Item Details

• Seller: flyingpork
• Location: New York City, New York 10013
• Lot #: M-0029973

Available for auction is a unique Opel Kadett dealership sign, believed to date to the late 1960s/early 1970s when General Motors launched the Opel Brand (more specifically, the Kadett small car), in the US. According to the seller, the sign is double-sided although only one side is illuminated. This sign was manufactured in the United States by the Dualite Products company out of Ohio and was acquired by the seller from a collector earlier this year. According to the collector, this particular sign came from a now-closed Buick/Opel dealership in southern Minnesota.



GM first brought the Opel brand to the United States in the late 1960s, and it represented an early experiment of bringing in non-US-made cars to be sold in this market. The Kadett was sold in the United States through Buick dealers from 1967 until 1972. In more recent times, the Kadett earned a new batch of popularity through the famous “Top Gear” program where host Richard Hammond famously drove one across Botswana as part of a show challenge - and he liked the car so much, he kept it and restored it afterward.



The sign features an outer steel case framing a double-sided sign face. On the top corner of the sign, labels from the manufacturer (Dualite Products Inc.), a “Union” manufacturing label, and an “Underwriters Laboratories” registration sticker are present. The electrical cord exits the sign through the top. The sign’s internal lighting is accessed by removing 4 screws on the bottom of the sign, then removing the bottom part of the frame, and sliding out the sign face. In each corner of the sign frame, hooks for chains are present so that this could be hung from a ceiling. 



One side of the sign features a plastic sign face, with a 3D relief of the “Opel” Logo and the word “Kadett.” The circle of the logo, and letters of the word “Kadett,” are raised off the translucent sign face. This side of the sign is backlit by four 24” T8 fluorescent lights. According to the seller, there are no cracks, missing pieces, or noteworthy scratches on this side of the sign.



The sign measures approximately 24" wide by 24" tall by 7" deep and weighs approximately 35 lbs. The other side of the sign is a printed (flat) metal signboard face. It is not illuminated. The face shows some patina consistent with its age, including scratches. The most significant scratch can be found in the lower-left corner of the sign by the letter “K.” It will come with a custom wooden crate for shipping. The buyer is responsible for shipping, handling, and fees. 

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Seller: flyingpork (other listings)

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