Opel BlitzTruck History and Information
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The 1920s was a decade of expansion for the American firm of General
Motors (GM). In 1929, GM acquired the motor firm Adam Opel AG, based in Russelsheim,
Germany, and with it, one of the most well regarded manufacturing plants in
Europe.
In the early 1930s, Opel introduced a fast light truck it called the Opel Blitz
(lightning) and in 1935 opened the best and most modern truck factory in the
world in Brandenburg. Although light in weight, the Blitz design could carry
a considerable payload. A proven six-cylinder engine from another GM company,
Buick, provided the power.
The Blitz evolved over the decade. T
he
payload increased in steps from the original 1.75 tonnes (1.93 tons) to 2.5
tonnes (2.76 tons), and finally to the three tonnes (3.31 tons) that the S type
could transport cross-country.
German authorities were leery of Opel and did not entirely trust
its American management, but it coveted the company’s reliable, tough,
and easily maintained vehicles. To solve its dilemma, the German government
took control of the Opel factory in 1940. GM would only regain control in November
1948.
By war’s end, Opel factories had churned out over 100,000 Blitz trucks
alone for the German war effort. These took many different forms, such as general-purpose
trucks, buses, radio trucks, ambulances, and even large limousines for high-ranking
officers.
The Blitz proved far superior to any of its competitors. It could go where no other two-wheel drive vehicles could, it was the most reliable and toughest of all German trucks in its class, and, best of all, Opel’s excellent production facilities kept spares flowing that kept the Blitz going. The gasoline engines also provided an advantage – gasoline was easier to obtain than the diesel fuel required by other trucks. Studies carried out by German forces in regions such as North Africa and Russia gave the Blitz glowing reports while slighting vehicles such as the Mercedes and NSU.
The A type Blitz, a four-wheel-drive version, entered service in 1940 (over 25,000 built) and a half-track version entered production in 1942 as the Opel Maultier (mule). Approximately 4,000 Maultiers were built.
In the German Army the Opel Blitz was one of the most used 3-ton vehicles in use. The main body (undercarriage and cabin) where constructed for two types, the S-type a 2x4 version and the A-type a 4x4 version, there are only small differences in the body and undercarriage. The motor hood for the A-type is a little higher and has other side panels, and the under-carriage is modified for the front axle.
In the V2 Batterie the Opel Blitztruck had differed roles, from the open 'lorry'
type, as a tanker and with different closed bodies and even the half-track version
of the Blitz, the Maultier. The tankers and the Maultier where the S-type version.
The trucks with the closed cabins where almost all of the A-type.
Crew 1 Weight 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) Length 6.02 m (19.75 ft) Width 2.265 m (7.43 ft) Height 2.52 m (8.27 ft) Engine Opel six-cylinder, 3.626 L (221 cu in), Gears Five forward, one reverse Fuel capacity 82 L (21.7 US gal) gasoline Fuel
consumption 26 L/100 km (9.0 mpg) on road, Cross-country
speed 35 km/h (22 mph) Road
speed 85 km/h (53 mph)
68 hp (51 kW) @ 2,800 rpm
35 L/100 km (6.7 mpg) cross country
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 American 2.5 ton version (for comparison) |