Baby Corvette: 1972 Opel GT Shed Find
At first glance the Opel GT looks like the offspring of a C3 Corvette. From some similar styling cues to half the number of cylinders these do resemble a baby Corvette. One way that these cars are not similar, though, is in how common they are. The Corvette is more common while the Opel GT is more uncommon. And if you’re in the market for something more uncommon then this one found here in Craigslist, in Hutchinson, KS might be for you.
The Opel GT’s came with four cylinder engines from the factory that would have ranged anywhere from nearly 70 horsepower to a little over 100 horsepower. This would be fun in a 1,900 pound car, but more horsepower never hurts, right? Would a small block V8 swap be okay or is the car too rare to modify?
The seller doesn’t give much detail, but the pictures look promising. You’ll often find an Opel GT that has been sitting in a field or partially disassembled for restoration, but neither appears to be the case with this example. It hasn’t ran in approximately 12 years, but from the pictures it does look like it’s been in storage. The interior doesn’t seem to show incredible wear and the body appears to be in decent shape.
The seller does say it needs complete restoration, but the condition is listed as fair. Could this mean that it is a good candidate for restoration? Depending on the extend of the restoration it would be fairly easy to eclipse the value of one in great condition. Could this one become a driver again and stay within market value?
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Comments
Opel overload. Hadn’t seen this many in years.(3) Never cared for the GT.
“Baby Corvette” overload. Give it a rest.
I have loved the Opel GT since I saw my first one on the early 70’s. It was bright yellow, and the guy across the street owned it.
This one on Craigslist looks like a fun project. Get in running shape, put a new paint job on it, and drive it and enjoy.
Put in a TWIN TURBO Mazda Rotary Engine !
If you are ADVENTUROUS, Adapt a Datsun 510, I.R.S. to the car.
SLEEPER !
I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had an Opel GT like this. While it was an attractive looking car, its chocolate brown colour didn’t do it any appearance favours.
I’m tempted. Always loved the mini Vette. Road trip to KS, hmmmmm
Owned 2, a red and a yellow one. Fun, quick and good handling.
Worked on a blue one at the Buick Dealership in 1969. It was love at first sight.really like going on test drives or
drive it to lunch…
Definitely worth fixing this awesome little car back to the way it left the factory! Loved them then and love them still! This is actually a very nice example!
Kinda cool looking but I’d throw a vetch in it to make it fun!
Didn’t like them then, don’t like them now. A girl’s car, like a 190 SL.
Friend went to school in Evansville, Indiana. His roommate’s dad built Indy cars, they put a turbocharged Quad4 in an Opel GT. Brakes & suspension were all done “In house,” 27-28 years ago. Dunno what happened to it, but it was very cool
My ‘70 GT in blue w/1.9L manual was a blast to drive. Loved it. There was a green one (very rare) here a year or so ago that was tempting. Big fun. Agree that a modern engine might be fun. Stock was 100 hp in era when 240z was 150 hp. The flip lights could be a menace occasionally, too.
Had a blue ’72 with 1.9 liter. Had it 3 years, never had an issue with it outside of the door locks messing up. Had to climb from the passenger side to the drivers side on occasion (I’m 6’1″!). Was a fun car, handled well, was pretty quick. I’d own another!