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Airflow influence: Opel Admiral


sser2

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As we know, the Airflow wasn't commercial success. However, it influenced design of few cars from other manufacturers, most notably Toyota AA and Volvo P36 Carioca. Yet another influence was 1938 Opel Admiral. It used waterfall radiator grill, integrated oval headlights, and two-piece windshield. It is clear that designers, while being inspired by the Airflow, tried to overcome its clumsiness by moderating Airflow's radical design features. Radiator grille to hood transition is more conventional, and headlights are positioned higher.

 

Unlike the Airflow, the Admiral had standard body-on-frame construction. It was produced for only one year - due to misfortune of sharing its 6 cylinder engine with Opel truck. 1938 was the year WW2 started.

Airflow-Admiral.jpg

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Just a slight data correction / supplement:

The Opel Amiral has been produced from 1937 - 39.

In the short period of production it had a pretty respectable market share. Even in competition to high class section like Maybach (which formerly was produced in the company location where I am working for). End of production reason was indeed the beginning of WW 2 which was in Sept. 1939. The engine of the Admiral was needed for military trucks then ...

 

Anyway, you are right, the influence of some less successful designs often can be seen on later models of other manufacturers which had more success then.

 

 

Maybe something for the OT (off topic) section ?

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