- Seller: Brian S
- Location: New Plymouth, Idaho
- Mileage: 1,415 Shown
- Chassis #: 94262507
- Title Status: Clean
UPDATE – The seller found a spare dash panel and some other trim items for the car, which will be included with it. A photo of the parts has been added to the bottom of the photo gallery. Also, videos showing a walk-around, engine start-up, and a look at the interior have also been added.
Over the years, we’ve seen a few Opel GTs zipping around, but we hadn’t ever experienced one. Recently, a local reader here in Idaho listed his father’s collection of classics with us. His dad is getting older and they decided it was time to liquidate. Amongst the collection is this 1970 Opel GT and we had the opportunity to see and drive it. We were downright amazed by how fun it is to drive! It’s a project, but can definitely be driven as is. You can cast your high bid below and be sure to keep an eye out for Brian’s other classics.
The Opel GT has often been called the “Baby Corvette” due to its styling, while we can definitely see the connection, it’s honestly a completely different experience. We were impressed with the driving characteristics, it’s very much a European sports car. It was surprisingly modern feeling and comfortable to drive. The 1.9-liter inline-4 engine isn’t terribly powerful but is smooth, eager to rev, and seems to provide plenty of grunt to be fun.
Here’s a closer look at the Opel CIH 1.9-liter engine. It was rated at 102 horsepower, which actually isn’t too bad considering the car weighs under 1,900 pounds. The camshaft in head design is something you don’t see often, with the camshaft mounted in the cylinder head next to the valves rather than above them. Performance-wise, it’s similar to an overhead cam design but allows for a thinner head and subsequently a lower hood line. This one runs great and sounds nice, but the engine bay could use a little work to tidy it up.
While you can definitely jump in this GT and go, it could use some work. The interior is complete but in need of restoration. Parts can be hard to come by, but upholstery is available, so the hardest-to-find piece is likely a crack-free dash. Also, the headliner is falling, but appears to be intact and can hopefully just be reinstalled properly. The driver’s side door panel is currently off, but is in the car. The manual headlight lever works and the headlights lift up easily.
If you take a closer look at the shift nob, you’ll notice that it shows as having 5 gears. The GT came with either a 3-speed automatic or a 4-speed manual, so someone did a 5-speed swap. The transmission shifts smoothly and the clutch engages nicely. There’s no word what the transmission came out of, but it’s definitely a nice upgrade that gives this little Opel longer legs!
There are some spots where the paint is bubbling that will need to be addressed, but we didn’t find any serious rust issues underneath. The car was repainted a number of years ago, but hopefully, the color can be properly matched so the bubbles can be addressed and touched up before they get any worse. From 10 feet away, the car looks great and really pops in this bright orange color.
We were very surprised by just how much we enjoyed driving this Opel! It fires right up, runs out nicely, and feels like it would be fun to take through the twisties. Yes, it needs work, but you don’t see these cars all that often anymore. Whether you are looking for a project you can drive while you fix it up or just want something unique, this might just be the classic for you! So what do you think, is this just a Baby Corvette or something all its own?
Bid On This Auction
- Davebaiel bid $6,000.00 2023-10-07 17:03:18
- Captain Ron bid $5,000.00 2023-09-30 10:17:03
- JR49 bid $4,000.00 2023-09-30 10:15:37
- moparmike65 bid $3,500.00 2023-09-30 10:07:45
- Captain Ron bid $3,000.00 2023-09-30 09:18:06
- RWRulison bid $500.00 2023-09-30 09:16:26
Wish there were a few more pictures, just kidding…
Ha! Times sure have changed from the 1 or 2 fuzzy Polaroids we were able to get, huh.
I live 15 miles from New Plymouth if anyone would like a personal look-see.
I agree but who ever purchases it will need to add some sound deadening to the interior as it can get loud inside in a way that is not pleasant. Small, maneuverable, fun to drive all fit. Big shame it did not have a hatch back design as the back behind the seats is not the easiest access point but in general great fun.
Hope i’m not the only one seing Maxwell Smart driving this on the way to Control headquarters
Maxwell Smart drove a Sunbeam Tiger
He drove an Opel GT in the next to last season and a VW Karmann Ghia in the last season. Most of the series run had him driving a Sunbeam Tiger, however.
Lovely looking car. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who drove an Opel GT, similar to this. His was a dark brownish green colour. Not exactly what I consider a good colour choice, but dilligaf! The neighbour seemed to enjoy his.
Pretty close to Maxwell Smart’s ride during the final season. His was a gold 1969.
If the Opel GT Source is still open in California, parts are easy to come by for these. I restored a 70 GT several years ago and they were a great help!
OpelGTSource is still open.
Thanks! they were instrumental is restoring my 70 GT.
Wow this brings back memories. My Dad got one of these in green. We took a family vacation in it from southern Illinois to Mt Rushmore with Mom and Dan and my two brothers. Mom sewed some cushions that fit right behind the seats on the package tray and that’s where the three of us, my brothers and I, rode.
…..no way….3 kids in the rear section of this Opel?….where did they put the luggage?
It was one of the many shortcomings of the GT, no trunk. I too think a family of 5 in a cross country trip in an Opel GT would be something worth remembering. I suppose there were worse rides.
Another dang car on my short list. I like that is doesn’t have a non original air cleaner. These stock versions are hard to find and look so right.
The Opel GT was probably the coolest of Opels, down under notwithstanding, as to most, Opels were stodgy, unexciting beaters that I never recall anyone buying one new. My ’68 Kadette Rallye was about as close as it got. In case you are wondering, as I always have, it sure looked like a Corvette, in part its downfall, the cost, but I read, the GT concept was presented at a 1965 car show, and WAS, in part, the inspiration for the new ’68 Corvette.
Regardless, at about the same cost as a Corvette then, it hampered sales, but it was popular enough, and most will say it was a fun car,,,for an Opel. So many shortcomings, no trunk, as mentioned, no 5 speed, the troublesome headlights, the cost, and of course, the lack of service by Buick dealers, who, like the Capri at Ford, they hated the cars, as they claimed it took sales away from the regular makes, and it did. It was an okay car, but my daughters 2nd car, a Saturn SC2, that was very similar to the GT, but most issues addressed. GTs were good cars, mostly for the stout Opel mechanicals.
My dad worked in a Restaraunt where the owner had a 1973 Opel Manta unfortunately dad wrecked the car after the Blizzard of 78 but was unhurt. in the US Opel’s were sold at Buick dealers and stopped being sold in 1975 due to low sales and high exchange rate between the Dollar and the German Mark. the GT would’ve Competed with a Buick Skylark Oldsmobile Cutlass/442 etc. for ex the Hurst version of the Oldsmobile 442 cost 4,000 in 1970 and would be worth at least 32,000 today depending on condition mileage Options etc. oh and they can easily go for over 100,000 at Auction Mecum sold one Sept 22 2023 for 110,000
“… [T]he bubbles can be addressed and touched up before they get any worse”????? I chuckle, or curse (depending on who’s car it is – mine or a seller’s), when I read comments like this. When will folks get it through their thick skulls that once the paint blisters, the rust has already gotten worse. When rust from the inside has already eaten all the way through the metal, moisture between the rust and the paint will cause the paint to blister. The only difference is that the panel still appears to be intact. It isn’t!
Once the rust has progressed to the point of blistering the paint, the horrible deed is done. It needs to be cut out and a replacement welded in.
Outside of this issue, I’ve always found this single model of the Opel to be very attractive. Most of the Opels I saw back in the day were Kadettes and I thought they were pretty ugly – very utilitarian. If the next owner of this car has some skills and doesn’t go too crazy with a restoration, he/she will have a really unique modest-cost conversation piece at local meets, shows, and club events. GLWTA!
Friend had one when I had an Opel 1900 and my baby brother had an Opel Manta Rallye, and I carpooled to college in a GT with a Senior when I was a Freshman, but all four (4) cars used the same 1.9L engine with the cam-in-head design. The boss cast into the aluminum block for the distributor hold down bolt was a little weak, and could crack if you over tightened the distributor hold down bolt (don’t ask me how I know this, LOL)! My mechanic repaired it with a heli-coil. The original Solex carburetor was prone to leaking, even after new gaskets were installed as part of a rebuild. The preferred fix was to ditch the Rolex and replace it with a two-barrel Weber.
The live axle with coil springs and a Watts linkage in back was evidence of the GT’s economy car origins, but it handled well given its limitations, and was a step up from the leaf sprung examples typical of American iron of the period.
I agree with bachldrs assessment on rust spots. I just finished having a restoreation on the rocker panels up to the door handles done and it was due to chips from something hitting that area both sides (no rust as it didn’t get past the undercoat). Anyway the repaint to bring the car back to “showroom” condition cost $7,152.00. Too much money – depends if your a collector or a daily driver? I’d have to see a Lemon Squad Report on these bubbles!
Yes, I’m interested any idea on the address for the Lemon Squad to go to?
Old Man Kurt
These are fantastic little cars. I owned a maroon 69 and an orange 72 way back when (later models had rear side windows that were hinged to open a little), and they are a blast to drive, especially on twisty roads. One came with a white interior that I wasn’t wild about that I dyed black using spray upholstery dye – came out perfectly! Pretty peppy and sufficient power. The interior is nicely designed and comfortable, even for someone fairly tall and for me (6′) everything was in the perfect position – pedals, wheel, shifter, etc. The headlights are funky and can be a little finicky (sp?) but it’s a great car for the money. I’m guessing whoever the lucky bidder is will have a blast!
I Own an Opel GT. I’m in the process of doing a full ground-up restoration. My father bought it new in 1971 and I’ll never sell it. I’ll be in it for about $50K when it’s all said and done. The same guy who designed the Opel GT ALSO designed the Corvette, and he mentioned in his memoirs that he liked the Opel GT better. The transmission this person put in is probably a Getrag 5-speed. That is the most popular one to bolt on to the 1.9L with minimal modifications.
I’ve been told that a five speed from a BMW three series will work. Then you have to make the linkage and get a new driveshaft.
I was 15 and working at an American Oil gas station. American Oil was giving away a few of these just like this one. They were moved around for display at different locations. The owner of the station I worked at allowed me to move it around at our station. Ipulled it out in AM and put inside at PM. I WAS IN HEAVEN and in LOVE with that little car.
Kirk.