Opel GTs are commonly referred to as a Baby Corvette, due to its Vette-like looks in miniature. But despite this moniker, power was never at Corvette levels. This storage-locker find Opel GT appears to have addressed that problem at one time due to its conversion into a full-blown drag car, but its hopped-up engine and transmission have since been removed. Find this roller here on craigslist for $6,000.
The GT sports a wild paint job, and based on the wheel and tire package and wheelie bar out back, it was once a serious dragster. The cleanness of the graphics suggests this Opel didn’t make too many passes before being retired, and the bodywork appears surprisingly damage-free. The seller offers very few details on the history of the Opel, other than noting the obvious that there is no drivetrain.
Lightweight and a rear-wheel drive layout likely made the Opel GT an attractive candidate for a drag car conversion. There are many, many Opel GT dragsters available for ogling on Google, but no obvious matches for the car seen here. If this car was once competitive, it begs the question as to why it was put away. For now, though, is the price reasonable for the next owner to absorb the cost of dropping a new drivetrain in?
“Serious inquiries” require some serious freaking pictures from the seller.
+Sam – Could not agree more. These ‘men of few words’ or ‘strong silent types’ bore the crap out of me. It doesn’t occur to them that they themselves would never answer an ad like this. What engine / transmission is it set for? What is the rear setup? A pic of the interior, possibly? How about the engine compartment? Are the belts and bars certified? By whom? ’til when? Golly!
The retirement of this car from racing isn’t that surprising. The car’s wheelbase and track width brings the term “death ride” to mind.
In the 70’s there was one called “Short and Shaky” (maybe this one?). On one run, it had the front end in the air just as the rear end hooked up. Car actually left the ground and the photograher caught it literally flying down the track!
This has Hotrod Drag Week written all over it!
It’s more than likely headed to grudge night’s or T&T’s by someone that doesn’t know any better. That is, if it ever gets finished.
Even at $6,000 it’s too expensive. Competitive turn key race cars can be found in the $10,000 to $15,000 range, or less.
Steve R
Seriously silly seller. But, I guess, we really can’t call the advertiser a “seller”. Also, at the asking price I don’t think we ever will.
It’s a poser !
Seriously insane (ugly garish) paint job.
The original chassis is cute styling, but too short to be a serious dragster that did any decent passes.
Doesn’t matter what lump is under the hood, if you were to hot sub 10s on a 1/4 with this car it would more than likely be unstable and lethal.
But to the uninformed it looks cool – NOT !
I like to know more about its chassis