Description
The Opel Motorwagen System Lutzmann, produced from 1899 to 1902, was Opel’s first car and one of Germany’s earliest motor vehicles. The car was created in partnership with Friedrich Lutzmann, a German engineer and car designer, after Adam Opel’s sons purchased Lutzmann’s designs and factory to enter the emerging automobile market.
The Motorwagen System Lutzmann was powered by a single-cylinder engine, producing around 3.5 horsepower. This engine allowed the car to reach a top speed of approximately 20 km/h (12 mph), a respectable speed for the era. The vehicle used a chain-drive system to transfer power to the rear wheels, and braking was handled by a rudimentary hand lever.
The design of the Motorwagen System Lutzmann was based on the horseless carriage layout common at the time, with a high, open carriage body and large, spoked wheels. The driver and passengers were seated high off the ground, and steering was controlled by a tiller rather than a steering wheel. The car was built with a focus on durability, using quality materials and solid construction, but it was still limited in terms of comfort and amenities.
The Motorwagen System Lutzmann, although a notable milestone for Opel, faced tough competition from other early automotive manufacturers like Daimler and Benz. Opel discontinued the model in 1902 and went on to develop new, more advanced vehicles. Today, the Motorwagen System Lutzmann is celebrated as an important piece of Opel’s history and a valuable collector’s item, marking Opel’s entry into the world of automobile manufacturing.