How do I know how old my GT is?

[danmiddle2]

I need to find out what year my car was manufactured in. Then I need to get Opel to confirm it. The reason being is that any car in the UK that was either manufactured before 1st Jan 1973 OR first registered before 1st Jan 1973 is exempt from paying UK road tax.

My car was first registered in '73, but has no build date listed in the log book (think they are called pink slips in the US?). If it was built before AND if I can get proof I can get it re-classified.

That will save me £180 or $360 per year!

I found this thread which is pretty old
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/general...n-decoder.html

but none of those numbers seem to match up with anything on my VIN plate.

I have also seen this
What Year Is It?

and this
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/77292-post25.html

but none of them match my chassis number.

Mine is like this:
79275XXXX

Does anyone know how I can verify it and/or have a helpful contact at Opel who can help?

Many thanks

Dan

[BQS4]

I don't know if Opel did it on the Euro Opels, but, here we have a little silver/gray decal on the driver's door jam, that would have the month/year the car was made. If you open the driver's door, itt will be just below the door catch.

[pecje]

Originally Posted by danmiddle2 but none of them match my chassis number. Mine is like this: 79275XXXX Does anyone know how I can verify it and/or have a helpful contact at Opel who can help? Many thanks Dan

Since your VIN starts with 79 it means that you probably own a GT/J and not a GT-A-L
VIN number 79 275 is most likely a late 71 or an early 72.
Look here: Opel GT-Fahrgestellnummern and/or here: Splendid Parts - GT/J ! SPEZIAL !

Patrick

[danmiddle2]

Originally Posted by BQS4 I don't know if Opel did it on the Euro Opels, but, here we have a little silver/gray decal on the driver's door jam, that would have the month/year the car was made. If you open the driver's door, itt will be just below the door catch.

Thanks, but I can't see one on mine.

[danmiddle2]

Originally Posted by pecje Since your VIN starts with 79 it means that you probably own a GT/J and not a GT-A-L VIN number 79 275 is most likely a late 71 or an early 72. Look here: Opel GT-Fahrgestellnummern and/or here: Splendid Parts - GT/J ! SPEZIAL ! Patrick

It is a GT-A-L according to the plate with the chassis number on it, and it has chrome bumpers etc.

Thanks for the links!

[pecje]

Originally Posted by danmiddle2 It is a GT-A-L according to the plate with the chassis number on it, and it has chrome bumpers etc. Thanks for the links!

That depends what your color-code is. All VIN-plates state GT-A-L.
Is the color-code 529, 236, 411 or 446 combined with interior-code 451 then it's a GT/J !!
The chrome bumpers were often changed in the past.

[danmiddle2]

Originally Posted by pecje That depends what your color-code is. All VIN-plates state GT-A-L. Is the color-code 529, 236, 411 or 446 combined with interior-code 451 than it's a GT/J !! The chrome bumpers were often changed in the past.

The colour codes are 112 351 and it has a clock, which I am lead to believe the GT/J didn't have?

So does that all mean it's not a GT/J?

Thanks

[Crazy Harry]

If you write opel an e-mail with the VIN number they may give you the information you need and you'll have Opel confirmation as well! I sent them my info and got the export date and the other general info (colour, motor serial number, interior colour, etc.). The contact at Opel is rainer.hopfengart at de.opel.com. Just fix the e-mail address and give it a try.

Hope this helps,

Harold.

[pecje]

Originally Posted by danmiddle2 The colour codes are 112 351 and it has a clock, which I am lead to believe the GT/J didn't have? So does that all mean it's not a GT/J? Thanks

In that case it is definitely no GT/J. Do what Harold says and mail to mr. Hopfengart. I did it myself a few years ago and got the data I wanted in a few days.
Good luck, Patrick

[danmiddle2]

Originally Posted by Crazy Harry If you write opel an e-mail with the VIN number they may give you the information you need and you'll have Opel confirmation as well! I sent them my info and got the export date and the other general info (colour, motor serial number, interior colour, etc.). The contact at Opel is rainer.hopfengart at de.opel.com. Just fix the e-mail address and give it a try. Hope this helps, Harold.

Thank-you - I have just sent a polite mail requesting the info.

[GTJIM]

Yep - found out that my GT with VIN 77 2 858 xxx was built on 24.4.72 so yours with a VIN 79 2 75x xxx must have been built well before that time - probably back in 1971.

The "79" on your VIN simply identifies yours as a European model - without the US rear marker lights and US emissions modifications. It should have come from the factory with a high compression, solid lifter cam motor.

It will fit the UK requirements ... and save you heaps on Rego costs!

[danmiddle2]

Rainer Hopfengart was extremely helpful and has provided me with the information that I wanted. It turns out that it was first registered in December 1971. Good news for me; as that will mean that it is tax exempt in the UK if I can get it re-registered.