Opel Rekord Reviews

Air condioner needed to be regassed at 106000, never worked properly.

L/H exhaust manifold cracked at 153000.

Crank pulley replaced at 173000 km.

Very torquey from low revs all the way to 5000 RPM.

Interior still in excellent condition, no marks or cracks on leather seats, carpets still like new, interior can definitely withstand time and weather. Paintwork still good, full of stone chips though.

It's a vehicle that is a pleasure to own, thirsty when driven hard, but handles well. I fitted 205/65/15 tyres that improved the economy, and the speedometer is now only 2 km out. Will not easily get rid of this vehicle. LOVE IT TO BITS.

Manifold gasket kept blowing even after being skimmed and would only last for 1500kms. Now that I replaced the manifold, it seems fine and hopefully not just time being.

I believe that it is fitted with and original carburetor. I experience that the vehicle does surge on pull away.

My Rekord is still badged as a Chevrolet. It belonged to an old lady who drove really little. After 28 years it only has 91 000km on the clock. I could not believe my eyes when I went to inspect the vehicle. It even still had the original blue water pump fitted when I bought it.

The car is mostly still in original condition and the back seat hardly sat on... No not for that!

I have received numerous offers on the car and am wanting to keep it though for sentimental reasons.

Apart from normal wear (brakes, clutch, shocks etc.), the only major problem was a leaky fuel tank because of serious corrosion.

Rust is also a problem at the body, but it is manageable when you don't wait too long.

This was one of the best-selling cars in Europe in the late 70s and early 80s, because of its many virtues:

It wasn't expensive, neither in purchasing nor in maintenance (and it still isn't).

It is very roomy and comfortable.

With the top engine (110 hp), it really was a fast car.

It was available in many different versions from basic and simple to luxurious or sporty (in Germany even a version for hunters or forest wardens was available)

Although its overall appearance is hardly modern, it still has a rather timeless look (most people estimate the age of my car at 10 to 12 years, while in fact it is 28 years old!)

There is another review on this site for the Rekord 3.8 GSI manual. I have to agree that the first things that went on this car was the pick up sensor behind the crankshaft pulley.

Shortly afterwards the crank pulley itself packed up at about 170 000km. Apparently this is the normal distance you travel before it packs up.

I have already replaced my tensioner pulley and a water pump at approx 180 000km.

The most expensive replace was the ECC which got wet during the raining reason in 2004. The water leaked through the bottom part of the windscreen ran down the wiring loom into the ECU. I had that leak sorted out before I replaced the ECU of course. Except for fuel and tyres that is all I have replaced on the car so far.

Part are generally very expensive and hard to find.

Many of the body parts have already been discontinued.

The torque this beast has is great. It was voted SA tow car of the year 1992 and I can agree.

The automatic version has an unbelievable acceleration too. Car test shows that it was faster to 100 than the manual version.

Being quite heavy it handles nicely on the road especially after I fitted 17" wheels on it.

Seats are still in good order.

Air con blower very weak as I never feel any cold air.

Very spacious inside.