Makes › Opel › RAK 2 rocket car · Prototype · 1928
Opel
RAK 2 rocket car
Rocket-propelled experimental car driven by Fritz von Opel at AVUS (1928)
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: 2NMR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1928
- Engine
- Solid-fuel rocket propulsion, 24 rockets at the rear (no piston engine)
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- 238 km/hFactory: 238 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Fritz von Opel with Max Valier and Friedrich Wilhelm Sander (rockets)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The RAK 2 was a rocket-powered record car driven by Fritz von Opel on 23 May 1928 at the AVUS in Berlin. It reached 238 km/h with 24 solid-fuel rockets in front of more than 100,000 spectators, and Opel used the project to move its image from mass producer to technology pioneer.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
No production figures recorded yet.
History
The first car, RAK 1, was built in spring 1928 from the Opel 4 PS with six Sander solid-fuel rockets and reached 100 km/h in eight seconds, working with physicist Max Valier and rocket maker Friedrich Wilhelm Sander. A few weeks later the RAK 2 followed, a purpose-built arrow-shaped single-seater with an aerodynamic bonnet and 24 rockets at the rear, giving about six tonnes of thrust.
On the AVUS the car reached 238 km/h according to auto motor und sport (Silodrome gives over 230 km/h) and almost lifted off, but von Opel held it with steering and body weight at 230 km/h. Silodrome notes it was one of the first cars to use inverted wings for downforce.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard RAK 2 rocket car.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Solid-fuel rocket propulsion, 24 rockets at the rear (no piston engine)1 Independently researched |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 238 km/hFactory: 238 km/h1 Independently researchedSilodrome says over 230 km/h (143 mph). |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Opel RAK-1 und 2 Level B auto motor und sport
- 24 Raketen am Heck
- schießt der Wagen... auf 238 km/h
Keep exploring
More from Opel
-
Opel
Kadett A "Oliver" (Top Gear Botswana Special car)
1 Built
-
Opel · 1969
GT Aero
2 Built
-
Opel
Manta 400
245 Built
-
Opel · 1979–1982
Ascona 400
268 Built
More from Germany
-
Audi · 2000–2001
RS4 Avant (B5)
6,030 Built
-
Porsche · 1986–1987
961
1 Built
-
BMW
BMW 319/1
Production not yet verified
-
RUF · 1983–1989
BTR
30 Built
77 other makes from Germany9ffAC SchnitzerAdlerAgria-WerkeAlbertAlpinaAMGAMOAmphicarApolloArtegaAudiAuto UnionAutomobili PininfarinaBayerische AutowerkeBenzBenz & Cie.BitterBMWBohseBoldmenBorgwardBovensiepenBrabusBrennaborBrütschCarlssonChampionDaimler-Motoren-GesellschaftDauerDKWFMR (Messerschmitt)FuldamobilGemballaGepardGlasGoggomobilGoliathGumpertGutbrodAll makes →