Designer of GT?

[ap81590]

I was curious if anyone knew to what extent Chuck Jordan was involved with the design and production of the GT. Does anyone know about his involvement with Opel, particularly the GT

[heimue]

Charles M. "Chuck" Jordan was heading the Opel Styling Department from 1967 - 1970. He was not involved with the original design of the GT, but was essentially impacting the "final development" from the experimental to the production stage. He did all the design changes necessary to make a producible car out of the experimental GT.
The original design was led by Clare McKichan, Chucks predecessor from 1962 - 1967. Clare was specifically sent by Bill Mitchell (GM head of styling) from Detroit to Germany, to design "a sporty car on the base of a reliable, high volume production car".

Sources: "Das grosse Opel GT Buch" 1988, "Motor Trend" July 1971

Dieter

[Gary]

I had the opportunity to speak with Murad Nassar, one of the GT design team members at the OMC picnic in 2000. He was mainly involved in the design of the Manta but he mentioned that day how the GT was destined to have chrome trim in the wheel arches. He "insisted that it was not needed and that it would take away from the clean lines of the GT." They listened. Thanks, Murad!

He and Chuck Jordan were at this years OMC Picnic. They told some very interesting stories about their Opel design adventures. I really enjoyed that.

[pastopel]

Originally Posted by Gary but he mentioned that day how the GT was destined to have chrome trim in the wheel arches. He "insisted that it was not needed and that it would take away from the clean lines of the GT." They listened. Thanks, Murad! He and Chuck Jordan were at this years OMC Picnic. They told some very interesting stories about their Opel design adventures. I really enjoyed that.

Didn't that come as an option?


Did anyone film that .... forget that....

[namba209]

As I remember, there were quite a few folks there with video cameras and saw a few filming the talks. It was an interesting discussion. The one thing I wanted to ask but couldn't due to the overwhelming amount of questions asked and answered, who was the looney toon that designed the headlight mechanism.

BTW, I jsut received SEP. OCT, and NOV issues of the Blitz in the mail, with pics of more of the OMC festivities, including the three folks we're discussing. Also, to my surprise, a pic of the big rig and Willit? on the trailer, and one with the engine installed taken at the picnic.

And to go along with an earlier thread, included in the package was an officer election ballot, that had other info included. Time for the OMC members to stand up and be counted.

[GTJIM]

Originally Posted by namba209 The one thing I wanted to ask but couldn't due to the overwhelming amount of questions asked and answered, who was the looney toon that designed the headlight mechanism.

That headlight mechanisim is one of the classic car designs of the 20th century ...... Take it from an old engineer - it is the ravages of time and previous owners that is the problem and NOT the basic design!

[spamseptictank]

Check out this prototype from 1964.
http://www.wallaceracing.com/xp833.htm
Look closely at the headlights and hood bulge. See anything familiar?
FWIW.
Dave

[spdkilz02]

wow thats looks like something i have seen before...

[spdkilz02]

just saw this one.... http://www.barrett-jackson.com/event....asp?id=181761

[pastopel]

So........ Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by spamseptictank Check out this prototype from 1964. http://www.wallaceracing.com/xp833.htm Look closely at the headlights and hood bulge. See anything familiar? FWIW. Dave

Just checked this one out,--- and I was just wondering:confused Is it just me or does the front end look like a suspicious black Trans AM in a movie with Burt Reynolds? I guess even Pontiac had its chance at making history once
Oh well we all cant look back to the future and realize that the GT would stand the test of time and still enjoy them as we do.

[2 Fast 4 U]

But you'll have to admit that there is a resemblance in the front with the GT

[BDD]

Absolutely. Those egg shaped headlight covers are very distinctive to the Gt design. I think they look a lot better than the rectangular flip up ones. At least when they're closed. The rounded shape goes much better with a curvy design. Rectangular light covers would be out of place. That then probably determined that they would have to roll over around a longitudinal axis instead of flipping up around a 'transverse' axis.

[wrangler]

Originally Posted by spdkilz02 just saw this one.... http://www.barrett-jackson.com/event....asp?id=181761

In case anyone missed it, that Banshee ended up going for $210,600. Would love to have been able to see it in person.

[Motor Mouth]

Hey guys. If we do a search you'll notice this has come up before, but previously was a 'which came first Vette or GT'.

Anyway to just to 'chuck' my two pence worth in, can I just say that we've missed one other person out, Erhard Schnell.

From my research and as far as I was always aware Chuck Jordan was the Director of Styling but Clare MacKichan was responsible for sowing the seeds in designing the Monza GT of 1962 and it was Erhard Schnell who created the first drafts of, Project 1484....... and that became the Opel GT.

Ultimately Jordan provided lead the team but Schnell is possibly the man we should thank, those Germans are just so good at everything.

[benncojr]

Originally Posted by wrangler In case anyone missed it, that Banshee ended up going for $210,600. Would love to have been able to see it in person.

I thought it went for $214,500. Still a very high price!!