CARCARETOOL VEHICLE GUIDE

Opel Kadett

Opel Kadett — 3- and 5-door hatchback; 2- and 4-door notchback saloon; 3- and 5-door wagon/estate (caravan); 3-door panel van, 1,074 cc sv I4. Explore engine specifications, fuel economy, dimensions, tire sizes, seating, maintenance and tire-pressure guidance.

Engine1,074 cc sv I4

Transmission3-speed manual

About the Opel Kadett

Opel Kadett is a 3- and 5-door hatchback; 2- and 4-door notchback saloon; 3- and 5-door wagon/estate (Caravan); 3-door panel van in the small family car (c) class. The available vehicle data lists 1,074 cc sv I4 as an engine configuration, paired with 3-speed manual and a Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1936–1979) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1979–1993) layout. Public source material describes the model in the context of its design, market positioning and vehicle history.

This Opel Kadett guide focuses on the details drivers commonly want to know, including engine information for 1,074 cc sv I4 and 3-speed manual transmission information. Exact specifications should be matched to the relevant model year and market.

Opel Kadett specifications at a glance

Use this table for the model-level essentials. Exact figures may vary by year, trim, engine and market.

Make	Opel
Model	Kadett
Model years	Not specified
Body style	3- and 5-door hatchback; 2- and 4-door notchback saloon; 3- and 5-door wagon/estate (Caravan); 3-door panel van
Vehicle class	Small family car (C)
Manufacturer	Opel
Production	1936–1940; 1962–1993
Market / country	ES, FI, GB, LU, NL, NZ, UA

Engine, transmission and performance

Engine information for the Opel Kadett includes 1,074 cc sv I4.. Transmission information includes 3-speed manual.. The listed drivetrain/layout is Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1936–1979) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1979–1993).

Engine	1,074 cc sv I4
Transmission	3-speed manual
Drivetrain / layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1936–1979) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1979–1993)

Dimensions, weight and practicality

Dimensions and capacity figures are presented as published source data when available.

Wheelbase	2337 mm (92.0 in)
Length	3765 –
Width	1375 mm (54.1 in)
Height	1455 –
Kerb / curb weight	757 kg (1,669 lb)

Opel Kadett other specifications

Image	File:Opel Kadett B 4-door at Schaffen-Diest Fly-drive 2013.JPG
Name	Opel Kadett
Caption	Opel Kadett Spezial (K38) "Cabrio-Limousine" (1939)
Aka	Vauxhall Astra (United Kingdom), Bedford Astra (Van)

Opel Kadett generations and model years

Where a source covers multiple generations, CarCareTool selects the generation(s) that best match this catalog model instead of mixing unrelated variants.

Generation / scope	Years	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain
Opel Kadett	1936–1940; 1962–1993	Not specified	Not specified	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1936–1979) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1979–1993)
Kadett I	1936–1940	1,074 cc sv I4	3-speed manual	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Kadett A	1962–1965	993 cc ''Opel OHV'' OHV I4	Not specified	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Kadett B	1965–1973	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Kadett C	1973–1979	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Kadett D	1979–1984	'''Petrol:'''; 1.0 L ''Opel OHV'' I4; 1.2 L ''Opel OHV'' I4; 1.3 L ''Family 1'' I4; 1.6 L ''Family II'' I4; 1.8 L ''Family II'' I4; '''Diesel:'''; 1.6 L ''Family II'' I4	4/5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive

Opel Kadett features and equipment

Features shown below are tied to the available source material for this model. Equipment can vary by year, trim and market.

Standard or documented features

✓The grille was restyled for 1938

✓The body resembled that of the existing larger Opel Olympia and its silhouette reflected the "streamlining" tendencies of the time

✓The brakes were now controlled using a hydraulic mechanism

✓The General Motors version, which had been further developed by Opel's North American parent, was intended to provide a soft ride, but there was some criticism that handling and road-holding were compromised

✓especially when the system was applied to small lightweight cars such as the Kadett

✓Competitive pricing led to commercial success, and Kadetts continued to be produced during the early months of the war: by the time production ended in May 1940, following the intensification of World War II, 106,608 of these Opel Kadetts were produced on the assembly line at Opel's Rüsselsheim plant, which had been the first major car plant in Germany to apply the assembly-line techniques pioneered by Henry Ford

TIRE PRESSURE

Recommended tire pressure for Opel Kadett

Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. CarCareTool estimates are clearly labelled when an exact verified value is unavailable.

Normal load32 PSI front30 PSI rear

Fully loaded34 PSI front33 PSI rear

Load condition	Front	Rear	Status
Normal	32 PSI	30 PSI	Estimate
Fully loaded	34 PSI	33 PSI	Estimate

Calculate how much air to add

Frequently asked questions about Opel Kadett

These FAQs are generated automatically for this specific vehicle from the specifications, features and ownership data available in CarCareTool. Questions are selected by relevance so the page focuses on details that can actually be answered for this model.

What engine does the Opel Kadett have?

The available source data lists the Opel Kadett engine as 1,074 cc sv I4. Engine availability can differ by model year and market.

What tire pressure should I use for the Opel Kadett?

For the correct setting, use the cold inflation pressure on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual. When CarCareTool does not have a verified configuration-specific value, its starting estimate is 32 PSI front and 30 PSI rear for normal load. This is an estimate, not an OEM recommendation.

What is the best engine oil for the Opel Kadett?

There is no single best engine oil for every Opel Kadett configuration. Use the viscosity grade and manufacturer approval specified for the exact engine in the owner’s manual.

What body style is the Opel Kadett?

The Opel Kadett is classified as a 3- and 5-door hatchback; 2- and 4-door notchback saloon; 3- and 5-door wagon/estate (Caravan); 3-door panel van.

What are the dimensions of the Opel Kadett?

The available source data lists length 3765 –, width 1375 mm (54.1 in), height 1455 –, and wheelbase 2337 mm (92.0 in).

What transmission does the Opel Kadett have?

The available source data lists 3-speed manual transmission options for the Opel Kadett.

Is the Opel Kadett FWD, RWD or AWD?

The listed drivetrain/layout for the Opel Kadett is Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1936–1979) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1979–1993).

Who makes the Opel Kadett?

The manufacturer listed for the Opel Kadett is Opel.

When was the Opel Kadett produced?

The available source data describes production as 1936–1940; 1962–1993.

How much does the Opel Kadett weigh?

The available source data lists a kerb/curb weight of 757 kg (1,669 lb). Actual weight can vary with engine, trim and equipment.

Where was the Opel Kadett built?

The available source record lists assembly information as Germany: Rüsselsheim.

What class of car is the Opel Kadett?

The Opel Kadett is listed in the Small family car (C) class.

What platform does the Opel Kadett use?

The available source data lists the platform/chassis as T-platform.

Which markets or countries sold the Opel Kadett?

The CarCareTool catalog currently associates the Opel Kadett with ES, FI, GB, LU, NL, NZ, UA. Market availability and specifications can differ.

What came after the Opel Kadett?

The available vehicle data lists Opel Astra as a successor where applicable.

What replaced the Opel Kadett?

The available vehicle data lists Opel Astra as the successor where applicable.

What cars are related to the Opel Kadett?

The available source data identifies related models as Moskvitch 400/420. Relationships can vary by market and generation.

How often should I check the tire pressure on the Opel Kadett?

Check the tires regularly and before long trips, with the tires cold. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual as the source of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Should I use the tire sidewall pressure for the Opel Kadett?

No. The maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall is not automatically the vehicle’s recommended setting. Use the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the correct cold inflation pressure.

Does the recommended tire pressure change when the Opel Kadett is fully loaded?

It can. Many vehicles specify a different cold pressure for heavier loads. Check the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the exact loading condition.

Data sources and verification are available in the page editor; exact specifications can vary by year, market, trim and engine.

Opel Kadett images

Vehicle images are shown from the stored source image records when available.