Every day, we see projects get posted for sale that are equal parts unique, fun, and mysterious. Usually, you can identify a logical train of thought that led the owner to build something no one has ever seen before. However, I can honestly say this is a first for me: an Opel GT powered by a Continental aircraft engine, with a custom nose panel that allows it to ride on skis. It doesn’t fly in the air, but I’m guessing it’s an absolute banshee on the ice. Which one of you has the stones to find out? Check out this Opel here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000.
Is that a good price? I honestly have no idea. In my opinion (which is worthless), you would need to assess the value of the Continental-sourced mill and what those are going for within the used aircraft component marketplace. The Opel itself is worthless as car given the front end has been whittled down to only run a single ski as a means of steering and gliding, so the body is just an accessory at this point. However, it looks shockingly well done for a completely custom job, and the mounting of the engine looks better than someone’s attempt on a beer-soaked Friday night.
What I’m getting at is there appears to be some level of actual engineering involved. A video of this thing ripping across a frozen lake should be a prerequisite for any for sale listing, but I understand the timing didn’t work out. The bodywork is, well, who cares, I guess? Does it even matter for a creation like this? Aside from actually piloting it in a sufficient environment, I’m not sure how to assess anything about its construction. The fact that it appears to have matching skis is impressive by itself, and I’m curious if those were custom-made or sourced from a random Snowcat.
Since there’s no longer a traditional engine, it makes sense that the gearbox is also gone. The video in the listing shows the engine firing up, and presumably, this would push you across the ice. I am far from an engineer, so this assessment is likely completely wrong. Regardless, this curious Opel GT deserves a chance to live the life its inventor intended, and so help me God, if the heater works – well, someone better buy this and get cracking on prepping it for wherever the ice freezes solid enough first. Have you ever seen a creation like this? How would you use it? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Kiwie49r this crazy find.
This is exactly what I DO NOT want or need or even look at.
Not even suitable as a lawn ornament.
You are absolutely right Al this is really cool. Probably pretty loud though
It’s hard to imagine the thought process that produced this thing but it’s a good bet that more than a few six-packs were involved.
I see a bunch of stuff that had collected in the yard, and was assembled.
“Hold my beer; watch this” comes to mind.
With that spinning prop what could go wrong?
Does need a screen around the prop.
Perhaps the guard from a David Bradley Mobile Saw.
1st of all Jeff, your opinion matters greatly, at least to this wannabe journalist( don’t worry, it will never happen) I can however drizzle on in the comment section with no apparent consequence.
Simply,,,,I love it. Bay City is in the “other” Michigan( lower), but doesn’t diminish the Michigan “can do” style so prevalent in that great state. Yoopers, even more so.
Okay, structure wise, that motor will tear itself off the body, and not meant for slow going. This is a lake/river machine, and I bet on the right surface, 3 numbers is entirely possible. On a visit to the UP to go ATVing ( A BLAST, btw, strongly recommended) on the wall of the hotel hallway, were all kinds of pictures taken when the UP was pretty desolate, say 100+ years ago, and what caught my attention, aside how much snow they got, were several open horse sleighs that were fitted with airplane motors and props from the 30s, I guessed by the way the people were dressed. No guards whatsoever, but moved them across the frozen lakes in a hurry, if it stayed together. Where I’m hopefully headed for the “last lap”, this would be, um, doable. Being an air cooled motor, heat may be an issue, and I’d like to see an actual video of this thing under its own power. I have my doubts. I think it’s a wonderful repurpose of a so-so car to begin with. I love it!!!!
You’re more of a novelist, Howard.
I agree with you re your comment about structural soundness. It might run for a while, but I think it would eventually tear itself apart. The principal is sound, however. There are a hell of a lot of airboats in the Everglades and the bayous of Louisiana.
Why???
Well, why not?🤪
Many beers were held during construction.
Furiosa’s grocery getter.
I’d be curious (as you’re screaming across the frozen lake) how you get the thing to stop.
Throw it in reverse? lol
Put a variable pitch prop on it and then use reverse thrust. Like an airplane.
Point it at a tree.
An anchor on a rope??
Stop, you say? You just shut down the mags on that old Continental and deploy the ‘chute. No ‘chute? No problem. Just turn the steering full lock left or right until the ice monster goes sideways. It will soon come to a complete halt. Maybe the greasy side will still be down, or maybe not.
Hmmm, maybe an ultralight aircraft copy of a Star Wars fighter? As to how you’d stop it, put on a reversible prop hub?
Or possibly a thrust reverse bucket that opens up similar to the old 727’s. Something tells me steering is optional at slow speeds only.
And this is exactly why I am a die-hard barn finds observer.
Some look and say, Why? I look and say, Wow. Visionary, yes, Artistic, yes, Amazing that it functions, yes, Dangerous, yes. Checks a lot of boxes for me… Belongs in a museum…
Snow machines like this were common across the Dakota’s and Montana. Some were production made and looked like airplane’s on skis. They were used to hunt coyotes and other such adventures. Bid on one at an auction but lost out to a more financially sound opponent who had fond memories riding in one as a young man.
Ingenuity knows no bounds.
I’d take the shooting break first.
Ha ha ha ha , I can’t! Looks like someone had to much time on their hands. Glwts gonna take that special lotta time on your hands to buy this one! Peace!
This is something out of “ Mad Max”, or, “Furiosa”. Most unusual. Can you imagine the noise out of that 6 cylinder, un muffled engine?
Honey….hold my keg….
actually, its kinda cool. Falls under the “have need – fill need” with the least amount of money category. The only mistake they made was not putting it in a barn somewhere and covering it with a tarp for 50 years. Oh… and add some “official” looking graphics on it so that when someone finds it it will drive them crazy trying to figure what its purpose was…
I’m assuming the original Opal gt got smashed in the front and this is what they did with the rest
I seriously don’t believe alcohol was involved here. Most likely Meth…
I believe a lot of people don’t remember study hall.
Bay City is the home of the Gougeon Brothers, world champion ice boat racers and inventors of the WEST System (wood epoxy saturation technique) of structural engineering. Ice boat racing was (& may still be) a big deal in the area. With the broad open expanses of Saginaw Bay the sport is a natural for the region. In the winter, of course, although with enough thrust one might be able to waterski with this rig.
Or not. Depends on how many beers may be available at the time.
Every day, BarnFinds.com sees projects get posted for sale that are equal parts unique, fun, and mysterious.
Today, readers have been hit with some of the most repulsive butchery in automotive history.
I think I can answer almost any questions here since I grew up on a lake in MN and we had two snow planes (what we called them and no they did not fly like this one)
My dad’s had a 65 HP Continental and mine had a 75 HP Lycoming. The props on both had a frame around the prop that went up as high an the hub on the prop, it didn’t need any more. They were very loud both inside and out, no electric starters we hand propped everything. There is no brakes except the friction of the snow so plan accordingly. Speed seemed endless, get lined up and go to wide open throttle and when things felt ENOUGH just pull the throttle back till a comfortable speed was reached. I am guessing we had my dad’s up to around 70 MPH which was plenty. Use some sense they were a very safe mode of transportation!!
WHY???
Why not?? While I am not like Karl with experience owning these, I am very familiar with snow planes as they also call them in Teton Valley Idaho. There used to be a lot of these around here. Guys would take em out in wide open farm fields and out on Jackson Lake. Great winter fun. Then, now many years ago they banned em on Jackson Lake and that sure killed em here. Never seen one built out of an Opel GT, but heck, if that’s what you have…
Totally cool!!
I wonder how it would do on open unfrozen water? With a fan guard as mentioned of course.
Does it have a heater maaan?
Danno they ran the exhaust through the cabin and you had a bypass valve that would dump the exhaust before the cabin or if you wanted heat you would run the exhaust through the pipe that went through it. Essentially the same heating system as a small plane.
What’s a running Continental 6 cyl worth? Because that’s all I see here.
Doug IF this engine started life as an engine used in an aircraft it would have to be overhauled/rebuilt by a very competent overhaul facility to be recertified for use in an aircraft and that’s going to be VERY expensive! I would guess from start to finish your looking at at least 30k! The engine as it sits running or not is nothing more than a core!
Unless it runs fine and you want to keep it as a snow plane.
Nicest one left.