Is it worth it?

[astro308]

I have a question and being new to this forum i thought this was the place to ask. I just litterally got back from a salvage yard around me and have located 2 Opel Gt's I think one is a 1968/69 not sure and i am not sure about the other one (they look similar). Some parts from the one GT are missing (rear axle) but the other has the rear axle. Q#1: are the rear axles on the GT's interchangable for all the years they made them? Q#2: Are parts commonaly avaliable and are resonably priced or are they hard to find and really expensive? Q#3: Assuming you had an engine frame and body panels how much would it cost to rebuild? I know that is a heavy question but i am looking for approx. figures. Q#4: are the GT's worth it?

Thanks and if there is any other information you can provide me with or direct me to another thread or website would be lovely.

p.s. not sure what engines they have in them or what all they have in them. Thanks

Matt

[wrench459]

To answer Q4 yes they are But only if you want a Opel so bad that you would put years into restoring a junk yard Opel!!!!

[West Coast GT]

Question #1 - I don't know. We've got more technically knowledgeable folks here who can address this question.

Question #2 - Parts are not as hard to find as one would think for these 30+ year old sports cars. Glass can be hard to get. Components are readily available from several on-line sources. And, they're reasonably priced relative to a lot of other collectable cars. They're certainly a hell of a lot cheaper than parts for new cars.

Question #3 - Based on the assumption as you stated (you have an engine, frame, & body panels intact) figure around $7,000 to make it perfectly streetable (not a restoration) to include:

• body work / paint professionally performed
• engine rebuilt by you to a modest street enhanced level (from approx 100 hp to 120 hp)
• drive-train rehabbed by you
• new wheels & tires
• seats professionally reupholstered
• and everything else including custom mods completed by you

Decrease amount

• for work you can do yourself.
• Increase for every additional horsepower increment.
• Increase for handling & braking enhancements.

Question #4 - "Are the GTs worth it?"
Aye, therein lies the rub. To us - Yes. But if you mean to ask if the cost to rebuild a GT is profitable - No. Chances are you'll end up in the hole. One of the simplest, yet most insightful, things I've heard is that it costs almost as much to restore a cheap car as it costs to restore an expensive one. While this doesn't hold exactly true, it has merit.

[GTJIM]

Watch it! Just seeing a couple of GTs can lead to Opelitis - after that you will never ask "if it is worth it?" again. You will be hooked ... like the rest of us.

Your Questions:

#1 : The complete rear axles are all interchangable but there are two distinct types - early 69-70 and late 71-73 which have different wheel bearings and brake components. The later type has conventional wheel bearings that are still available - the early have roller bearings that use a hardened section of the axle for an inner race (once that is pitted you need a replacment axle and bearing which are no longer available new ... )

#2 : Parts are commonly available here, on EBay and at OGTS (Opel GT Source) a specialty shop in California plus several other businesses such as USA Opel/Opels are Forever etc.

#3 : Rebuild costs depend heavily on the condition of the body work - Opels were delivered from the factory with RUST Restoring the mechanical parts is no more expensive than any 4-cylinder car of that era .. and considerably less than most because of dedicated part suppliers.

#4 : Worth every penny - just to belong the the Opel Community and a neat bunch of helpful folks!

HEAPS of info is available on this site by using the 'Search' function - type in what you want to know about and all the old threads with those words in them show up.

Even if you do not get those GTs for re-building it is often worthwhile scavenging any good parts off them as you will end up going on to find a better one - you have been warned!

HTH

[ronskydivepops]

Question # 4----They may not seem worth it-until you get caught up in the car itself and realize you've gotten Opelitus. A very unique and uncurable disease with no known cure. Can sometimes be sent into remision, by simply buying a hard to find part (which you may already have 2 of already). If possible find someone close by and go for the ride of your life! Good Luck.

[soybean]

What everyone posted above is exactly correct. You might be better off finding one that is driveable and use the other 2 you found as parts cars. Can't have enough parts.
However, once you're out there driving it, the looks and comments from people are priceless. The Gts and Mantas are very uinque and classic cars and very simple to work on once you have fooled with them enough. There's not a whole lot to go wrong that hasn't been addressed here on the board. Good luck on your decision.
Jarrell