Rare Opel “Moonlight Roadster” with six-cylinder engine, European registration and Swedish history.
This 1933 Opel 1.8 Liter “Moonlight Roadster” is considered one of the rarest open Opel models of the pre-war era. The sporty two-seater is based on the Opel 1.8 Liter but was fitted with a bespoke roadster body by the coachbuilder Deutsch in Cologne. According to various sources, only 51 examples were produced, of which probably only three survive today. The vehicle offered here comes from Sweden, carries European registration documents and presents itself in running and driving condition with a highly authentic appearance.
At the beginning of the 1930s, Opel was at the height of its industrial development and was regarded as one of Europe’s most modern automobile manufacturers. With the Opel 1.8 Liter, the company from Rüsselsheim offered a technically solid and comparatively comfortable vehicle distinguished by its reliability and advanced engineering for the period.
The so-called “Moonlight Roadster” was introduced in 1933 as a particularly elegant and sporty variant based on the Opel 1.8 Liter. Unlike the standard cabriolet, the roadster featured a sharply raked windshield, delicate wire-spoke wheels and a significantly more dynamic body design. The bodywork was not built directly by Opel, but by the renowned coachbuilder Deutsch in Cologne — a distinction that further emphasizes the exclusive character of the model.
The car was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine with approximately 1.8 liters of displacement and an output of around 34 horsepower. With a vehicle weight of only about 900 kilograms, this allowed for a top speed of approximately 95 km/h — a highly respectable figure for the early 1930s.
According to period stories, the now commonly used nickname “Moonlight Roadster” supposedly referred to American bootleggers who could allegedly slip beneath truck-mounted roadblocks at night using low roadsters of this type. Whether this story can be historically verified remains uncertain — but it has long since become part of the fascinating mythology surrounding this rare Opel model.
The vehicle presents itself in an overall very well-kept and harmonious condition. The elegant roadster body with its low silhouette and classic proportions appears exceptionally balanced. According to the seller, the car was repainted several years ago. The paintwork shows minor age-related signs of use and does not claim perfect concours quality, yet it underlines the vehicle’s authentic character. Overall, the Opel leaves a very charming and well-maintained impression.
No detailed information about the interior is currently available. According to the seller, the vehicle is generally in very good condition. In particular, the minimalist open-roadster configuration conveys the immediate pre-war atmosphere that makes vehicles of this era so appealing today.
The Opel is described as fully functional and ready to drive. According to the seller, the vehicle has also been comprehensively inspected. More detailed information regarding possible engine or mechanical restoration work is currently unavailable. Interested parties are advised to assess the technical condition themselves during an inspection or test drive.
The vehicle was imported from Sweden and comes with European registration documents. Further information regarding ownership history or previous restoration work is currently unavailable. Due to the extremely low production numbers, every surviving example of the Moonlight Roadster carries significant collector value.
European registration documents are included. Information regarding additional documentation, reports or restoration records is currently unavailable.
The Opel 1.8 Liter “Moonlight Roadster” is one of the most extraordinary German roadsters of the early 1930s. The combination of its rare coachbuilt body, refined six-cylinder engine and extremely limited production numbers makes this model a true rarity among pre-war automobiles today.
The example offered here stands out above all through its authentic appearance and evident usability. Precisely because the car does not appear over-restored, but rather like a carefully preserved historic automobile with a lived history, it reveals its unique charm. For collectors of German pre-war classics, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire what is likely one of the most exclusive Opel models of its era.
Some cars look fast even when standing still — and this Opel achieves exactly that effortlessly. The low windshield, long fenders and narrow body give the car an almost American presence, despite being deeply rooted in German automotive history. Particularly fascinating is the blend of elegance and lightness. This roadster recalls a time when driving still meant adventure and country roads mattered more than motorways.
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