What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
Kadett22 PDFs
Opel Kadett
This collection brings together 22 dealer brochures documenting the Opel Kadett Coupé from 1964 to 1991. The archive spans nearly three decades of production, capturing marketing materials from four European markets and representing multiple body styles including the Coupé, Aero, Cabrio, and Caravan variants. A valuable resource for automotive historians, enthusiasts, and researchers interested in the evolution of this popular compact car and its design heritage.
Multi-marketMarket
22PDFs
1964–1991Production
18Model years
Why it matters
Original manufacturer materials document equipment and options exactly as they were offered.
How to navigate
Use search or the year browser below. Each brochure card links to the full PDF download.
Browse by model year
Open a year to view details and download the brochure.
1968 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1968, the Kadett arrived in a fiercely competitive segment where British Leyland and Volkswagen dominated. Opel's answer was a straightforward, unpretentious family car: 1,092 cc of modest four-cylinder power delivering 55 horsepower, practical seating, and engineering that prioritized durability over flash. Where rivals offered charm or prestige, the Kadett offered honest G
1972 Opel Kadett Brochure
The 1972 Kadett arrived with a transversely mounted 1.1-litre four-cylinder producing 60 horsepower as the workhorse of the range. Its lightweight construction—under 800 kilograms for the saloon—gave it nimble handling that made it a sensible alternative to the Volkswagen Golf, which had only just appeared. Dutch buyers favored the practical saloon body, though the estate varia
1976 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1976, Opel's Kadett held steady in the Dutch market against the increasingly dominant Golf and Volkswagen's expanding range. The longitudinal four-cylinder engines—a 1.0-litre unit producing 55 horsepower, or the more robust 1.2-litre with 60 hp—appealed to buyers seeking straightforward engineering without premium pricing. The Netherlands received the full saloon and estate
1978 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1978, the Kadett range offered buyers a choice between three-door and five-door saloons, plus an estate variant—each powered by the transverse 1.6-litre engine producing 75 horsepower. Against rivals like the Golf and Passat, Opel positioned this generation as the affordable family workhorse, emphasizing interior space and Dutch-market reliability. The brochure highlighted t
1979 Opel Kadett Brochure
When 1979 arrived, the Kadett faced stiffening competition from the Golf and Chevette, yet Opel's entry held its ground through sensible pricing and a growing reputation for durability. The saloon and estate bodies dominated European showrooms, while buyers appreciated the straightforward engineering that meant fewer trips to the workshop than some rivals offered.
1980 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1980, Opel's compact saloon lineup offered buyers a choice between the 1.2-litre base engine and the more eager 1.6-litre unit producing 75 horsepower. Against rivals like the Golf and Escort, the Kadett held its ground through honest engineering and affordable running costs. The three-door and five-door bodies gave families flexibility without premium pricing.
1982 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1982, the third-generation Kadett arrived as Opel's answer to the Golf's dominance in the compact segment. Against the Escort and the emerging Fiesta, it offered straightforward engineering: four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 litres, with the top petrol unit delivering 75 hp. Dutch buyers found a practical saloon or coupé that promised reliability without pretensi
1983 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1983, the Kadett faced a crowded field of compact contenders in the Netherlands market, where Volkswagen and Ford held sway. Opel's response was a mid-cycle refresh that sharpened the car's appeal: a revised 1.3-litre engine producing 60 hp, improved interior trim, and updated exterior styling. Dutch buyers received reinforced underside protection and enhanced corrosion resi
1984 Opel Kadett Brochure
The 1984 Kadett arrived with a transverse 1.2-litre engine producing 60 horsepower, paired to a four-speed manual as standard across most markets. Its compact footprint and efficient packaging made it a direct answer to buyers seeking affordable, no-nonsense city motoring. The platform had proven itself in three years of European sales, and this model year refined the formula w
1990 Opel Kadett Brochure
By 1990, the Kadett had settled into a precise market niche: practical, affordable, built for buyers who valued reliability over flash. The Dutch market received the full range, from the 1.2-litre economy option through to the 1.6-litre five-door, each configured for Northern European weather and modest fuel budgets. Opel's strength lay in sensible engineering.
1977 Opel Kadett Aero Brochure
The 1977 Kadett Aero arrived as Opel's answer to buyers seeking more than basic transport. The range offered both a two-door saloon and a practical estate variant, each with its own appeal to different family needs. Engine choices ran from the economical 1.2-litre unit through to a 1.6-litre option producing 75 horsepower, allowing buyers to balance running costs against perfor
1987 Opel Kadett Cabrio Brochure
The 1987 Kadett Cabrio reached Dutch showrooms as a straightforward open-air answer to buyers wanting convertible freedom without premium pricing. Built on the E-series platform with a 1.3-litre engine delivering either 55 or 75 horsepower, it competed directly against the Golf Cabriolet by offering more affordable entry into the soft-top segment.
1991 Opel Kadett Cabrio Edition Brochure
The 1991 Kadett Cabrio Edition was powered by a transversely mounted 1.6-litre four-cylinder good for 75 hp, paired with a five-speed manual that made it a nimble proposition in congested urban markets. Buyers weighing it against the Golf Cabriolet found a lower entry price and simpler mechanical architecture—virtues that mattered when fuel costs remained volatile.
1966 Opel Kadett Caravan Brochure
In 1966, the Kadett Caravan reached markets across continental Europe as Opel's answer to buyers seeking family hauling capacity without German luxury pricing. The estate body stretched the A-series platform horizontally, offering genuine load space while keeping the 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine's modest output of around 50 hp sufficient for modest family duties. Left-hand-dr
1964 Opel Kadett Coupe Brochure
When Opel introduced the Kadett Coupé to European showrooms in 1964, it filled a gap between basic family transport and expensive sports cars. Buyers could choose from three petrol engines—the entry 1.0-litre with 55 hp, a 1.1-litre option, or the 1.5-litre 60 hp unit for those wanting livelier pace. The coupé body, with its distinctive roofline and shortened overhangs, positio
1977 Opel Kadett Coupe Brochure
By 1977, the Kadett Coupé faced stiff competition from the Golf GTI and the Escort RS, yet Opel's answer held its own through sheer practicality and lower running costs. The 1.6-litre engine producing 90 hp was modest but efficient, while the coupe body offered genuine appeal to buyers seeking style without the premium pricing of true sports cars. Dutch buyers especially apprec
1967 Opel Kadett Coupe & Rallye Brochure
When the Kadett Coupé arrived in 1967, it faced stiff competition from the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and the Fiat 850 Coupé, yet carved its own path with sharper styling and a more affordable price point. The Rallye variant emerged to challenge rally competitors, its 1.1-litre engine tuned for competition duty. Buyers who wanted sports appeal without the premium German badges fou
1967 Opel Kadett Fastback Brochure
In 1967, when the Fastback arrived, it entered a segment where the Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Cortina dominated European thinking about affordable motoring. Opel's fastback silhouette—with its distinctive sloping roofline and tapered rear—offered buyers a sportier visual identity without the mechanical complexity of rivals. The 1.1-litre engine produced 55 horsepower, enough fo
1986 Opel Kadett GSi Brochure
By 1986, the GSi arrived as Opel's answer to hot-hatch expectations: a transversely mounted 1.6-litre engine producing 100 horsepower paired with a five-speed gearbox. Against rivals like the Golf GTi, it offered a leaner, more nimble alternative that Dutch buyers could appreciate for its straightforward engineering and lower price point.
1987 Opel Kadett GSi Brochure
By 1987, the GSi arrived in European showrooms as Opel's direct riposte to the Golf GTI's dominance, powered by a transverse 1.6-litre engine producing 115 horsepower. Left-hand-drive markets received the sportier suspension tune and reinforced braking system as standard, positioning it as the affordable hot hatch for buyers who wanted performance without the VW price tag. The
1977 Opel Kadett Rallye Brochure
The Rallye's 1.6-litre engine, producing 75 horsepower, sat at the heart of Opel's answer to the hot hatchback hunger of the mid-1970s. Buyers weighing it against the Volkswagen Golf and Fiat 127 found a car that prioritised mechanical substance over flash: reinforced suspension geometry, a purposeful steering setup, and an interior stripped of unnecessary ornament. The formula
1981 Opel Kadett SR Brochure
When the SR arrived in 1981, Opel was repositioning the Kadett as a genuine contender against the Golf and Escort. The 75 hp 1.6-litre engine offered buyers a balance between fuel economy and performance that made sense in an era of rising petrol costs. Saloon, coupé, and estate bodies meant there was something for every family budget.
Frequently asked questions
How many documents are in the Opel Kadett archive?
The archive contains 22 original documents covering the Opel Kadett. This collection includes brochures, dealer catalogs, and press materials spanning decades of production. Together, these documents provide a comprehensive visual and textual record of the Kadett's evolution across multiple generations and markets.
What time period does the Kadett document collection cover?
The collection spans from 1964 to 1991, covering nearly three decades of Kadett production. While this broad timeframe is represented, individual years may have gaps in documentation. The materials capture the model's transformation through several generations and changing market conditions over this extended period.
Can these documents help with Kadett restoration projects?
Absolutely. Original catalogs and brochures are invaluable for restoration work. They document authentic colors, interior trims, and options specific to each production year. These materials help verify original specifications and guide accurate reconstruction of period-correct details. They complement but don't replace technical service manuals.
What regional markets are represented in the Kadett archive?
The collection documents four distinct regional markets and variants of the Kadett. This shows how Opel adapted the model for different countries and customer preferences. Regional differences appear in marketing materials, equipment levels, and naming conventions. This diversity makes the archive particularly valuable for international Kadett enthusiasts.
Which Kadett generations and variants are covered in the archive?
The archive includes the standard Kadett, Kadett Aero, Kadett Cabrio, Kadett Cabrio Edition, and Kadett Caravan. These variants represent Opel's strategy to expand the Kadett across different market segments. Each variant served distinct customer needs, from practical family cars to open-air and estate options.
How does this archive page differ from the Kadett catalog page?
The archive page focuses on the documents themselves—their significance, provenance, and research value. The catalog page describes the car's technical specifications and features. Here you explore the history of the source materials; there you learn about the vehicle's engineering and performance characteristics.
How frequently is the Kadett document collection updated?
The archive grows as new original documents are discovered and digitized. Update frequency depends on material availability. Visitors should check back regularly for newly added items. The current 22 documents form a solid foundation for Kadett research and continue to expand over time.