1957 Opel Rekord Olympia

History and Background

The 1957 Opel Rekord Olympia represents an important period in Opel’s development as a manufacturer of passenger cars for the European middle class. The model’s origins date back to the Opel Olympia, which was introduced in 1935. At the time, this car was technically innovative due to its use of a monocoque body, with which Opel moved away from the traditional construction featuring a separate chassis. After World War II, production of the Olympia resumed, and the model continued to evolve into a key part of the Opel lineup.

In 1953, Opel introduced the Olympia Rekord, a new model distinguished by a body design with clear American influences. This was partly due to the close ties with General Motors, of which Opel had been a part since 1929. The Olympia Rekord featured a modern pontoon body, with the fenders largely integrated into the bodywork. The use of chrome trim and a wide grille also reflected the American design style of that period. The model underwent regular updates throughout its production run, with Opel making changes to the styling and detailing almost every year.

The 1957 Opel Rekord Olympia belongs to the final development phase of this first postwar Rekord generation. That year saw the introduction of the Olympia Rekord P1, recognizable by its panoramic windshield and modified body shape. By then, the earlier Olympia Rekord had become a commercially important model for Opel. Between 1953 and 1957, more than 580,000 units of the Olympia Rekord in its various versions were produced. The model thus played an important role in Opel’s growth in the Western European automotive market during the postwar reconstruction period.

Features and Details

The Opel Rekord Olympia is characterized by a conventional technical layout, with a front-mounted four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive. The original engine design was based on the technology of earlier Olympia generations and utilized a cast-iron engine block with overhead valves operated by pushrods. This design was in line with Opel’s philosophy at the time, in which existing technical solutions were further developed over multiple model generations. The combination of a monocoque body, independent front suspension, and a rigid rear axle was characteristic of the model.

A distinctive feature of the Olympia Rekord generation was the regular updating of bodywork details. As a result, models from successive model years can be distinguished from one another by features such as the grille, trim strips, and rear end.

This 1957 Opel Rekord Olympia is in running condition and is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine from a later-model Opel Rekord, featuring an automatic choke. The tailgate cannot currently be opened, and several parts are loose. The battery is defective, the car is a bit hard to start, and the idle speed needs to be adjusted.

Summary

This 1957 Opel Rekord Olympia exemplifies the evolution of the German mid-size car during the 1950s. The model combines a General Motors-influenced body design with the technical construction that Opel employed during this period. This example features a 2.0-liter engine from a later Opel Rekord and is in running condition, with a few technical and practical issues to address. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend that you attend the viewing day.

This car is being auctioned online by Classic Car Auctions.

This car is being offered in the online auction “Classics, Sports Cars, Youngtimers Uithoorn.” The car is available for viewing during the viewing days. The listed amount represents the lower end of the estimated value. Bidding starts at € 1,000.

Auction

Opening: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Closing: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 PM

Location

Anthony Fokkerweg 7
1422 AE Uithoorn
The Netherlands

Viewing Days

Friday, October 30 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 3 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

For more information about the auction, viewing days, and the full selection, visit www.classiccar-auctions.com.

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Transportation

After the auction, we can arrange transportation.

Within the Netherlands: € 250, excluding VAT.
Outside the Netherlands: transportation upon request.

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