January 21, 1862 – Opel is founded
At the time of Opel's founding on this day in 1862 by Adam Opel, the business manufactured sewing machines in a cow shed. The business remained there until 1888, when bicycles became a part of their production catalog. After Adam’s passing in 1895, his sons took over the business. They soon created a partnership with a locksmith named Friedrich Lutzmann who had been working on automobile designs. Their relationship led to the development of the first Opel vehicles in 1899.
above: Opel Patent Motor Wagen circa 1899. Top: Opel GT (red) with a 1974 VW Karmann Ghia
The cars were a hardsell to local consumers, resulting in the partnership dissolving. In 1901 the brothers signed a licensing agreement with Automobiles Darracq France to produce cars with Opel bodies on a Darracq chassi...
