For 88 years, until 2017, General Motors owned a controlling interest in German auto builder Opel. In the 1960s and 1970s, it provided a foundation for small, imported cars for Buick to sell in the U.S. One of those vehicles was the Opel GT, a 2-seat sports coupe that resembled a Chevrolet Corvette. The seller’s 1970 edition is an unfinished project with a later V6 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Sitting on a curious perch in a garage in Rainier, Washington, this interesting car is available here on craigslist for $5,000.
The Opel GT was on the market from 1968 to 1973 and was only offered with an inline-4 and a 4-speed manual or automatic transmission. More than 100,000 of them were built, with 70% ending up in U.S. Buick dealerships. The little cars had hideaway headlights like the bigger Corvette, but they were hand-operated rather than by a flick of a switch. So, when you drive an Opel GT, it puts you to work!
This 1970 GT may have been a long-term project. The first thing that bothers me in the photos is the DIY lift the seller has created. It looks like pieces of wood sitting on top of jacks. One, how did they get it up there, and two, how safe is that? At some point, the original drivetrain has been dropped in favor of a 2.8-liter Chevy V6 with a 5-speed. So, it should be considerably peppier once it comes down from its pedestal. The odometer reads 70,000 miles, but it’s broken.
Besides the drivetrain swap, what’s there now has been souped up some with an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor, plus a hotter camshaft. But does it run? The seller doesn’t say. Does the body need work? The seller doesn’t say either. The interior may be okay, though a carpet set is needed. Would you like to finish this project?
Interesting idea-so many questions-need a flatbed to get her back on solid ground (physically) and a lot of research and fiddling to do the same mechanically.
Under the skin, they were Opel Kadetts and pretty common in the US. The one featured here seems solid, but the seller seems to be mostly incommunicado about the car. Too bad, because I think a lot of people would take this project on. If you’re interested and want to do an inspection, don’t forget the stepladder.
I almost bought one a few years ago and found out you can equip an AC system in one with an original motor. Also read an article with one that had a Chevy 350 installed with major work, to get it in, and working. Cool find.
I would have thought the Buick/Rover 3.5 litre alloy V8 would be the conversion motor for these. And, It originally comes grom GM, so kinda cool in that respect.
best,
bt
Just saw one of these GT’s being drag raced at the War in the Woods. With a blown LS, he could barely keep the car on the track.
Ummmh famous ! Opel manta in the the original model opel manta 1.9 liters with a little peppery cam 6.500 rpm in Red pushing easy 95 to 100 hp at time !! Pretty fast i had the four dour Ascona with the sane engine and transmission! I shave the cilinders head two weber 40 mm some thick headers abd change the Cam for 95 degrees up 7.500 i got 120 horsepower! Change whelks and Dunlop tires with konik shocks and lower the springs! It was fun ! In a 1/4 miles strong and powerful! I miss these cars!’
Just need a 1.5 cylinder head to make it go but I know one might be hard to find.
Part of the cowl was cut away to make room for the distributor and the remaining portion pounded inward on itself. There is a screen panel that could be put back to cover up that opening, but the second windshield wiper arm/base is missing. Wondering if he had to cut into the section on the right inner side that normally houses the heater core – that is always a tight area. An extra hood bump was added to clear the carb, but there is no room for an air cleaner on top when you close that hood. Likely to need to install a scoop on the hood for that. Also, what appears to be the throttle cable is hanging on the right side. The factory throttle linkage arms have all been removed. The body does look to be in good shape in the couple of pics that show it. The drivers floor looked solid enough.
Sounds like he had some good ideas but got in over his head.
Lovely car. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had an Opel GT.
Interesting. I am guessing he has a car carrying flatbed that is at exact same height as those support stands. Great access for all aspects of an engine swap.
Cool build. Minimal bumps added to hood.
Has all the bits, just buying “an idea” more so than a “project ready for completion”.
I would rather this than the big block C3 Corvette further down the page.
Cool little car!
That is the longest throttle return spring I have ever seen! 😂
Seems like a lot of work to get a few horsepower that it really didn’t need. I had a 1974 Opel Manta, 1.9 / 4-speed, Weber 2-bbl, would actually make an honest 135 mph at 6500 rpm, although it took a while to get there. Manta aerodynamics were great, anything past 100 had the front end pressed down on the rubber spring bumpers, handled great. It would tow an 18′ fishing boat with a 50 hp, too.
Never had the chance to drive the ‘Mini-Vette’, but it should have been lighter, quicker, and more slippery.
Looks like he concocted a place to attach ramps on the back of the platform.
Had a couple of Opel GT’s back in the day. Sharp looking cars. Ran just fine with the original engine. It even fit my 6’2″ frame in it. Eventually found my way to the Fiat X1/9. I still fit and it was about the same “fast” as the Opel. Only the Fiat was a lot better handling car and loved the targa top.
I had a ’70 GT. If I pushed seat all the way back I could barely reach the pedals and I’m 6’2″ as well.
Literally the same as the AMT model that I still have on my wall.
No idea what inspired me to put the model Buick V6 in it when I assembled it several decades ag.
Not as interesting as the one I saw a number of years back at Sloan Museum car show in Flint, MI, that had a 455 Buick motor under the hood. Two of the more interesting things about this one are the rear bumper from Alabama and the throttle return spring.