Opel Kadett (1986) – Into the Wild

What the Tesla Model 3 is today, the Opel Kadett E was in the 1980s and early 1990s. You saw them everywhere and therefore enjoyed a solid degree of anonymity when you drove them. There is only one big difference; the Kadett was hardly a striking car, while the Model 3 is a special appearance. Okay, one more difference then; the Kadett cost no average annual salary.

The comparison falls further short when considering the Kadett’s humble disposition. Its unpretentiousness and high ‘Brussels sprout air’ content make it a nice witness to simpler times. That is why the Kadett E, even if it is not yet a special, very old or extremely rare car, is worthy of In the Wild from the start. Already in 2014, the first year of this section, one of them was present. This red now joins the list. He was spotted by AutoWeek forum member Ginkelvanmichiel.

It is a Kadett of the first batch and you can see that in the grille, among other things. It is still part of the front bumper – not sprayed at any point – and consists of more ‘storeys’ than later. The Kadett 1.2 S LS (the version that appealed to people with a modest budget) stands on nice and modest wheels with what looks like the original hubcaps still on it and seems to be in pretty good condition in its red paint. Only some decorative strips are missing, so it might be worth looking to restore that.

Fortunately, we do not spot any crispy edges on this Kadett yet and that must mean that it has experienced a lot of time under cover. Its owners, despite the fact that it is a modest specimen, have treated it with care. It undoubtedly helped that the car remained with one person from 1996 to 2015. The Kadett (since Tuesday, please) is now with its eighth owner. A brand new owner, without a doubt someone who appreciates the charm and sees the Kadett as more than an ordinary means of transport.