came through with flying colors. Time to delve into your new acquisition. With special finds!

Accessory from that time, so supposedly ‘period correct’: the fog lights in the grille.

Opel called the Kadett D four-door sedan

Son Koen, who has just completed a return trip to Ommen with his classic Sparta moped from 1972 (about 400 kilometers from his home in Waddinxveen), joins us. “This was one of the basic models at the time,” he says. “It was not a hatchback, but a real sedan. Take a look: a small trunk lid, while the rear window remains in place. A rarity, because the three/five door proved to be much more convenient than the two/four door with its small luggage opening and was therefore sold much more. In addition, the FL-53-RR is also modestly motorized: a 1.2 N, good for 53 hp. With a top of 140 km/h, the cake was ready.”

A four-door, because there is no real fifth door. Of course they had the three and five doors.

Besides the fact that Adrie and Koen almost got their hands on the basic model – note the round headlights – it also turned out that it was a very early Kadett. The car was registered on October 5, 1979, just a few weeks after its introduction to the Dutch market. Adrie is a member of the Opel Kadett D register and discovered to his surprise and joy that it is even the oldest driving four-door D-Kadett in our country! If you add all this up, that two grand is well spent. However, there was still one thing: no towing weights were stated on the license plate card, while the purchase of the German sandwich was intended to tow a classic caravan. “The RDW has solved it neatly according to an old principle: the curb weight of the car divided by two is the maximum permitted unbraked towing weight,” says Adrie. “In the case of the Kadett, that is 463 kilos, because the car weighs 926 kilos when ready to drive. When braked, it can tow 571 kilos. This means I have two license plate cards: one without and one stating the towing weights. I didn’t have to pay the RDW anything for this service, but more importantly: our Otten fits nicely behind it.”

Before we set our sights on the house on wheels, let’s let the red trigger take effect again. Again, because of course we know this cornerstone of Dutch society as well as kale with sausage or the bread roll of cheese. And it may be a stripped-down version, but inside you don’t feel like you’re lacking much. This will also have to do with the neat condition of the floor covering (coconut mats, what were you thinking?) and upholstery (period-specific beige in a block pattern), which contrasts nicely in color with the red sheet metal that pops up here and there.

Otten made caravans with a streamline

Then it is time to inspect the Dutch house more closely. Although we are not CaravanWeek and caravans are not even discussed in AutoWeek Campers, this Otten is worth putting in the spotlight. This has everything to do with the different appearance: low and a roof that is longer than the base plate. It is the hallmark of the Ottens and has everything to do with streamlining. With a ‘brick’ on the hook, the thirst for fuel is of course much greater than with a low and rounded whole. This meant that brothers Jan Cornelis and Barend Otten had been sending their creations out into the world in this way from Muntendam in Groningen since 1956. The latter was reinforced with illustrious model names such as Discoverer, Speurder, Trekker and Zwerver. Adrie’s model is a Zwerver from 1982 and was built in the Harderwijk facility. If you stand next to it, you will be amazed at the small volume – and especially the low height – of the mobile house. Still, it’s not too bad with that height. “All Otten caravans have a lifting roof. This way, people up to approximately 1.90 meters can still stand upright,” says Adrie. The modest floor space makes the Zwerver a strictly two-person accommodation. Fold the table, slide the sofa cushions together and you have a double bed. A small kitchen including a refrigerator and quite a bit of cupboard space and that’s it, because a wet room is conspicuous by its absence. Just like the towing vehicle, the decoration inside its trailer is time-bound. Lots of dark brown wood and ditto upholstery with a block pattern here too. To be honest, it looks a bit gloomy, but fortunately there are curtains made by wife and mother Jolanda with Dutch scenes in Delft blue, so that you can still speak of a cozy whole.

Blocks in the Opel Kadett, windows in the caravan.

Adrie bought the caravan eight years ago

“We have always driven caravans,” says Adrie. “Once the children had left the house, we no longer felt this was necessary and we switched to the tent. Until we met this Otten in Enschede eight years ago. He was already 33 years old at the time, but still completely original. Jolanda and I were immediately enthusiastic and for a price that was only slightly above that of the Kadett, we took it with us. Some time ago I had the chassis, including the brakes and axle rubbers, restored and we have used it annually since then. First behind our daily Suzuki SX4 – to Drenthe, Limburg and Twente – and from now on the Kadett can do the job. This required a towbar, because the Opel did not have one. At the scrapyard in Rijswijk I actually found a brand new one, which was still in the packaging,” says our host, who is not only involved in transport as a hobby, but also earns his living from it, although it is something completely different. “I am the owner of a yacht yard in my hometown of Reeuwijk, specialized in electric sailing.”

The kitchen unit in the Otten Zwerver.

Together it cost less than 5,000 euros

It is clear that the sound of the elderly 1200 could occasionally be heard among the whisper boats, because there the classic German was adapted to serve as a reliable draft horse. “We have enjoyed the Kadett from day one, both in terms of tinkering and driving,” says Adrie. It is also a touching sight to see the team driving. It’s not just us who think so, because when we drive to nearby Reeuwijkse Hout to take photos, we see several thumbs up both along the way and on location. “What a nice little thing,” says the Zwerver. Recognizable for Adrie and Jolanda, because they have been hearing similar compliments for years. “You can imagine that we want to continue riding with this team for years to come,” says a beaming Adrie. Absolute! A reliable, virgin classic in a rare version plus a cozy house on wheels. Go where and when you want, bring back (childhood) memories and, in the bargain, brighten up the traffic scene. All that for less than five grand. Enjoy it!