Imported Opel GT

[Ooooner]

I met a guy yesterday who had a 1971 Opel GT that was obviously imported to the US but was built for Europe. This guy was from Holland and had driven 50 model Opel's when he was younger and living overseas. He said he knows all about Opel’s and wanted to get back into them again. Apparently his hobby is to get old foreign cars and fix them up. He said he has two Morris Minors right now plus around 14 other cars as well. His "regular" job is a Pipe Organ Builder. His name is Ben Zimmer.

Anyway, myself and another Opel guy, Gary, met with him yesterday and checked out his new "find". The first thing I noticed was that it did not have the rear side markers and the speedometer had 240 on the dial!

Although it was a 1971, the rear windows were fixed and not pop-out windows. Gary told me that it was a factory option in Europe and that they came with the solid windows unless you ordered them. I did not know this.

I have always wondered what those three holes were on the inside of the engine bay, on the driver’s side, finder were for. Well, apparently, there was an electrical pump for the window washer because there it was and it looked original. There was no foot pump inside to squirt the washer fluid.

I also noticed that the engine was a factory 2.0L engine. I was wondering if this came in the car or did it get replaced at some time. The 2.0 is clearly cast into the block on the front lower left part of the block.

What else was weird was that it had a "VARAJET II" carburetor on it. The words "VARAJET II" "Made in France" and "GM STRASBOURG" was cast into the carb housing. Anybody ever heard of that?

This is a curiosity to me and just wanted to pass this on for discussion.

[blauwmarc]

I know varajet, but it must have replaced the original solex for some reason I guess. Like in the States GT owners replace the solex for a weber. There was another type of carb often used in opel, wasn't it "zenith" or something?
I'm not an opel purist, so I can't tell if the 2.0 engine was a factory option.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner The first thing I noticed was that it did not have the rear side markers and the speedometer had 240 on the dial!

Kilometers

Although it was a 1971, the rear windows were fixed and not pop-out windows. He told me that it was a factory option in Europe and that they came with the solid windows unless you ordered them. I did not know this.

Interesting! Why wouldn't you want them?

I have always wondered what those three holes were on the inside of the engine bay, on the driver’s side, finder were for. Well, apparently, there was an electrical pump for the window washer because there it was and it looked original. There was no foot pump inside to squirt the washer fluid.

I had been told by a list member that an electric pump was an option but didn't know any particulars.

I also noticed that the engine was a factory 2.0L engine. I was wondering if this came in the car or did it get replaced at some time. The 2.0 is clearly casted into the block on the front lower left part of the block. What else was weird was that it had a "VARAJET II" carburetor on it. The words "VARAJET II" "Made in France" and "GM STRASBOURG" was cast into the carb housing. Anybody ever heard of that? This is a curiosity to me and just wanted to pass this on for discussion

I don't believe the 2.0L engine was produced until sometime in the late '70's and I believe the Varajet carb. was a common carb used on it.

Roy, you can stumble on some neat stuff sometimes! How is it you can't find my brake piston in your shop? When you do find it, don't move it I want a picture of where it is.

Harold

[namba209]

Uh Guys, pop-out windows weren't on 71s they were on the 72 and on. Had one of both years. His 71 could have been built real late 71 or and early 72, maybe.

[neuropel]

Originally Posted by namba209 Uh Guys, pop-out windows weren't on 71s they were on the 72 and on. Had one of both years. His 71 could have been built real late 71 or and early 72, maybe.

Yep..matter of fact there used to be an article floating around on how to convert to the pop-out windows (might even be on Opelgt.com). Ahh...brings back memories of my GT days, before my Manta epiphany...

Todd

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by namba209 Uh Guys, pop-out windows weren't on 71s they were on the 72 and on. Had one of both years. His 71 could have been built real late 71 or and early 72, maybe.

Uh, Ron... I bought a brand new 71 Opel GT back in 71 and it had pop out windows. It was the first year...

[Jonzo]

I also have an Opel GT that was originally sold in Italy. It's a '69 GT metallic green with tan interior.
I can confirm the presence of the electric windshield washer, the 240 kph speedometer, and the absence of the rear side markers. My 69 has the fixed windows as do all '69 and '70 model year GT's. My Italian market GT also has factory fitted amber repeater blinkers (mounted on the front fender just in front of the "Opel GT" name plate) that were required by Italy. Other cool tidbits that this GT has are the factory swaybars, driving lights (in the location where U.S. GT's have their blinkers) an "H" cylinder head, and a flat rear panel.
I beg to differ with regard to the pop-out windows. They were most definitely standard on '71 on U.S. market GT's. I've owned three 71's - all with pop-out windows (one of which had an Oct 1970 build date). According to the GT literature that I've read, GT-J's from 71 on had fixed rear side windows while all other (more expensive) GT's from 71 on came with pop out windows as standard. Also I don't see pop-out windows listed on the German "Sonderausstattungen" (special equipment) lists that are printed in the back of Das Neue Grosse Opel GT book.
Just my two cents worth.
-Jonzo

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner ... it had pop pot windows. It was the first year...

I'll bet!

Harold

[namba209]

OOPS. Looks like I may have stepped into some stuff here.

Or, maybe my 71 was a late 70s build.

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by Ooooner I also noticed that the engine was a factory 2.0L engine. I was wondering if this came in the car or did it get replaced at some time. The 2.0 is clearly cast into the block on the front lower left part of the block. What else was weird was that it had a "VARAJET II" carburetor on it. The words "VARAJET II" "Made in France" and "GM STRASBOURG" was cast into the carb housing. Anybody ever heard of that? This is a curiosity to me and just wanted to pass this on for discussion.

2.0 engine was not standard isue, and the Varajet carb was normally used on the 2.0 N and S engines and the Zenith carb [what Bluemark mentioned] was used with the SR type cars on the S engines.

the 2.0 N / 2.0 S engines were built from 1975 and on and were fitted in these cars:
Ascona / Manta B
Kadett C
Rekord D/E
The 2.0 E was used in the:
Monza / Senator A
Rekord E

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr I'll bet! Harold

Hee Hee Hee... Been corrected... Must have been thinking about something else...

[sawdust]

Originally Posted by namba209 Uh Guys, pop-out windows weren't on 71s they were on the 72 and on. Had one of both years. His 71 could have been built real late 71 or and early 72, maybe.

My 71 GT has pop out windows.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by 2 Fast 4 U the 2.0 N / 2.0 S engines were built from 1975 and on and were fitted in these cars: Ascona / Manta B Kadett C Rekord D/E The 2.0 E was used in the: Monza / Senator A Rekord E

The 2.0 N/S was not available in Rekord D, the largest Rekord D engines were the 1.9 and a 2.1 Diesel.
The 2.0E was also available in Ascona/Manta B and Kadett C.

As stated before, the 2.0 did not even exist in the GT era, so the engine in this German GT must be aftermarket.

Dieter

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by heimue The 2.0 N/S was not available in Rekord D,

Actually, Dieter, there was a Rekord D called "Rekord Berlina 2000" in -76 and -77. Maybe also in -75, but I`m not sure. I think that was the first to have the 2.0 engine. I remember there was one at the local Opel dealer in -76, and it was a beautiful car.

[pecje]

Originally Posted by Ooooner I have always wondered what those three holes were on the inside of the engine bay, on the driver’s side, finder were for. Well, apparently, there was an electrical pump for the window washer because there it was and it looked original.

For those who are interested: here are some pictures of the electrical pump. Mine (a Dutch 69 GT) is also equipped with it. The manufacturer is SWF, a German company who also produces the wiper blades (and more).

Patrick

[heimue]

Originally Posted by hallgeir Actually, Dieter, there was a Rekord D called "Rekord Berlina 2000" in -76 and -77. Maybe also in -75, but I`m not sure. I think that was the first to have the 2.0 engine. I remember there was one at the local Opel dealer in -76, and it was a beautiful car.

Sorry for my error then - my Opel data book ends in 1976...

Dieter

[Phoenix]

Why swap in another 1.9 when 2.0 are just as easy to find and are a direct bolt on. If you do a search on the German Ebay, just about every GT has a 2.0 w/ FI. There were so many that I had to ask Dieter, if they came that way from the factory.

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by pecje For those who are interested: here are some pictures of the electrical pump. Mine (a Dutch 69 GT) is also equipped with it. The manufacturer is SWF, a German company who also produces the wiper blades (and more). Patrick

Yep, that was the pump I noticed on the 71 GT here in the US...