Goodbye Legend: Erhard Schnell, Opel Designer, Dies Aged 92

• Designer of Opel Experimental GT and Opel GT production car
• Headed Rüsselsheim Advanced Design Studio from 1964
• Also gave Opel Calibra its wind-cheating shape

Erhard Schnell, Opel Designer, Dies Aged 92

Erhard Schnell died last weekend in Trebur, Hesse. Father of the Opel GT was 92. He remained closely associated with Opel until the last and was present at many events. In 2018, the designer celebrated 50 years of the Opel GT with classic car fans from all over the world at the Hockenheimring. Born in Frankfurt, Schnell was famous for his sense of humour, which also appeared in his mischievous cartoons.

Born in 1927, Erhard Schnell studied commercial graphics in Offenbach before his career as a designer. In 1952, he started working as a designer at Opel. As a passionate graphic artist, he was always proud to have designed the curved lettering of the Opel Kapitän and Rekord. In 1961, he perfected his design skills at the GM Tech Center in Detroit.

In 1962, he began developing the first concept car from a European automobile manufacturer. His ideas took shape in the “Opel Styling Studio” opened in Rüsselsheim in 1964. Experimental GT emerged and its dynamic silhouette acquired the soubriquet "Coke Bottle Shape". The Experimental GT celebrated its world premiere at the IAA in 1965, and only three years later the production Opel GT rolled off the assembly line. Father of the Opel GT was thrilled with his big hit, whose sleek lines resembled those of the contemporary Corvette.

Opel GT

Schnell later gave shape to the first generation of the Opel Corsa and developed the form of the ultra-aerodynamic Opel Calibra. “My favourite car”, said Schnell about the cult coupé, “a new, modern design language. I had complete freedom with the styling.”

Opel Calibra

Erhard Schnell refused to retire even after he left Opel in 1992. In 2014, when asked if he would finally put his pen down, the designer replied “Not at all. I simply transferred my work to my home and designed the garden or my house. I also often paint in watercolours. I will never be able to stay away from it completely. ”

!NEW! Opel Has Reinvented Itself: A First Glimpse of the GT Concept

World premiere in Geneva: Concept sportscar follows tradition of Opel Experimental GT 

A new short video, a preview of an upcoming world premiere – a breathtaking and at the same time puristic looking sportscar. Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann opens the door to the future for just a short moment and says: “Opel has reinvented itself. Don’t miss what happens next.” He is referring to the Opel GT Concept that will be on display in all its beauty for the first time at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 3 to 13, 2016).

Homage: The central dual exhaust with the logo of the new Opel GT Concept is reminiscent of the legendary 1965 Opel Experimental GT. 

The video and the first photograph showing the central double exhaust already illustrate reminiscences of two avant-garde models from the company’s long history – without any trace of retro design. The red front tire of the Opel GT Concept, visible for an instant, pays homage to the Opel motorcycle Motoclub 500. It was futuristic when it appeared with two red tires in 1928. 

1928: Opel Motoclub 500 (photo: P.H. Louw / Wikipedia)

2016: Opel GT Concept

The two tailpipes with the GT logo in the middle also allude to a design icon: In 1965, Opel presented the avant-garde Experimental GT at the Frankfurt Motor Show – the first concept car ever devised by a European car manufacturer. Opel Experimental GT was already an ultra-modern coupé with a sculptural shape – absolutely clear, minimalistic while also being exciting and uncompromising. The same philosophy now defines the design of the new Opel GT Concept.