For Sale: 1964 Opel KAD in Mesa, Arizona

The 1964 Opel Kadett is a car of small size but a mighty character. After all, this is the same generation car as Richard Hammond's beloved Oliver. And this car has an electric personality... literally. This lightweight classic has been turned into a well-done electric vehicle (EV). And while you're more likely to find a Kadett imported from elsewhere (it was popular but not in the USA) this little red runabout also comes with a nice full-American history file. It was sold new in Georgia, and it still carries the Buick/Opel deal tag on the rear. And it was then sent to the desirable Arizona climate where it has spent the majority of its life thus far. When it came time to invest in this Opel, it wasn't just the EV upgrades. As you look at the whole package, you'll see nice updates to the two-tone interior, suspension, and more. So when a classic car is modernized this way, it's a terrific way to look vintage while looking ahead to the future.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Powered by a 144V 250A electric motor
*Direct-drive transmission means smooth delivery with no shifting
*Regenerative braking to recharge batteries
*Exterior styling reminiscent of a fintail Mercedes
*Sharp-looking custom two-tone interior
*Very vintage stock dash
*Custom lower dash with EV system readouts
*Dealer invoice
*Owner's manual
*Service manuals
*Decades of maintenance records

An Opel Kadett is a great idea for an electric car. The few that came to the USA never made much of a splash. It was underpowered because it made about as much horsepower as the Beetle but without the big benefits of the motor over the driving wheels. But upgrading to electric power completely rectifies that. It has the instant torque that makes this a ton of fun (call it a Kadett Kart?) Plus, there's nimble handling and even upgrades like Ridetech rear coilovers. This even features a regenerative braking system that both slows and charges the car. So you can basically practice the same one-pedal driving as brand new EVs. So this has the look and feel of a true classic, but now with plenty of extra power to truly upgrade the fun. Who says it's not easy being green?