German Built: 1971 Opel GT
If the Opel GT reminds you a bit of the C3 Chevy Corvette, that’s because they were all under the General Motors umbrella in those days. And if you wanted to buy a new 1968-73 Opel GT, you had to visit your Buick dealer where it may have looked odd parked in the showroom next to an Electra 225. This 1971 edition is said to be a solid car that runs well, though the older repaint has lost some of its luster. Located in Franklin, Ohio, this ‘Vette wannabe is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $11,950. This tip comes to us compliments of Barn Finder JMB#7!
Unlike the Corvette, the Opel GT was not a barn burner because its underpinnings were tied to the rather pedestrian Kadett. The car was designed with the U.S. consumer in mind as more than 70% of the 103,000 built were shipped to the American market. U.S.-bound GTs were fitted with 1897cc “high-cam” I-4 engines that produced 90 hp. A 4-speed manual was the most commonly selected transmission, as is the case with the seller’s car. Lack of demand was not the reason the GT was retired in 1973 – the sloped front end was no longer capable of meeting changing Federal safety standards.
The seller’s car has just 66,000 miles and is original except for an earlier repaint. We’re not told much else, but the appearance of the car is good overall. The orange paint is passable but has lost its shine in several places. The black interior is nice and tidy and looks to need nothing. If you’re looking for a vintage car that’s likely to perform more like a later Mazda Miata, is this Opel for you?
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Comments
These are cool looking little cars, but I don’t know that they can keep up with a Miata in a straight line or around a corner, even an original 1.6l Miata. The GT only made 50-75 hp (depending on the engine) and doesn’t weigh much less than an early Miata
A friend at work had one of these in 1978. He described it as a “baby Corvette”, and I can see the resemblance to the C3 (Known as the Stingray back then). I didn’t know how the headlights opened until decades later, lol. He eventually sold the Opel and bought a ’75 Stingray, and still has it.
If I’m not mistaken. These came before the c3 Vette. So shouldn’t the c3 Vette be called a big opel. I always liked these a lot. Good enough for Agent 86
Agreed 👍 At the risk of being “moderated”, my Porsche buddies just referred to the Corvette as a “plastic pig”.
I could be wrong because I don’t follow these, but that looks like a pretty decent price. Underpowered, maybe, but I had a 73 Manta that had the four speed and in my opinion an underpowered car with a manual can be fun.
Low dollar entry for an unusual car?
I had some years of experience with one that belonged to my girlfriend. Excellent steering if not the most fabulous cornering limits; the headlights were fun in an “Igor, the switch!” kind of way and the vinyl interior out gassed so much it made the inside of the windshield greasy. A fun little car that Buick was always a little confused about
Back in the day I seem to remember seeing some of these cars with the 1.1L OHV L4 and twin single barrel Solex carbs. Then again, I can barely recall what was served for dinner yesterday. ;)
I had a red GT as a daily driver in the late 70s – early 80s. They were nice little cars and reliable but as far as interior ventilation – forget it. The Opel guys could at least have made those rear quarter windows open-able.
The rear windows in the 1971 and later models did flip open (a little)
If I had a Porsche , I’d call it that too. Haha
Rick, you’re absolutely correct- there was a 1.1 liter Opel GT. One was campaigned by no less than Anatoly Arutunoff in SCCA racing back in the day.
There was recently a good article in The Autopian about Opel GT ac ducts. Not sure how to add a pic or link but I recommend having a look at the bonkers setup.
I had an Opel Kadett station wagon. I believe that this car shares the same front transverse leaf spring suspension (you know, just like an early 289 Cobra 😉). The manual warns you to be ready for it to release tension during removal. There are probably a few former Opel owners who are now missing body parts because they didn’t read that section.
Puny little crapmobile. My brother had one and it did nothing well.
I had a blue 1970, first car I ever bought new. I had the use of a Renault Carrabelle Convertible my junior year of High School and was hooked. The GT was fun, looked great, did the job for 8 years without any surprises, just regular maintenance. It spent 3 years in the snow with no issues. I sold it to buy a 61 XKE. While not the most powerful, it was fun and I have since driven a few that have been “tuned” all the way around.
Seems like a decent price. Good luck!
I had a ’69 model that I drove hard! The gear ratio was strange making it difficult running a slalom type highway! 1st and 2nd were OK, 3rd and 4th OK, but there was a huge gap from 2nd to 3rd. Mine was the British Racing Green with tan interior. I put buckles on the hood/fender, just to make it a little different. It was a fun car, lots of curiosity where ever I parked. But the lack of A/C in Texas just made it like driving an oven in the summer. I traded it in for the the new Pontiac Firebird in the summer of 1970, and often wondered where the little GT ended up!
The seller’s buffer must have died after doing the sides and hood.
I didn’t think these things went for so much now.
Actually the bodywork was built in France by French contractor Brissonneau & Lotz and the the mechanical Manta bits were bolted in. Where it was “made” is open to debate.
Interestingly it was introduced before the third generation Corvette so who was copied?
A 1970 Opel GT was my first car. A friend of our family had one sitting in his driveway that had the fuse box ripped halfway out of the car due to an attempted theft. The friend told me that if I could get it running I could have it. 30 minutes later I was driving it down the street. I was 16 years old at the time and didn’t know much about auto electrical or mechanics. Abound 6 months after I was given the car I learned that the gauge marked “oel” wasn’t supposed to have an orange light illuminated and a reading of zero. After replacing the motor I drove it for a couple more years and trading it and cash for a 69 Roadrunner.
A neighbor has two three of these that he hauls to shows. A buddy had a bronze Manta with black hood and fender tops, another buddy had a Kadette wagon and a Kadette two door. All were fun little cars
The black hood really made the Manta look great. Something about the body lines. Works perfectly.
I would like to know if you have sold this car