1973 Opel GT

Lockley · 08-27-2008

Will try to have this Opel on the road next year, but not completely restored. Drive train looks to be OK and most of the car is there but need front bumper and it does not need to be perfect so if you have one and you are around Asheville, NC let me know. Dave KI4UBK

hrcollinsjr · 08-27-2008

Dave, I'll be coming through Asheville Friday on my way to Mocksville. I can throw some bumpers in the truck for you to look at if you're interested. Anything else since I'm coming from Mid. TN?

Haroldc(at)united.net

neuropel · 08-27-2008

I believe there used to be a prominent Opel-related business in Black Mountain, NC (I grew up in nearby Marion), so you might want to ask some of the "old timer mechanics" in your area - there could be parts stashes somewhere. My recollection is that the business was destroyed by a fire at some point.

Todd Kirby

Lockley · 08-27-2008

Thanks Todd, I'll look around. I am new to this area in Old Fort.

hrcollinsjr · 08-27-2008

Originally Posted by neuropel

I believe there used to be a prominent Opel-related business in Black Mountain, NC (I grew up in nearby Marion), so you might want to ask some of the "old timer mechanics" in your area - there could be parts stashes somewhere. My recollection is that the business was destroyed by a fire at some point. Todd Kirby

There WERE a few parts left.

By the way, Lance is planning on visiting with us at the AutoFair.

Harold

Lockley · 09-17-2008

Well it will run and most of the car is there but the carb needs rebuilt, bearings in the rear end, wiring work, new hoses, water pump, floor pan glassed, carpet, seats redone, headliner, dash pad, and enough body work to keep me busy for weeks. Question is "Is this one worth saving?".

Lockley · 09-18-2008

I do like the wheels, now on to the car. Maybe

Lockley · 10-10-2008

Did a little work with the grinder and a 4 inch cup brush, found about what I thought I would. Small can of Bondo should do the job. Carb rebuilt and the jet and check ball put back in place from sitting in the bottom of the bowl. Riped out the added wiring to lights, will repair the wiring the way it should be. Brakes will need a little work at some point but I did move the car a little around the yard. Seats are not too bad but most of the interior is missing so I have been looking at pics on the internet to see what it should look like inside. If all goes as fast as this work I should see Ya'll at Charlote next year with the car in drivable shape. Dave KI4UBK

opel kid · 10-10-2008

wow it's looking a whole lot better!

Lockley · 10-24-2008

Well I am now starting the car every day after putting a patch on the fuel line coming out of the tank and it sounds ok for an engine running on old points and plugs. It has been a long time since I set the dwell on an engine but I guess I'll be doing that with the GT.
Starting to learn what is what on the car and getting ideas about the interior, which will be a bit simple on this one.
The bodywork is coming along but the rear panel is in very poor condition and it would save a lot of sanding to replace it and the rear deck.

bgdowski · 10-24-2008

Not to be a perfectionist, or to be consitered anal, but I wouldnt have repaired the front fender with bondo... The fender is not a critical structural point, but would have benefited from sheet metal. I realized on my project the flexablility of that section of the fender, and that simply filling it with bondo may result in cracking and eventually the bondo falling out... Just my 2 cents, if you have a welder and some extra sheet metal laying around, i would go ahead and weld in a piece THEN throw body filler over it...

Good luck with the car, its starting to look good!

Lockley · 09-12-2009

Ok back to a little work on the Opel GT. The rear panel was going to be more work than it was worth so ask and did get a rear clip. This may seem like a lot of work but looking at the cut and splice it’s going to save me a lot of time and effort.

I did put new plugs in, change the oil, and clean the breaks; it sure runs smooth. Dave

ungermm · 09-12-2009

The rear clip that you're intend to use looks to be in pretty poor condition. Are you sure, you want to use that rusty old thing?

Jerry

Lockley · 09-12-2009

It's a lot better than the one on the car. This will not be a show car just one kept out of the scrap yard. I will do one more after this one that will be mint.

bellamy · 09-13-2009

Not sure if you considered this option yet, or is you already started the other one but just an idea.

[url=http://www.opelgtsource.com/catalog/shop.cgi?cart_id=6966599.4632&page=catalog.htm&key words=info.htm]

it's bound to be easier and look better in the long run.

bellamy · 09-13-2009

Well that didn't work... lol. It was supose to be a link to the fiberglass rear from Opel GT Source --- Welcome. It is $220

bellamy · 09-13-2009

Just saw this too..

opel gt rear panel:eBay Motors (item 330359549806 end time Sep-19-09 09:21:49 PDT)

Lockley · 09-13-2009

Hey thanks guys but I do not have the money for the glass one and I did see the one on fleabay. Started the prep today; looks like it will be ok. I’ll get some pics soon. This is a very poor GT to rework so it will only get so much of my time.

I do have a question about the light system, where are the switches and relay on the GT? I do not have a shop manual or another car to view.

hrcollinsjr · 09-13-2009

Originally Posted by Lockley

Hey thanks guys but I do not have the money for the glass one and I did see the one on fleabay. Started the prep today; looks like it will be ok. I’ll get some pics soon. This is a very poor GT to rework so it will only get so much of my time.

I do have a question about the light system, where are the switches and relay on the GT? I do not have a shop manual or another car to view.

Dave, need a FSM? I'm still in NC and headed back sometime tomorrow.

Harold

Lockley · 09-13-2009

I could use one Harold. Give me a call if you get a chance.

Lockley · 09-15-2009

Tank is out and on with cutting up a GT.

Lockley · 09-15-2009

Rear cut off; easy part done now lots of fitting.

opellane · 09-15-2009

Looks like your Digging in Deep into that Old Rusty Opel GT. I would get a cheap Sand Blaster and blast like crazy.( Get Industrial Med. Sand from Contractor Center $6.50 per 50LB Bags) Then see whats left, and then start putting it all back together. (Patches,Etc) So far your Doing a great job, saving that rusty GT. Just my .02 cents worth
Should be decent when your all done.
Good Luck

Lockley · 09-16-2009

I do not have a sand blaster but a cup brush on the grinder does good.

Rained all day so went to Advance for 5/16 fuel line and 5/16 ferrels to repair the line coming out of the fuel tank. One little part fixed, one thousand more to go. lol Dave KI4UBK

Lockley · 09-18-2009

Rain stopped for a minute so started the fit up of the rear panels. This only took about an hour to get to the rough fit.

08-27-2008	#3 (permalink)
neuropel Rice Cooker Join Date: May 2002 Location: Spring Church, PA Posts: 1,787	I believe there used to be a prominent Opel-related business in Black Mountain, NC (I grew up in nearby Marion), so you might want to ask some of the "old timer mechanics" in your area - there could be parts stashes somewhere. My recollection is that the business was destroyed by a fire at some point. Todd Kirby __________________ "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln ________________ 1972 GT 2.4L 1974 Manta GT/E 2.2L 1973 Manta Rallye 2.5L

10-10-2008	#9 (permalink)
opel kid gone Opel GT crazy! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lincoln Alabama Posts: 756	wow it's looking a whole lot better! __________________ Rex {Elda} "code green"1969 Opel GT 4 speed,Weber carb,Pertronix electronic ignition. 1972 parts car auto-RIP 1972 parts car -Rip {saphire}-1993 yellow nissan pick up 5 speed! 1993 red nissan pickup automadic (unamed for now) {Alexia}-1989 chevy camero {Elliott}-1978 Pontiac Firebird -1989 Ford probe(unamed for now) 17 years old -6 vehicles... and still moveing on WATCH OUT,I'M A OLD CAR FANATIC!!! Future wanna be concept and custom car designer/builder.

10-24-2008	#11 (permalink)
bgdowski Opel GT Pilot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 100	Not to be a perfectionist, or to be consitered anal, but I wouldnt have repaired the front fender with bondo... The fender is not a critical structural point, but would have benefited from sheet metal. I realized on my project the flexablility of that section of the fender, and that simply filling it with bondo may result in cracking and eventually the bondo falling out... Just my 2 cents, if you have a welder and some extra sheet metal laying around, i would go ahead and weld in a piece THEN throw body filler over it... Good luck with the car, its starting to look good! __________________ Currently in Daytona Beach, FL working towards my Bachelor's in Aeronautical Sciences (Professional Pilot).

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08-27-2008	#2 (permalink)
hrcollinsjr 2200 Post Club Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chapel Hill, TN Posts: 2,267 Real Name: Harold Collins	Dave, I'll be coming through Asheville Friday on my way to Mocksville. I can throw some bumpers in the truck for you to look at if you're interested. Anything else since I'm coming from Mid. TN? Haroldc(at)united.net

08-27-2008	#4 (permalink)
Lockley KI4UBK Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 Real Name: Dave	Thanks Todd, I'll look around. I am new to this area in Old Fort.

09-17-2008	#6 (permalink)
Lockley KI4UBK Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 Real Name: Dave	Well it will run and most of the car is there but the carb needs rebuilt, bearings in the rear end, wiring work, new hoses, water pump, floor pan glassed, carpet, seats redone, headliner, dash pad, and enough body work to keep me busy for weeks. Question is "Is this one worth saving?".

09-12-2009	#13 (permalink)
ungermm UngerDog Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 767	The rear clip that you're intend to use looks to be in pretty poor condition. Are you sure, you want to use that rusty old thing? Jerry

09-12-2009	#14 (permalink)
Lockley KI4UBK Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 Real Name: Dave	It's a lot better than the one on the car. This will not be a show car just one kept out of the scrap yard. I will do one more after this one that will be mint.

09-13-2009	#15 (permalink)
bellamy Opeler Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 47 Real Name: Craig Bellamy	Not sure if you considered this option yet, or is you already started the other one but just an idea. [url=http://www.opelgtsource.com/catalog/shop.cgi?cart_id=6966599.4632&page=catalog.htm&key words=info.htm] it's bound to be easier and look better in the long run.

09-13-2009	#16 (permalink)
bellamy Opeler Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 47 Real Name: Craig Bellamy	Well that didn't work... lol. It was supose to be a link to the fiberglass rear from Opel GT Source --- Welcome. It is $220

09-13-2009	#17 (permalink)
bellamy Opeler Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 47 Real Name: Craig Bellamy	Just saw this too.. opel gt rear panel:eBay Motors (item 330359549806 end time Sep-19-09 09:21:49 PDT)

09-13-2009	#18 (permalink)
Lockley KI4UBK Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 Real Name: Dave	Hey thanks guys but I do not have the money for the glass one and I did see the one on fleabay. Started the prep today; looks like it will be ok. I’ll get some pics soon. This is a very poor GT to rework so it will only get so much of my time. I do have a question about the light system, where are the switches and relay on the GT? I do not have a shop manual or another car to view.

09-13-2009	#20 (permalink)
Lockley KI4UBK Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 27 Real Name: Dave	I could use one Harold. Give me a call if you get a chance.

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