Jun 3, 2022  •  For Sale  •  19 Comments

Restoration Almost Finished: 1970 Opel GT

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Sportscars like the MGB remain extremely popular across the world with a loyal fanbase and thousands of parts available. Some sports cars have slipped through the net through, either due to not being sold in large numbers or not being as popular at the time. One of such models is the Opel GT, sold from 1968 to 1973. Although European in nature, these were sold in the US, just like the one we have before us today from 1970. Our Opel GT in brilliant white comes at us from La Salle, Michigan, and is available here on eBay for $5,500 with 22 bids and just over one day left.

Opel was a brand who were eventually part of GM, but still produce a range of sensible sedans and hatchbacks in Europe, and under the Vauxhall brand in the UK. The GT was actually originally a styling exercise in 1965 which was previewed at the Paris and Frankfurt Motor Shows. It came onto the market a few years later with a variety of engines, the smallest being a 1.1l and the largest a 1.9l. Our car here on eBay appears to be the 1.9l version, but the seller has not confirmed this. Whilst these may not seem like big engine sizes, this car only weighs 1,863lb or 845kg so can certainly provide a fun experience and get you from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds.

The body of our car here is white and in good condition on the surface. One of the more unusual features of these is the pop-up headlights which swivel sideways and sit flush with the front of the car. The lights also turn when the car turns and are hand-operated with a large lever next to the driver. It looks like it has been treated to restoration at some point in its recent life as the chrome and the panels look as good as new. However, when we get to the inside, it’s clear that this car needs more work.

Although the seats are vibrant red and contrast the white body beautifully, the footwell and rear area have clearly not been touched for a while, sporting some surface rust and some wires hanging down. However, all the dials are in place and in good condition so with some minor work you could bring this country-road hero back to life. So would you be interested in taking this little European roadster on the asphalt near you and having one of the most unique cars on the road?

Comments

  1. alphasudMember
    Jun 2, 2022 at 9:35am

    Good looking car in white with the red interior. I think all the cars sold on our shore were the 1.9. Also the lever your refer to rotates the headlights into place it there was no provision for the headlights to turn with the steering wheel.

    Like 21
    • SubGothius
      Jun 3, 2022 at 4:43pm

      That 1.9L is also an interesting design, Opel’s cam-in-head layout, which puts the single cam alongside the valves and operating them via rocker arms, rather than above the valves operating them directly OHC style, which allowed for lower hoodlines and simpler maintenance:
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_cam-in-head_engine

      Like 10
  2. Steve Clinton
    Jun 3, 2022 at 9:13am

    Corvette Clown Car.

    Like 0
    • Greg GustafsonMember
      Jun 4, 2022 at 10:56am

      I remember these being referred to as a “Baby Corvette”. Working in a Chevy dealership, I had to work on one of these and when road testing it after repairs, I was impressed by how well it ran, and accelerated.

      Like 8
  3. Johnmloghry Johnmloghry
    Jun 3, 2022 at 10:53am

    I’ve always like these cars. I’m at the point in life where I no longer look to the future but to the past for my enjoyment. And I can picture myself tooling around in this little car. Unfortunately I have unfinished projects at this time.

    God bless America

    Like 13
  4. B Farrell
    Jun 3, 2022 at 3:57pm

    I believe 1.1s were available in the US but weren’t often ordered (shocker!). I seem to recall no less than Anatoly Aruntoff (excuse me if my spelling is off) campaigning a 1.1 Opel in SCCA racing back in the day

    Like 5
    • Dennis Oldland
      Jun 4, 2022 at 10:02am

      The 1.1 was primarily for Europe when horsepower was taxed

      Like 2
  5. Joe
    Jun 3, 2022 at 10:24pm

    I owned a yellow 1970 GT; loved the car. The 1.9l is indeed peppy. I wish I still had it.

    Like 7
  6. ron wrob
    Jun 4, 2022 at 10:52am

    this is how stupid stories get started,i read it in barn finds so it must be true ,headlights never steared .

    Like 8
    • Lafayette Steve
      Jun 5, 2022 at 10:43am

      Probably never STEERED either🤔

      Like 1
  7. Terry
    Jun 4, 2022 at 11:19am

    I remember my ’70 having such a sharp turning radius that if I wanted to make a left, I had to begin a few hundred feet before the intersection. Exaggerating? Of course…………but not much.

    Like 3
    • Philip
      Jun 4, 2022 at 3:06pm

      Wouldn’t that be, turning “a few hundred feet before the intersection” because it had such a wide turning radius?

      Like 3
  8. CarbuzzardMember
    Jun 4, 2022 at 11:31am

    Biggest flaw? No trunk. There’s storage space but it’s accessed only via the doors. Good luck with a suitcase. It made it a non-starter for me.

    Like 0
  9. Greg
    Jun 4, 2022 at 12:34pm

    Already gone!

    Like 1
  10. Steven Dempsey
    Jun 4, 2022 at 3:57pm

    Restored one with the help of the Opel GT source in California. Fun little car!

    Like 1
  11. Laurence
    Jun 4, 2022 at 4:06pm

    Rather than “…a little European roadster” I would call it “A little European coupe/fixed-head”. Good article overall. Thank-you, Elliot.

    Like 4
  12. Car Nut Tacoma
    Jun 4, 2022 at 4:41pm

    A neighbour of mine had one like this when I was a boy. Although the car was attractive to look at, I didn’t find the colour very attractive.

    Like 0
  13. chrlsful
    Jun 4, 2022 at 7:45pm

    W E L C O M E !!! Elliot. I think I ‘gave it to” nother newer guy worse than they have here.
    There were several like this @ the time. I liked this but the Sonnet better due to the company, tannus bent4 and ‘sharper’ styling notes.
    Wish the guy had better pic. Since U were nice enuff to post up the e-bay I’ll most likely go to see if there’s something better there.
    Enjoy ur stay w/us!

    Like 0
  14. Terry
    Jun 8, 2022 at 7:00pm

    Yes, You’re right. When I said sharp turning radius, I was being tongue-in-cheek. The GT still sticks in my memory as being fun to drive and easy to maintain.

    Like 0

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