GT Review - Anyone see this?

[ConreroGT]

Affordable Classics: 1969-73 Opel GT

Don't think I've seen this review before. Rob, the guy who reviewed it obviously knows nothing of the car from personal experience. Just the 30 minutes online to research it to do the "review". All I can say is: What a dick! I got your sports car right here, pal!

[Nathan Acree]

Doesn't seem such a bad article to me. I have seen much worse things said about the GT.

[BQS4]

I think this article was "discussed" a year or so ago on this site, resulting in a few members e-mailing the writer and/or magazine and expressing their minds and thoughts....

[opeldean]

my impression was pretty good. I know what the car is and I like things just the way the are.

If the car starts to escalate in value like a $35,000 austin healely 3000..then It changes things.

the car is affordable for the modest sports car budget, and who cares about a sports car "snob" who got paid to write an article.

[PROPEL]

I liked this one:

"A diminutive 1.1-liter version was built but not sold in the U.S., though a few sneaked in from Canada."

[RallyBob]

I think the article is a fairly safe depiction of the GT. Sure, not totally accurate from a technical standpoint, but we sometimes forget that the GT was really only a so-so Grand Tourer even in it's day, and technically didn't qualify as a sports car thanks to its' Kadett roots. But like a sexy woman, it's easy to get defensive about the entire package based on outward appearances (even if she's dumb as a stick ).

By today's standards it is even more outdated, but the car's one saving grace has always been the styling, and the affordability. If the prices ever escalate to the point of collector status, then they really lose out on being a 'fun' car to drive and collect. Investments are rarely 'fun'!

JMTCW,
Bob

[heimue]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I think the article is a fairly safe depiction of the GT. Sure, not totally accurate from a technical standpoint, but we sometimes forget that the GT was really only a so-so Grand Tourer even in it's day, and technically didn't qualify as a sports car thanks to its' Kadett roots. But like a sexy woman, it's easy to get defensive about the entire package based on outward appearances (even if she's dumb as a stick ). By today's standards it is even more outdated, but the car's one saving grace has always been the styling, and the affordability. If the prices ever escalate to the point of collector status, then they really lose out on being a 'fun' car to drive and collect. Investments are rarely 'fun'! JMTCW, Bob

Amen to that, Bob!

Dieter

[West Coast GT]

Come on guys, the article is pretty accurate. The GT was designed as an inexpensive import with a sport body on a Kadett chassis. And in all honesty, the Z240 kicked butt in all categories except looks. And yes, it was a step above my MG midget. So accept the GT's origin for what it was.

But, the car has absolutely gorgeous lines. The engine has all sorts of potential. And the braking/handling can be brought into the 21st century.

Some of your cars are great sports cars. I'm damn glad to have a GT. It doesn't matter if the car escalates in value or not, I love driving one.

[blauwmarc]

I drive GT daily and the reactions of people convince me that I have two damn nice cars. And with 2.2 injection and lowered body I also kick ass whenever it's needed. Although it has a fixed rear axle I can take curves like a cart. The article is not to bad, but "Honey I shrunked the vette" doesn't sound that funny in my GT ears.

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT And in all honesty, the Z240 kicked butt in all categories except looks.

If only the GT came to the U.S. with swaybars! I might have enjoyed the factory Opel handling more than my old 240Z, despite its independent rear. Couldn't fit very wide tires on the back of the Datsun, either, as I recall.

[simplemind7]

the way he wrote it sounds pretty biased against the car, but his facts are mostly true, except this one about the Conrero GT:

"the quarter mile took 15 seconds at 150 mph"

wow, it takes A LOT of power to get up to 150mph in the 1/4 and it results in a lot less than a 15 second pass. does anyone know the real time and speed is for this car?

[jeff denton]

I thought the article was pretty fair, he snubbed the MGBGT and it really is a sports car, I once thoroughly enjoyed one of them and the Triumph GT6 it replaced.
Thanks RallyBob for finally being the first to publicly agree with my standpoint that the Opel GT is not a sports car, just a re-bodied Kadett, as I point out constantly to those who oppose Speedway GT running against their Pintos and Mustangs.
I think a lot of car enthusiasts realize full well that most any car that came out of a factory, into a showroom, and then to their garage is "what it is" and from there they can customize it, hot rod it, improve it to their hearts content. If you knock a '69 Mustang I'd guess you know nothing about a Shelby, so what business have you writing about performance cars?
I could test drive anything and come back muttering complaints if I'd rather be driving a Ferrari. That's attitude. And opinion. For what it's worth.
I still enjoy the comments that compare our cars to the Corvette. It gives me more reason to educate people just how right and wrong they are about my car. They always seem to appreciate that, those who had one always smile and tell me stories when they check out my car.
And I think "honey I shrunk the Vette" is hilarious.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by simplemind7 the way he wrote it sounds pretty biased against the car, but his facts are mostly true, except this one about the Conrero GT: "the quarter mile took 15 seconds at 150 mph" wow, it takes A LOT of power to get up to 150mph in the 1/4 and it results in a lot less than a 15 second pass. does anyone know the real time and speed is for this car?

I have the Conrero GT road test, it says that with the 'middle' gear ratio (3.89) the car would do 0-60 in about 6 seconds, the 1/4 mile in about 15 seconds, and had a top speed of about 150 mph. I think this writer took it out of context, that's all.

Bob

[ungermm]

One thing that I found very interesting about the article and I wasn't aware of is the simularity between the GT and the Pontiac Banshee concept car. To me the Banshee looks like what might happen if a GT and a corvette had a child. And, someone educate me on what qualifies a car as a sports car. Is it a car that you would use in racing sport, is it a car that meets certain HP, or, is it a car that looks sporty? Thanks, Jerry

concept_1964banshee3.jpg

We Love Pontiac - 1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept Vehicle

[timemachine]

I wan't onto the Banshee comparison before the article and the last post. More than a passing semblance, there seem to be very unique GT similarities.
Jim