1939 | Opel Olympia 1,5

Opel Olympia 1.5 – The Last Elegance Before the War

Some cars are just old. And some are witnesses of their time – like this 1939 Opel Olympia 1.5. Built in an era when men still slicked their hair, ironed their shirts, and a car was not merely transport, but a social statement.

The Olympia wasn’t just any pre-war Opel. It was innovation on wheels – the first German car with a self-supporting all-steel body. What sounds obvious today was revolutionary back then: lighter, stiffer, more forward-thinking.

History – Spared by the War, Hidden in a Cellar This Olympia returned to Germany from then-Czechoslovakia in 1991 – a true homecoming. After that, it disappeared for 35 years into a cellar deep in the Bavarian Forest. No shows, no spotlights – simply preserved like a fine red wine.

And the best part: the original Czech registration papers and keys are still there! How many Olympias can still claim that?

Mechanics – A Bit of Yesterday, but with Style Under the hood: a 1.5-litre OHV four-cylinder, good for around 37 hp. Sounds modest? Think again – in the 1930s, that was all you needed to cruise the countryside, and to do it in style.

This car is what collectors call a barn find with a story:

✅ Original papers & keys ✅ Unmolested original condition ✅ Sold as restoration project / parts donor

Mechanics: untested. Condition: more “adventure” than “everyday”. Structure: surprisingly complete, yet showing all the age you’d expect. Hidden flaws? Possible. Guarantees? None. This one’s for people with heart, not just a checklist.

Conclusion – More History than Car, More Car than Many Classics This Opel Olympia isn’t a used car. It’s a time capsule, a last flash of automotive grace before the darkness of war. Whoever buys it won’t just get a vehicle – but a ticket into the world of true old-car enthusiasts.

And if, at the next classic-car meet, you’d rather say “I’m saving history” instead of “I own a classic” – then this Olympia is your project.