Opel Admiral

Opel Admiral: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Opel Admiral choice depends chiefly on whether you want the distinctive Cabrio of the 1937–1939 first generation, the broad engine range of the 1964–1968 Sedan, or the many 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT alternatives offered by the 1969–1978 Sedan. The catalogue contains three generations and 17 versions: one first-generation version, four second-generation versions, and 12 third-generation versions.

The Opel Admiral choice depends chiefly on whether you want the distinctive Cabrio of the 1937–1939 first generation, the broad engine range of the 1964–1968 Sedan, or the many 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT alternatives offered by the 1969–1978 Sedan. The catalogue contains three generations and 17 versions: one first-generation version, four second-generation versions, and 12 third-generation versions. The second generation provides the widest mechanical spread, from a 100 hp 2.6 MT to a 230 hp 5.4 AT, while the third generation concentrates on 2,800 cc engines with outputs from 129 to 165 hp. Prices, sale listings, reliability, and problem data are not measured, so the comparison below is based solely on specifications and performance.

Opel Admiral generations: what changed?

The first generation, produced from 1937 to 1939, is represented by one Cabrio version: the 3.6 MT. Its 3,626 cc Gasoline engine develops 86 hp, or about 23.7 hp per litre, and is paired with a 3-speed Manual transmission and RWD. Acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption, tank capacity, ground clearance, wheel sizes, kerb weight, and gross weight are not measured.

The second generation ran from 1964 to 1968 and changed the listed body style to Sedan. Its four versions create the catalogue’s clearest progression: the 2.6 MT has 100 hp, the 2.8 MT has 125 hp, the 4.6 AT has 190 hp, and the 5.4 AT has 230 hp. All use Gasoline, RWD, carburetors, and no boost. The smaller engines are Inline 6-cylinder units with 4-speed Manual gearboxes; the larger engines are V-shaped 8-cylinder units with 2-speed Automatic gearboxes. Compared with the first generation’s 86 hp, even the second-generation 2.6 MT adds 14 hp, while the 5.4 AT adds 144 hp.

The third generation was offered from 1969 to 1978 as a Sedan with 12 versions. Every listed version has a 2,800 cc Gasoline, Inline 6-cylinder engine, no boost, RWD, 150 mm of ground clearance, and an 80-litre tank. Buyers choose between the 2.8 MT with a 4-speed Manual gearbox and the 2.8 AT with a 3-speed Automatic gearbox. Because identical version names recur, they must be distinguished by output: 129, 132, 140, 146, 160, or 165 hp.

Opel Admiral engine and specs

Power per litre helps separate engines with similar names. The second-generation 2.6 MT produces about 38.4 hp per litre, while the 2.8 MT produces about 44.9 hp per litre. The 4.6 AT reaches about 41.0 hp per litre, and the 5.4 AT about 43.0 hp per litre. In the third generation, the identical 2,800 cc displacement makes the comparison direct: outputs range from about 46.1 hp per litre for the 129 hp versions to about 58.9 hp per litre for the 165 hp versions. Kerb weight is not measured for any version, so weight per horsepower cannot be calculated.

Performance and economy: acceleration, top speed, and mpg

The first-generation 3.6 MT has no measured 0–100 km/h time or top speed. Fuel consumption is also not measured.

Among second-generation cars, performance improves with engine output. The 2.6 MT reaches 100 km/h in 16 seconds and has a 156 km/h top speed. The 2.8 MT cuts 2 seconds from that time, recording 14 seconds, and adds 14 km/h for a 170 km/h maximum. The 4.6 AT records 11 seconds and 198 km/h, making it 3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 28 km/h faster than the 2.8 MT. The 5.4 AT records 10 seconds and 200 km/h, improving on the 4.6 AT by 1 second and 2 km/h. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for all four versions, so no mpg comparison is possible.

In the third generation, the 129 hp and 132 hp 2.8 MT versions each record 12.5 seconds and 175 km/h. Their 2.8 AT counterparts each take 13 seconds and reach 170 km/h, leaving the Manual versions 0.5 seconds quicker and 5 km/h faster.

The 140 hp and 146 hp 2.8 MT versions each record 11.5 seconds and 185 km/h. Their matching 2.8 AT versions take 12.5 seconds and reach 177 km/h, so the Manual advantage is 1 second in acceleration and 8 km/h in maximum speed.

At 160 hp, both transmissions record 11.5 seconds. The 2.8 MT reaches 190 km/h, 5 km/h more than the 185 km/h 2.8 AT. The 165 hp versions repeat this pattern: 11.5 seconds for both, with 190 km/h for the 2.8 MT and 185 km/h for the 2.8 AT. Fuel consumption is not measured for any third-generation version, so neither mpg nor the economy cost of choosing more power can be stated.

Opel Admiral dimensions and weight

Exterior dimensions are not measured for any Opel Admiral generation in the supplied data. Kerb weight, gross weight, and wheel sizes are also not measured for every version, which means size-to-weight and weight-to-power comparisons cannot be made.

Ground clearance is not measured for the first- and second-generation versions. Every third-generation 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT lists 150 mm of ground clearance. Tank capacity is not measured for the first two generations; all third-generation versions have an 80-litre tank.

The first-generation 3.6 MT has Independent, spring front suspension, Dependent, leaf spring rear suspension, and Drum brakes at both ends. Second-generation versions retain Independent, spring front suspension and Dependent, leaf spring rear suspension, but combine Disc front brakes with Drum rear brakes. Third-generation versions list Independent, spring front suspension and Disc front brakes; rear suspension and rear brake specifications are not measured.

Opel Admiral problems and reliability

Problems, maintenance history, parts availability, and reliability are not measured in the data. No version can therefore be called more reliable, easier to maintain, or cheaper to own. Listings for an Opel Admiral for sale, including an Opel Admiral V8 for sale, are also outside this comparison because price, condition, and market availability are not measured.

Which Opel Admiral version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 3.6 MT only when the 1937–1939 Cabrio body and its particular specification are the priority. It is the sole Cabrio in the catalogue and the only first-generation choice, but its 86 hp is the lowest listed output and its acceleration and top speed are not measured.

Within the second generation, the 2.6 MT is the lowest-output choice at 100 hp and 181 Nm. The 2.8 MT adds 25 hp and 25 Nm while reducing the 0–100 km/h time by 2 seconds and raising top speed by 14 km/h. On the measured figures, that makes the 2.8 MT the stronger Inline 6-cylinder, Manual alternative.

Choose the 4.6 AT if you want a second-generation V-shaped 8-cylinder engine without moving to the largest displacement. Against the 2.8 MT, it adds 65 hp and 141 Nm, shortens acceleration by 3 seconds, and adds 28 km/h to top speed. The 5.4 AT is the outright performance choice: compared with the 4.6 AT, its additional 716 cc brings 40 hp and 80 Nm, while acceleration improves by 1 second and top speed by 2 km/h. Whether those gains justify any extra purchase or running cost cannot be determined because prices and fuel consumption are not measured.

For the third generation, the 2.8 MT with 165 hp is the specification-led choice. It has 36 hp more than the 129 hp 2.8 MT and reaches 190 km/h instead of 175 km/h, while acceleration improves from 12.5 to 11.5 seconds. The 160 hp 2.8 MT records the same 11.5-second acceleration and 190 km/h top speed, however, so the extra 5 hp of the 165 hp version produces no measured performance advantage here.

If an Automatic transmission is essential, the 160 hp and 165 hp 2.8 AT versions share the best measured third-generation Automatic performance: 11.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 185 km/h. The 165 hp car adds 5 hp but no measured acceleration or top-speed gain over the 160 hp car. Without price, economy, or reliability figures, the 160 hp 2.8 AT is therefore the most power-efficient Automatic choice on the published performance numbers, while the 165 hp 2.8 AT is the maximum-output choice.

Overall, the 5.4 AT supplies the catalogue’s highest output, greatest measured torque, quickest acceleration, and highest top speed. The third-generation 2.8 MT with 160 hp delivers the same measured performance as the 165 hp 2.8 MT, making it the clearest numerical sweet spot among the later Manual cars. For a later Automatic, the equivalent sweet spot is the 2.8 AT with 160 hp, because the 165 hp version records the same acceleration and top speed.