The GM T-platform

In 1973 it was time for another new version, the Kadett C. Not so much larger as more up to date with better visibility.


Introduced mid-1973, the Kadett C was the third generation of the popular Kadett and they sold 1.7 million when it was discontinued in mid-1979. It was the last small Opel with RWD.



The home market was served well by the basic two-door saloon, for some export markets there was demand for a four-door so that was made as an 'export special'. There was also a three-door estate ('Caravan' in Opel terms) and a coupé.



In the UK the Vauxhall version was the Chevette. It succeeded the British-designed Viva and their locally-designed three-door hatch proved such a good match for Volkswagen's Golf that it was Kadett-ised too and sold as the Opel Kadett City (they actually imported the panels into Germany from the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, which explains the number plate holder under the rear bumper- that is where the Vauxhall has its plate, Opel puts it between the rear lights). The Vauxhall Chevette had a more modern, clean-looking nose.
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The Chevette continued when the new Astra (the Opel Kadett D) was already in production. German dealers even imported it for a while to serve conservative buyers who still wanted a RWD car, but it was named simply 'Chevette' without any mention of the name Vauxhall.

The combo of body shapes was completed by the Baur-converted Kadett Aero, which had a rollover bar with a removable targa roof and rear section like early 911 targas and the Lancia Beta. It was cumbersome and expensive, so few were made.


In 1977 the Kadett was slightly updated. The front indicators became wrap-around items outside the headlights instead of under the front bumper. The round headlights were swapped for square units and a 1.6 engine became optional. The Chevette got its update in 1979 with the addition of flush headlights and interior trim modifications.


Safety
The safety vehicle fad of the 1970s had Opel show the world what they could do, and as usual they made a car based on an existing model. That became the Kadett-based OSV 40, the car designed to survive a 40 km/h frontal collision. It featured soft-face front and rear sections, polurethane foam-filled outer panels, a strengthened roof, special seats and seat belts. Its front end inspired a few of the T-platform 'world cars'.


World car
GM became interested in economies of scale and introduced the Kadett C elsewhere under local names. Thus it became the Buick Opel (USA), Chevrolet Chevette (BRA), Daewoo Maepsy (ROK), Holden Gemini (AUS), Isuzu Gemini/I-mark (J), Saehan Gemini/Bird/Maepsy/Max (ROK), Opel K-180, GMC Chevette (ARG) and Vauxhall Chevette (UK).

Daewoo Maepsy


Isuzu I-mark with a diesel engine


Isuzu Gemini


Saehan Maepsy/Gemini/Bird/Max





Buick Opel



Chrevrolet Chevette, with a unique 5-door body


picture upload websites

Holden Gemini




Opel K-180

Very interesting, indeed!