I have always loved the Opel GT. They have a small tight set up and they are incredibly balanced with the engine pushed as far back as possible. Walking around a German car show last weekend, I was drawn to them. They are so compact and yet so sporty. Honestly, my favorite feature is the manual flip up headlight lever. Known for their rusty unibody, this barn find could be the chance for a clean one. This one can be found here on Craigslist in Lexington, Kentucky, for $2800. The owner doesn’t have many photos listed but after I contacted him, he sent me a few more.
Still on the trailer, washed and with the tires pumped up, you can see the potential. This GT shows none of the classic signs of rust, the rockers are solid, the fenders are still attached, and the floor pan is not on the ground. The car has obviously been sitting but it appears to be complete. There don’t seem to be any signs of body damage or any bondo popping through the layers of paint. The body just needs a simple strip and respray and it would be ready to go again
On the inside, we can see that the gauges are all intact and the dashboard looks smooth. The wood wheel is cracked but I think it has a worn in look. The car is an automatic which is fairly uncommon for the GT. One good sign that I always look for, is the condition of the wiring. The harness is not hanging under the steering wheel or popping through the radio opening, hopefully, meaning that it has not been assaulted over the years. Inside, you can see the lever next to the gear shift in the console that operates the headlights. Interestingly, the lever alone does not activate the headlights there is also a switch.
Under the hood is the 1.9L inline 4. This engine is actually an optional upgrade from the standard 1.1L. Most of the GT’s had the option as it almost doubled the horsepower. The engine is dirty and it doesn’t run but the owner says it spins by hand. It most likely needs a fuel system cleaning, a carburetor rebuild, and a brake job to be remotely driveable. The fact that the engine spins is good because the air cleaner is not on the carburetor which always make me cringe.
The badge may need a bit of a polish but at least they are there. I would love to take a look under this car and see how well the sub-frame held up and there are no pictures of the passenger side but it shows potential. So who will be bringing this baby home?
Flood Car.
Even if it wasn’t flooded, the next owner’s going to be underwater in a hurry!
I like the looks of these, but every time I see one, all I can think of is “GM/Rover aluminum V8 and manual transmission.” After, that is, making sure the rot isn’t too extensive and can be fixed….
In the US, I think that they were only available with the 1.9
I owned one of these for several years. The wiring harness was junk like straight out of the Lucas el cheapo catalog. These cars were best drive by anybody taller than 5’10. I replacedthe original carb with a Weber 2 barrel and a header that greatly increased its power range. I also installed a set of Sumitomo A008 205/60/14’s on I replaced the shocks and bushings. It was fun to drive on back country roads in the summertime.
I owned one of these for several years. The wiring harness was junk like straight out of the Lucas el cheapo catalog. These cars were best drive by anybody taller than 5’10. I replacedthe original carb with a Weber 2 barrel and a header that greatly increased its power range. I also installed a set of Sumitomo A008 205/60/14’s on I replaced the shocks and bushings. It was fun to drive on back country roads in the summertime.
The 1.1 was available in North America
The headlight lever incorporates the switch and does turn the lights on
There is no subframe, the car is unibody.
Just for clarification….
I’ve always liked these. I learned how drive a stick on my sister’s boyfriends Opel GT.
These were damn poor poormans replacement for a Vette.
Fun to drive but not to push too hard on twisties, like another said wiring was a mess, and getting a few ponies extra was easy but not inexpensive.
Always wondered why Euro models stock ran like rabbits and US like inch worms.
Idea of that 215 in one is intriqueing.
Hard one to get bucks out of, IMHO.
It still had the sucky Kadett transverse leaf spring front suspension. The Manta is a much better car.
Girl’s car.
It looks like they pulled it from the bottom of a fresh water lake and put it on a trailer for the forensics team to process. It might be a break in a missing person case from 1987.
We had a Opel rally (Manta??) Not as stylish as this, but a great little car. Missed a few chances to buy one of these,, always regretted it but it was the circumstances. Dressed up in period 1970s sports car racing or rally styling, this would turn heads today. This one is just sad,, Couldnt imagine an automatic either.
I always wanted one, but my dad said absolutely no! He hated small cars especially cars produced overseas! I am not sure if the Opels were produced overseas or not, but still if it was much smaller than his Cadillac it was his opinion that they are death traps! I think that WWll formed his opinion, he couldn’t stand Germans or as he said slant eyes either! His feelings not exactly mine!
Almost bought one of these in really nice shape in the mid 80’s for about $2400. Just a day or 2 after looking at the car and talking to the parents about buying it, someone rear ended the car hard as the seller was driving it. Another friend in college had one too. I ended up with the Opel Manta. A 2 door coupe that had the 4cyl. and 4 speed. That car was fun and drove circles around everyone on the road in the snow. Drove the unused snow covered passing lane passing everyone, spun out into the snow covered median, and pulled right out and kept going. Great first car and Mom still has one in the garage on jack stands. Should I buy it from her for $100?
This thing looks pre-digested. Sorta lost my appetite…..