Automotive races are among the most surefire ways to unite the global enthusiast community in a shared hub of high-speed thrills. One such event is the Rallye Monte-Carlo, the world’s oldest rally, which remains active to this day. Founded in 1911 by Prince Albert I, the rally was meant to show off the improvements and innovations of automobiles of the day and promote Monaco as a tourist resort.
Image courtesy of caroseryjni.pl
Given its worldwide appeal, the Rallye Monte-Carlo attracted entrants from across the globe, each seeking to prove their mettle and bring glory to their home country. During the rally’s 1939 running, well-known Polish driver Tadeusz “Tadek” Marek participated with his pilot Witold Pajewski driving an Opel Olympia OL38. Marek would later go on to develop the alloy straight six-cylinder engine used in the Aston Martin DBR2 race car. The duo started from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and finished 5th place in their group.
Sometime next year, Sławomir Poros Jr. of the Polish automotive history website Tejsted along with team Śniadanie & Gablota aims to replicate Marek’s journey with Monte Carlo Tribute 1939. The team aims to use a similar 1939 Opel Olympia OL38, given that the original was likely lost during the war. Their example is a numbers-matching in near original condition, an astonishing feat considering the car is 85 years old. Period-correct modifications based on the picture of Marek at the start of the Rallye will include a similar spotlight and a windshield heater.
The Opel Olympia was a groundbreaking automobile for Germany. It was the first mass-produced unibody car, reducing its weight by ~400 lb (180 kg). Gone were the wood framing techniques of yore, replaced by sheet steel fastened together by spot welding.
From 1935 to 1937 the Olympia had a 1.3 L four-cylinder engine putting out around 24 hp with a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). 1937 saw the introduction of the OL38 which was powered by a new 1.5 L four-cylinder engine with overhead valves and around 37 horsepower. Top speed increased accordingly to 70 mph (112 km/h). The Olympia OL38 was produced until 1940 when the start of World War II halted its production until 1950. Between 1935 and 1940, over 168,000 units were built.
Polish racing history often flies under the radar when discussions about vintage races take place. It’s refreshing to see a group so dedicated to raising public awareness about the men and women who made a mark on the sport’s history in such a significant way. If you wish to be a part of this journey, hit up Sławomir Poros Jr. at kontakt@sniadaniegablota.pl.
Images below courtesy of Maciej Jasinski
