Opel Transforms Derelict Plant Into Car Lover's Delight

Opel has announced it will transform its vacant historic plant here — parts of which date back to 1911 — into a showcase for its classic-car collection. The move is also designed to "clearly position Rüsselsheim as a 'car city,' " the European automaker said in a statement on Wednesday.

The building project, dubbed the Opel Forum, will house the company's vast classic-car collection, which dates back to 1899. The collection will feature production vehicles, racing cars, design studies, prototypes and motorcycles. It is designed to be a mecca for car buffs traveling to the Continent.

The facility will also house a shopping mall, hotel and restaurants, along with a marketplace for classic cars and space for private collections of historic automobiles and motorcycles.