What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
Rekord – Commodore26 PDFs
Opel Rekord – Commodore
This collection brings together 26 dealer brochures of the Opel Rekord spanning three decades (1953–1984). The archive captures the model's evolution across six international markets, documenting all body variants: Rekord, Commodore, Commodore GS/E, Rekord Caravan, and Rekord Coupé. Original sales literature reveals engine options, trim levels, and design progression from the early 1950s through the 1980s. Essential for automotive historians, researchers, and enthusiasts tracing post-war European motoring.
Multi-marketMarket
26PDFs
1953–1984Production
19Model 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.
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Open a year to view details and download the brochure.
1973 Opel Commodore Brochure
The 1973 Commodore arrived with a 2.5-litre straight-six producing 150 bhp, positioned squarely against Jaguar's XJ and Triumph's 2000. Right-hand-drive versions for the UK market were less common than continental models, reflecting Opel's stronger footing in Europe. The engine sat longitudinally, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual or optional automatic.
1978 Opel Commodore Brochure
The 1978 Commodore carried a 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine rated at 150 horsepower, positioning it as a serious challenger to the Cortina and Ascona in the European executive segment. That year's refresh brought revised front-end styling and an updated interior that reflected Opel's engineering priorities: solid construction over flash. The platform proved durable enough to sus
1981 Opel Commodore Brochure
By 1981, the Commodore offered buyers a choice rarely seen in the mid-size class: a 2.5-litre six-cylinder in two power states—136 or 150 horsepower—alongside the proven four-cylinder option. The saloon and coupé body styles, each with distinct trim levels and upholstery choices, gave showroom visitors real breadth. German engineering met practical family transport.
1970 Opel Commodore GS/E Brochure
Beneath the fastback hood sat a 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower, paired with a three-speed automatic or four-speed manual transmission. This powertrain configuration gave the GS/E genuine performance credentials in a market where mid-size saloons competed on refinement as much as speed, and the Commodore held its own against comparable European rivals.
1953 Opel Rekord Brochure
In 1953, Opel's new Rekord arrived as German industry rebuilt, competing directly against the Borgward and Hanomag models that dominated the upper-middle segment. Its 1.5-litre engine, good for 40 horsepower, wasn't powerful by later standards, but offered the steady competence buyers expected. The roomy saloon body and reliable mechanics made it a sensible choice when German r
1957 Opel Rekord Brochure
When the Rekord arrived in 1957, it claimed the space between the humble Olympia and Opel's larger sedans, offering buyers a genuinely modern middle road at a time when German motoring was still finding its footing. The 1.5-litre engine producing 55 horsepower delivered adequate performance for the era's expectations, while the all-steel construction and wraparound side glazing
1958 Opel Rekord Brochure
As the 1958 Rekord arrived, it faced a crowded mid-size field where buyers weighed the Opel against the Volkswagen Beetle's practicality and the Borgward's ambition. The Rekord's 1.5-litre engine producing 55 horsepower offered a measured balance: not the most powerful, but solid and economical. Dutch buyers appreciated its straightforward engineering and reasonable price posit
1964 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1964, the Rekord arrived as Opel's answer to buyers seeking mid-range comfort without sacrificing practicality. The saloon dominated sales, but coupé and cabriolet variants proved that German family cars could wear sportier dress. A 1.9-litre engine good for 85 horsepower gave it enough pace to hold its own against the Ford Taunus and Volkswagen 1500. The market wanted subst
1968 Opel Rekord Brochure
The 1968 Rekord lineup offered buyers three body styles: the four-door saloon, the practical estate, and the two-door coupé, each with the same 1.9-litre engine good for 90 horsepower. Trim options ranged from the austere L through the better-equipped GL, giving middle-class families and fleet operators a genuine choice in how much comfort they wanted alongside dependable trans
1971 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1971, the Rekord arrived at a crossroads in the family-car market. Volkswagen's Golf was reshaping expectations around practicality, while Mercedes-Benz models commanded the prestige segment. Opel positioned the Rekord as the rational choice: a solidly engineered saloon with a 1.9-litre engine producing 100 horsepower, offering four-door comfort without pretension. Buyers se
1975 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1975, the Rekord lineup offered buyers a saloon, estate, and coupé – each sharing the same 1.9-litre engine good for 100 hp. The range catered to families seeking straightforward transport without excess, positioned against the Cortina and Bluebird abroad. Interior trim levels ranged from basic fleet spec to a more appointed variant with vinyl or cloth upholstery.
1976 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1976, the Rekord faced mounting pressure from the Golf and the Cortina, yet Opel's mid-range offering held its ground through sheer practicality. Buyers valued the spacious saloon body and the choice of engines—a 1.5-litre unit for economy, a 1.9-litre for those wanting real pace—without sacrificing everyday reliability. It was honest motoring in an era when German engineeri
1977 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1977, the Rekord faced stiff competition from the Cortina and the Passat, yet Opel's offering held its ground with refined engineering and practical appeal. The 1.9-litre engine produced 100 horsepower, enough to satisfy drivers who wanted substance over flash. British and American markets saw this generation as a credible, unpretentious choice.
1981 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1981, the Rekord's 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine produced 90 horsepower through a sturdy five-speed manual, positioning it squarely against the Ford Granada and Vauxhall Cavalier in the European mid-size segment. Buyers valued its roomy saloon body and trunk capacity over sportier rivals, while the available diesel option—a 2.1-litre unit offering 67 hp—appealed to fleet ma
1982 Opel Rekord Brochure
By 1982, the Rekord faced mounting pressure from the new Golf generation and Cortina rivals, yet Opel's saloon held firm with its spacious interior and 1.9-litre engine good for 85 horsepower. The brochure range for that year included both the standard saloon and estate variants, each offered across multiple trim levels to capture buyers seeking family practicality without prem
1984 Opel Rekord Brochure
In 1984, the Rekord faced stiff competition from the Golf and the emerging Japanese sedans, yet it held ground through sheer practicality. The 1.8-litre engine delivered adequate power without demanding premium fuel, while the spacious interior and proven reliability appealed to families and fleet buyers alike. Where rivals chased fashion, Opel offered substance.
1968 Opel Rekord & Kadett Caravan Brochure
The 1968 lineup offered both the compact Kadett Caravan and the larger Rekord as estate options, competing directly against the Morris 1100 and early Volkswagen variants across European markets. Buyers could choose between modest four-cylinder engines—the Kadett's 1.1-litre unit producing 55 horsepower, or the Rekord's 1.7-litre delivering up to 90. Front-wheel drive on both mo
1963 Opel Rekord Caravan Brochure
The 1963 Rekord Caravan arrived with a 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine producing 60 horsepower—modest power that suited the estate market of the early 1960s. Buyers in the Netherlands and Belgium found in this variant a practical answer to the saloon's space limitations, with engineering that prioritised durability over performance.
1963 Opel Rekord Coupe Brochure
When 1963 arrived, the Rekord Coupé offered buyers a two-door alternative in a market dominated by saloons and practical family cars. Its 1.7-litre engine produced 90 hp, giving it genuine performance for those seeking weekend thrills without the expense of imported sports cars. The coupe body, with its swept chrome trim and sculpted flanks, delivered character that four-door s
1966 Opel Rekord Coupe Brochure
In 1966, the Coupé arrived as Opel's answer to buyers seeking something beyond the mass-market sedan. While the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia dominated affordable coupe territory, Opel positioned this variant as more substantial—a genuine two-door with the 1.9-litre engine good for 90 horsepower, appealing to those wanting German engineering without the Porsche price tag.
1967 Opel Rekord Coupe & Sprint Brochure
The 1967 Rekord Coupé and Sprint arrived as two distinct expressions of the same mechanical foundation: a 1.9-litre engine good for 90 or 110 horsepower depending on tune. Buyers could choose between the sleeker coupé profile or the sportier Sprint variant, each offering different visual character within the same platform.
1972 Opel Rekord II Brochure
By 1972, the Rekord II catalogue offered buyers a choice that reflected the era's appetite for practical family motoring. The saloon dominated, but the estate variant appealed to those needing load space without sacrificing the mid-range comfort Opel had built its reputation on. A 1.9-litre engine producing 102 horsepower sat beneath a bonnet that opened wide for easy maintenan
1973 Opel Rekord II Brochure
By 1973, the Rekord II faced stiff competition from the Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Victor, yet its transversely mounted 1.9-litre engine, producing 100 hp, gave it a mechanical edge in refinement. The British market received the saloon and estate variants, both fitted with independent front suspension tuned for motorway comfort. Buyers appreciated the robust engineering and gene
1966 Opel Rekord Van Brochure
In 1966, the Rekord Van arrived as Opel's answer to British and French estate wagons gaining ground in European fleets. Against rivals like the Peugeot 404 and Morris Oxford Traveller, it offered more straightforward German engineering—a 1.9-litre four-cylinder producing 90 hp, paired with practical loadspace that made it attractive to small businesses and growing families alik
Frequently asked questions
How many documents are in the Opel Rekord archive?
The archive contains 26 original documents covering the Opel Rekord. The collection includes brochures, dealer catalogs, and press kits from multiple markets and production years. Together they provide comprehensive coverage from the first Rekord through the Commodore era.
What time period does the archive cover?
Documents span from 1953 to 1984, capturing over three decades of model development. All major generations are represented, from the classic Rekord through the Caravan and Coupe variants to the Commodore. Some years between major model changes may have gaps in coverage.
Can these documents help with restoration research?
Yes, the original catalogs and brochures are valuable for restoration projects. They show factory color palettes, equipment options, and technical details for each model year. Press releases particularly document changes and improvements between annual updates.
Which regional markets are represented in the collection?
The archive documents 6 different markets and their specific variants. The Rekord was offered in different configurations across various countries. The collection shows how Opel tailored the model to local requirements and preferences.
How does this archive page differ from the catalog page?
This page focuses on the documents themselves, not vehicle specifications. It documents which brochures, catalogs, and press materials are available. The catalog page instead presents technical data and equipment details of the car.
Which generations and variants are documented here?
The collection covers five main variants: Commodore, Commodore GS/E, Rekord, Rekord Caravan, and Rekord Coupe. Each variant is represented across multiple years. Together they trace the complete lineage from 1953 to 1984.
How frequently is the collection updated?
The archive grows regularly as new original documents are discovered and digitized. The current 26 documents represent the current holdings, but new finds are continuously added. Updates are integrated into the archive as materials become available.