Restoration Almost Finished: 1970 Opel GT
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?
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Comments
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.
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
Corvette Clown Car.
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.
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
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
The 1.1 was primarily for Europe when horsepower was taxed
I owned a yellow 1970 GT; loved the car. The 1.9l is indeed peppy. I wish I still had it.
this is how stupid stories get started,i read it in barn finds so it must be true ,headlights never steared .
Probably never STEERED either🤔
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.
Wouldn’t that be, turning “a few hundred feet before the intersection” because it had such a wide turning radius?
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.
Already gone!
Restored one with the help of the Opel GT source in California. Fun little car!
Rather than “…a little European roadster” I would call it “A little European coupe/fixed-head”. Good article overall. Thank-you, Elliot.
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.
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!
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.