1943 Opel "Blitz" 3,6 Omnibus Cab | The National Military History Center | RM Sotheby's

Lot 180

The National Military History Center

1943 Opel "Blitz" 3,6 Omnibus Cab

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$20,000 USD | Sold

United States | Auburn, Indiana

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Identification No.
BR8W54537
Addendum: All military vehicles and artifacts offered in this sale are sold "As Is" and "For collector purposes only". These military vehicles and artifacts should never be loaded and/or fired with any ammunition. We make no warranty and/or representations as to the suitability or fitness of these items for use. By purchasing military vehicles and artifacts you hereby and irrevocably waive any and all claims against Auctions America by RM, Inc. and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Auctions America by RM, Inc. from any injuries or death associated with these military vehicles and artifacts. Please note, there may be an associated licensing fee based on the location of licensing, and bidder must satisfy himself as to all licensing and import requirements in his home state or country.

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Please note this is being sold on "Bill of Sale" only.

Manufacturer: Opel Division of General Motors, Germany

Production Year: 1943

Engine: Opel, 3.6-liter, 68-hp, six-cylinder, liquid-cooled, gasoline

Transmission: 5F1R

Brakes: Hydraulic

Length: 24-feet

Width: 7-feet, 10-inches

Height: 9-feet (to top of cargo area bonnet)

Weight: Approximately 3.6-tons

Armor: None

Armament: NONE on this example - Could be fitted with a 7.92-mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun

Maximum Speed: Approximately 50-mph

Wheelbase: 15-feet, 3-inches

Markings: German 16th Infantry Division, Supply Company

The Opel Blitz (Lightning) 3,6 with omnibus cab is a rare version of the 3-ton, 4x2 medium truck series. The long wheel-base chassis (15-feet, 3-inches) was originally produced for the so called “Wehrmacht (military) bus” with an enclosed omnibus-type body. It was later decided to utilize the chassis for a longer cargo bed version medium truck. The special omnibus cab was built at the Friedrich Rometschen plant in Berlin. Production of the Opel 4x2 3-ton series began in 1938 at the Opel Brandenburg / Havel plant under the direction of Heinz Nordhoff whom, after WW II, became head of Volkswagen. The 4x2 Opel Blitz 3-ton was one of the first standardized military truck models that was developed from guidelines established by the Schell-Program. In 1938, General Schell, Director of Motorization for the Wehrmacht (German military), proposed to cut back procurement of vehicles of all types to just a few standard chassis (from 113 to 30). Truck models were reduced to classes of 1, 1-1/2, 3, 4-1/2 and 6-1/2-tons, most with a basic 4x2 (S-Type) and a 4x4 (A-Type) version. The Opel Blitz 3-ton 4x2 Omnibus Cab version was only suited for road use. A total of 8,336 Omnibus Opels were built.

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