The shark figure hidden in the cockpits of Opel cars shows itself in almost every model. This cult signature seems to continue in new models as well.
Everyone is curious about this detail, which is not overlooked by many users. Does it have any meaning or is it just a drawn and cult symbol, let’s examine it together.
When we look at the history of the Opel brand, this symbol occupies a very important place.
While Opel’s flagships Kadett, Admiral and Kapitän in the past pleased automobile lovers with their unique designs, it also showed the brand’s maritime bond. Creatures below the sea surface also occasionally appeared in Opel’s designs.
In 1970, the sporty couple model Manta proudly carried the stingray-shaped logo.
Designers, who attach great importance to the design of this characteristic logo that integrates with Manta, have been interested in the shark logo for more than 15 years. Karim Giordimaina, the design director, expressed this with the words “It all started 17 years ago and it has become a true cult”.
Was the shark actually a kid’s idea?
One Sunday in 2004, Opel designer Dietmar Finger was drawing a design for the new model Corsa. While he was drawing the side wall of the glove box, his son came up to him, looked at the sketch he had drawn, and asked his father why he had not drawn a shark.
Finger, who was warm to the idea, suddenly found himself drawing a shark. Thus, he designed the shark symbol, a cult figure of Opel. Later, with this symbol, Opel started mass production.
An idea that a small child came up with has become the masterpiece of a world-famous automobile brand today.
Since then, the success story of the Opel shark began. In the following years, this design became indispensable for Opel. The shark figure gradually made its way into the Opel Man, then Opel Astra, Opel Crossland and other models from the Opel Grandland X to the Opel Insignia. Since then, there has been at least one shark in the interior design of the vehicles.
In the new designs, the shark design is hidden.
While introducing new models, it is also wondered where the shark design is. But the designers try to keep this icon hidden in every vehicle. People usually find this design by coming across it, not while searching.
This interesting and sweet design, identified with Opel, will always remain hidden in Opel models, no matter more or less. Because they are hidden, it is up to us to find them in interior designs.