Only last year of generation D
Opel of course had the fast Kadett GT/E in the 1970s, a coupe with rear-wheel drive. The real answer to the Volkswagen Golf GTI only came in 1983: the GTE (without dash indeed) based on the Kadett D, and therefore with front-wheel drive. Forty years later we hit the road with the GTE, which was only in production for a year.
It was only in production for one year, the Opel Kadett D GTE, a direct competitor to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which was introduced in 1976. Opel only introduced the front-wheel drive Kadett in 1979, five years after the Golf came on the market. You would think that a fast version was planned from the start, if only to boost the brand image. But nothing is less true. It was not until 1983, when Volkswagen unveiled the second generation Golf, that Opel put a sporty Kadett in the showroom. This concerns a new generation of four-cylinders, with an alloy cylinder head and hydraulic valve tappets. Let’s take a look at the 1984 catalog to see which cars in the Kadett GTE price range broke the 100 hp barrier. As expected, these are the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Escort the obvious Volvo 360 GLT could keep up with the fastest Kadett. They are now all collector’s items and are virtually impossible to find in their original condition. That’s why our enthusiasts’ hearts immediately started beating faster when they saw this fast Kadett. It comes from the first owner, has driven just over a tonne and apart from a new coat of paint, everything is still as on the day of delivery. Incredible.
Plastic body kit all around for the GTE
On the outside, the strongest Kadett distinguishes itself from its weaker brothers (a paltry 40 hp for the 1.0) with many black elements. A plastic body kit that extends from the front spoiler over the wheel arches and sills to under the rear bumper makes it a bit more muscular. And then there are the sports mirrors and the 14-inch alloy wheels. The black border around the rear window is copied directly from the Golf GTI.
This 1.8 engine would also serve in the Kadett E GSi until 1986, after which the GSi was given a 2.0.
Then quickly get in and enjoy the nice sports seat from Recaro, with the GTE lettering in the backrest. The dashboard is extremely pragmatic and does not differ from that of a normal Kadett, apart from a few extra clocks and a nice sports steering wheel. Everything is where it should be and the radio is not hidden somewhere deep. It has two sliders for heating and ventilation and a knob for the blower. You can pull out the same button and use it to switch on the rear heating. The light switch also has this function and in that case the interior light comes on. This was a familiar operating concept at Opel for years. And it is so nice and light in the interior! This is caused by the then optional glass tilting roof. You can set it ajar with a turn knob, which provides some extra cooling in the summer and for the inveterate smoker, the slot functions as an extractor hood. We are completely back in the eighties and that is wonderful.
Eighties feeling comes completely to life through the engine
That eighties feeling comes to life even more as soon as we start the engine. The unmistakable Opel sound comes through the bulkhead and a heavy exhaust growl has clearly not been chosen. From around 3,000 rpm the 1.8-liter injection engine comes into action. Unfortunately, the shifting is a bit choppy, but that may improve once the car drives more kilometers. When the lubricants are at the right temperature, we press the accelerator a little further and the Kadett rewards with smooth acceleration.
At the regular table, a proud GTE owner at the time would probably have mentioned that the speedometer needle touched 200. With the long fifth gear and a bit of downhill, that should certainly be possible. The carriage is slightly closer to the asphalt and the shock absorbers are stiffer. In combination with the low weight, you can turn the corner very well. It may be a little less light-footed and playful than a Golf GTI, but on the highway the Kadett offers a little more peace and comfort. Gradually you start to enjoy driving and you are amazed that you are driving a car that is almost forty years old. Yes, there is more noise and less luxury than in a contemporary hatchback, but there is a lot of experience in return. It does not surprise us that it now costs almost as much in euros as it did in guilders at the time (the copy we drove was for sale for €21,500). Just try to find a second one.
Opel Kadett D GTE: super rare, because it was only delivered for one year.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl