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gtzero · 03-05-2004

I think I saw my first GT in 1979. We had just moved to STOCKTON, CA in my junior year of HS. The house around the block had 2 GTs sitting in their driveway. I had just started getting into cars a couple of years earlier. And I was big on the DINO 246GTS. The GTs kinda reminded me of FERRARIs with their round tail lights and curvaceous body.

So when my MUSTANG was totaled in an accident, I said I wanted a GT. I didn't know how to drive a stick so I would take my father's TERCEL when he wasn't home and practice. I even took it out to SAN FRANCISCO to try out the hills. Lucky I never got into an accident. Can you imagine? What would you say to yor father?

The day came in 1980 when I saw a GT for sale in SACRAMENTO. I drove up with my parents on a Saturday and drove her home. I still remember my father saying, "it's up to you to find parts and fix her".

Well, I did just that. I worked on everything short of rebuilding the engine. I took automotive shop classes to learn as much as I could so that I could do my own maintenance. And it was fun. I also had a vision of how I wanted my GT to look. I knew right off the bat that I wanted 15 inch BBS wheels on my GT. Because all the high performance European cars (PORSCHE, FERRARI, BMW...) were on 15s. So I saved up my money and got a set. Gold BBS rims on a red GT. Slammed the suspension and got ADDCO sway bars. I also threw on an ALLISON electronic ignition. All was right with the world.

I also got big into car stereos. At one time, I had 1000 watts in my little GT. That's clean power courtesy of NAKAMICHI at 0.005 THD. I've spent more money than I wish to total on my little GT.

While in college, I designed and built a body kit for my GT. I had the pieces on the car but no money to paint it. Actually OGTS has my molds for the side skirts and Gil has them on his car.

When I finally graduated college, I got a job in BUCK'S COUNTY, PA. So I had to leave my car with my sister. Her car had just died and I told her she could use it for a few months until I get settled. Well, I never got settled and she wrapped my car around a light pole crossing a cement divider in the process. My BBS rims were all cracked and the nose of the GT was worse than a pug's.

I decided when I got back to Cali that I would turn that car into a roadster. No top, full convertible. I got as far as cutting the top and slapping on 17inch wheels all around (10inch wide in the rear). That was 1991. And that's how she sits to this day.

I've since gotten another GT and I immediately threw on a set of 17s and started planning a TARGA conversion. During the design phase, I had OGTS put in a 2.4 with FI and a 5spd. And also disc brakes all around. I found out that CORVETTE seats would fit in the GT so I installed those. I designed the bodywork on the computer and gave the rendered images to the body shop. The result of which you can see in my gallery.

I've since gotten a DINO 246GTS and a couple of other toys, but I will always have my first love, the little GT. I have so many other ideas for customizing the GT that I often think about getting another one. But first, I have to finish my roadster project.

Sorry for the lengthy story (actually it could be a lot longer) but that's just how much I love the little GT.

03-05-2004	#81 (permalink)
gtzero Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 462	Opelitis I think I saw my first GT in 1979. We had just moved to STOCKTON, CA in my junior year of HS. The house around the block had 2 GTs sitting in their driveway. I had just started getting into cars a couple of years earlier. And I was big on the DINO 246GTS. The GTs kinda reminded me of FERRARIs with their round tail lights and curvaceous body. So when my MUSTANG was totaled in an accident, I said I wanted a GT. I didn't know how to drive a stick so I would take my father's TERCEL when he wasn't home and practice. I even took it out to SAN FRANCISCO to try out the hills. Lucky I never got into an accident. Can you imagine? What would you say to yor father? The day came in 1980 when I saw a GT for sale in SACRAMENTO. I drove up with my parents on a Saturday and drove her home. I still remember my father saying, "it's up to you to find parts and fix her". Well, I did just that. I worked on everything short of rebuilding the engine. I took automotive shop classes to learn as much as I could so that I could do my own maintenance. And it was fun. I also had a vision of how I wanted my GT to look. I knew right off the bat that I wanted 15 inch BBS wheels on my GT. Because all the high performance European cars (PORSCHE, FERRARI, BMW...) were on 15s. So I saved up my money and got a set. Gold BBS rims on a red GT. Slammed the suspension and got ADDCO sway bars. I also threw on an ALLISON electronic ignition. All was right with the world. I also got big into car stereos. At one time, I had 1000 watts in my little GT. That's clean power courtesy of NAKAMICHI at 0.005 THD. I've spent more money than I wish to total on my little GT. While in college, I designed and built a body kit for my GT. I had the pieces on the car but no money to paint it. Actually OGTS has my molds for the side skirts and Gil has them on his car. When I finally graduated college, I got a job in BUCK'S COUNTY, PA. So I had to leave my car with my sister. Her car had just died and I told her she could use it for a few months until I get settled. Well, I never got settled and she wrapped my car around a light pole crossing a cement divider in the process. My BBS rims were all cracked and the nose of the GT was worse than a pug's. I decided when I got back to Cali that I would turn that car into a roadster. No top, full convertible. I got as far as cutting the top and slapping on 17inch wheels all around (10inch wide in the rear). That was 1991. And that's how she sits to this day. I've since gotten another GT and I immediately threw on a set of 17s and started planning a TARGA conversion. During the design phase, I had OGTS put in a 2.4 with FI and a 5spd. And also disc brakes all around. I found out that CORVETTE seats would fit in the GT so I installed those. I designed the bodywork on the computer and gave the rendered images to the body shop. The result of which you can see in my gallery. I've since gotten a DINO 246GTS and a couple of other toys, but I will always have my first love, the little GT. I have so many other ideas for customizing the GT that I often think about getting another one. But first, I have to finish my roadster project. Sorry for the lengthy story (actually it could be a lot longer) but that's just how much I love the little GT.