GT from Europe or USA?

jasje · 10-07-2004

I'm new on this board and I life in Holland. Sometimes you see here a GT. I like to know what the differece is between the European GT and the Califonie GT. They say the USA-version is better but how can I reconice them form outside?

Please tell me more. Thx all.

GT

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jpavlack · 10-07-2004

Well, for one the California GT has no rust!

Burst · 10-07-2004

I wouldn't say no rust. Less than elsewhere maybe. When I read here about rotted out floor pans and such, makes me glad I don't live in the upper midwest anymore. I hated sending a car to the scrapyard every 5 years or so from terminal body rot.

DennisGardiner · 10-07-2004

The USA version Opel GTs had a few differences.
NOW, before my head gets cut off, this is obviously NOT a comprehensive list!
1. USA GT turn signals in grill, Euro version are halogen clear glass passing lights.
2. USA GT curved lights above bumper are originally marker lamps only (people in the US have modified), Euro curve lens verions are turn signals.
3. USA GT wiper washer pump is foot operated by pumping the ball on the floor board intermitant wiper switch, Euro verions the washer had a electric pump & the switch was on the turn signal stalk, as a push button.
Note: 1969 GTs in the USA also had a turn signal stalk swithc, BUT it was for the hi/low beam switching. 1970-73 GT you pulled the stalk back towards you to swithc between hi/low beam.
4. US GTs have rear side marker lights, Euro GTs Do Not!
5. 1971-1973 US GTs had low compression 1.9L engines, Euro versions stuck with the higher output version.

Obviously there are more differences, but as you see, most are not too critical, or hard to switch and swap. An exception would be the rear side markers, which would require body work to eliminate.

One other thing I did not mention, but should be obvious, US GTs had a Mile calibration speedometer, and obviously the Euro GT had a Kilometer speedometer.
Dennis 73 GT, 73 Manta

opelgt722002 · 10-07-2004

There was also a lower priced version of the GT (J) which was not imported into the US but was sold in Europe.

soybean · 10-07-2004

Originally Posted by opelgt722002

There was also a lower priced version of the GT (J) which was not imported into the US but was sold in Europe.

What was the difference in those? Just curious. Jarrell

opelgt722002 · 10-07-2004

Originally Posted by soybean

What was the difference in those? Just curious. Jarrell

Here is the link to a thread of this item.
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=gt%2Fj

jasje · 10-07-2004

Thx a lot you alll. Aspecialy DennisGardiner. I know a lot more now. I was asking because when i buy a GT (yes, I have plans) I need to see quick what kind of car it is. I know the story's about the bad cars in Europe so I am looking for a US-car. Thx again.

soybean · 10-07-2004

Thank you, the thread was very informative. Jarrell

azzi · 10-08-2004

I suppose it all depends on what you want to spend.

If money is no-object, get a restored one from Europe.

If you want to do all the work yourself, with a cheap doner car, get a UK or European one, but they are bound to be a little rusty.

If you want a non-messed-about-with original with the best body you can get, go for a california import. They seem to be the pinacle of success with good rust(ish) free cars.

Despite popular belief, USA Spec cars are just as rusty (if not more so) than the examples in the UK. They have rain and snow just like everyone else. So unless it comes from a Hot climate like California. You may as well get a UK or European one. Atleast in the UK if A GT is still in one peice it means it must have had SOME protection from the elements to last 30+ years. I know looking through the Gallery some of the USA vehicles I would have just scrapped then rather than restored them.

Personally I have a California Import from '69 imported into the UK in 1982 and still has the original battery tray. Not bad for a daily driver, huh?

jasje · 10-08-2004

Wow...that's not bad. I had heard that the place behind the frontwheels is not so good in the European version because it has open holes original. By the " US-version " it is closed so there can't be water (read rust) into it.

namba209 · 10-08-2004

Azzi, a bit off topic, but I noticed you have listed a GT turbo, could you possibly post a pic or two or more of the turbo setup? Curious minds are at work here.

GTJIM · 10-08-2004

Jasje - there is a company in Holland which imports US version GTs from mostly California - Opel GT Suselbeek
They have a web site www.gt-teile.de/pag/sus.html

10-07-2004	#1 (permalink)
jasje Opeler Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gelderland Posts: 24 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	GT from Europe or USA? I'm new on this board and I life in Holland. Sometimes you see here a GT. I like to know what the differece is between the European GT and the Califonie GT. They say the USA-version is better but how can I reconice them form outside? Please tell me more. Thx all. GT More...More...

10-08-2004	#10 (permalink)
azzi 1969 GT Turbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake District, UK Posts: 99 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I suppose it all depends on what you want to spend. If money is no-object, get a restored one from Europe. If you want to do all the work yourself, with a cheap doner car, get a UK or European one, but they are bound to be a little rusty. If you want a non-messed-about-with original with the best body you can get, go for a california import. They seem to be the pinacle of success with good rust(ish) free cars. Despite popular belief, USA Spec cars are just as rusty (if not more so) than the examples in the UK. They have rain and snow just like everyone else. So unless it comes from a Hot climate like California. You may as well get a UK or European one. Atleast in the UK if A GT is still in one peice it means it must have had SOME protection from the elements to last 30+ years. I know looking through the Gallery some of the USA vehicles I would have just scrapped then rather than restored them. Personally I have a California Import from '69 imported into the UK in 1982 and still has the original battery tray. Not bad for a daily driver, huh? Last edited by azzi; 10-08-2004 at 01:12 PM..

10-08-2004	#13 (permalink)
GTJIM 4246 Post Club Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,524 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	"Local" Supply Jasje - there is a company in Holland which imports US version GTs from mostly California - Opel GT Suselbeek They have a web site www.gt-teile.de/pag/sus.html

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10-07-2004	#2 (permalink)
jpavlack Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 124 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Well, for one the California GT has no rust!

10-07-2004	#3 (permalink)
Burst Opeler Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 96 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I wouldn't say no rust. Less than elsewhere maybe. When I read here about rotted out floor pans and such, makes me glad I don't live in the upper midwest anymore. I hated sending a car to the scrapyard every 5 years or so from terminal body rot.

10-07-2004	#4 (permalink)
DennisGardiner Kalifornia Kid Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Soulsbyville, CA Posts: 267 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	The USA version Opel GTs had a few differences. NOW, before my head gets cut off, this is obviously NOT a comprehensive list! 1. USA GT turn signals in grill, Euro version are halogen clear glass passing lights. 2. USA GT curved lights above bumper are originally marker lamps only (people in the US have modified), Euro curve lens verions are turn signals. 3. USA GT wiper washer pump is foot operated by pumping the ball on the floor board intermitant wiper switch, Euro verions the washer had a electric pump & the switch was on the turn signal stalk, as a push button. Note: 1969 GTs in the USA also had a turn signal stalk swithc, BUT it was for the hi/low beam switching. 1970-73 GT you pulled the stalk back towards you to swithc between hi/low beam. 4. US GTs have rear side marker lights, Euro GTs Do Not! 5. 1971-1973 US GTs had low compression 1.9L engines, Euro versions stuck with the higher output version. Obviously there are more differences, but as you see, most are not too critical, or hard to switch and swap. An exception would be the rear side markers, which would require body work to eliminate. One other thing I did not mention, but should be obvious, US GTs had a Mile calibration speedometer, and obviously the Euro GT had a Kilometer speedometer. Dennis 73 GT, 73 Manta

10-07-2004	#5 (permalink)
opelgt722002 GT Owner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 228 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	There was also a lower priced version of the GT (J) which was not imported into the US but was sold in Europe.

10-07-2004	#8 (permalink)
jasje Opeler Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gelderland Posts: 24 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Thx a lot you alll. Aspecialy DennisGardiner. I know a lot more now. I was asking because when i buy a GT (yes, I have plans) I need to see quick what kind of car it is. I know the story's about the bad cars in Europe so I am looking for a US-car. Thx again.

10-07-2004	#9 (permalink)
soybean Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reidsville N.C. Posts: 2,160 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Thank you, the thread was very informative. Jarrell

10-08-2004	#11 (permalink)
jasje Opeler Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gelderland Posts: 24 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Wow...that's not bad. I had heard that the place behind the frontwheels is not so good in the European version because it has open holes original. By the " US-version " it is closed so there can't be water (read rust) into it.

10-08-2004	#12 (permalink)
namba209 6,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 6,033 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Azzi, a bit off topic, but I noticed you have listed a GT turbo, could you possibly post a pic or two or more of the turbo setup? Curious minds are at work here.

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