Re-introduction

[alfred]

Hi all!
Those of you that want a little story read on, those that don't; you can just look at the pictures!

Well I've had a GT since '99. I got it as my highschool graduation present. I got it running that first summer, I drove it around for a little while and then started architecture school... That didn't leave me any time for myself let alone any hobbies I wanted to have. Well I finally finished school, B.S. and Masters in Arch. last December. I've been getting my yard ready to bring the GT to my house to get back into it. Well as is always the case my plans changed.

Two weeks ago I came across this GT on craigslist for sale here in the metroplex. I went out and looked at it, I came back to the forum and researched the posts from when the guy selling it first bought it. I thought it was a pretty good buy and got it this Wednesday night! So check out the pictures and let me know what you think!

Ok. So I'm not done yet! You can continue reading if I haven't bored you yet. Yesterday I was wanting to get it inspected and registered. I found out that because of the out of state plates I need to inspect it first. Well it wouldn't pass because it didn't have a catalytic converter so I went to the local place I usually go to for muffler work and they installed one for 150 bucks and I passed the inspection but by then the tax office was closed. My first question to you Texas guys is: do I really need the cat? I've already paid and have it on there but it's right in the middle of the exhaust line and it really lowered my clearance because it sticks down quite a bit.

Continuing, today I drove to Dallas and back and I'm amazed at how well she drives! I'm loving everything about this little car. Anyways, this afternoon I was walking the dogs with my wife and saw that the local high school was having a car show so we decided to ask and we entered the car in it right away! So we had our first car show this weekend! We didn't win anything but it was a blast! and so far yesterday and today I've had at least 10 people go out of their way to come talk about the car!

For those of you that are wondering I gave my old GT to my brother, so he's gonna continue trying to work on it. Let me know what you think of her! The reason I decided to buy it was because it has the body work done that I had in mind for my other GT so that hassle is over with. And also the guy I bought it from really babied her, he owned it for two years in Oregon and supposedly the previous owner (before him) used it as a daily driver so he got it mechanically sound.

Hey Otto, if you read this, I'd like for you to look at it and give me some tips on what to do next. I can drive it up to work one of these days and I'll buy lunch at Bone Daddy's or something.

[jeff denton]

Otto is gonna have to do a little fix in your thread title before lunch.
Welcome to the GT club, Alfred! That's a great looking car you snagged.

[Sparky73]

Not sure if the laws in Texas are different, but I thought since the GT didn't originally come with a catalytic converter, legally it didn't need one.

[officertyo]

Originally Posted by Sparky73 Not sure if the laws in Texas are different, but I thought since the GT didn't originally come with a catalytic converter, legally it didn't need one.

I agree with you. I am not sure on Texas law but that does not sound right to me. I am pretty sure no state can force you to install a cat on a car that did not come with one. I do not think this even happens in California, but the Cali guys can tell us.

[BQS4]

Alfred;
The guy I bought my 75 Wagon from is in Ft Worth. I did most of the "customizing" on it while it still had no plates, then he registered it in TX. I was there when he had the inspection done and the re was no mention, let alone looking to see if the car had a cat, still doesn't. I think you might want to check the emission laws for TX. BTW, nice GT, enjoy it!!

Originally Posted by alfred Hi all! Those of you that want a little story read on, those that don't; you can just look at the pictures! Well I've had a GT since '99. I got it as my highschool graduation present. I got it running that first summer, I drove it around for a little while and then started architecture school... That didn't leave me any time for myself let alone any hobbies I wanted to have. Well I finally finished school, B.S. and Masters in Arch. last December. I've been getting my yard ready to bring the GT to my house to get back into it. Well as is always the case my plans changed. Two weeks ago I came across this GT on craigslist for sale here in the metroplex. I went out and looked at it, I came back to the forum and researched the posts from when the guy selling it first bought it. I thought it was a pretty good buy and got it this Wednesday night! So check out the pictures and let me know what you think! Ok. So I'm not done yet! You can continue reading if I haven't bored you yet. Yesterday I was wanting to get it inspected and registered. I found out that because of the out of state plates I need to inspect it first. Well it wouldn't pass because it didn't have a catalytic converter so I went to the local place I usually go to for muffler work and they installed one for 150 bucks and I passed the inspection but by then the tax office was closed. My first question to you Texas guys is: do I really need the cat? I've already paid and have it on there but it's right in the middle of the exhaust line and it really lowered my clearance because it sticks down quite a bit. Continuing, today I drove to Dallas and back and I'm amazed at how well she drives! I'm loving everything about this little car. Anyways, this afternoon I was walking the dogs with my wife and saw that the local high school was having a car show so we decided to ask and we entered the car in it right away! So we had our first car show this weekend! We didn't win anything but it was a blast! and so far yesterday and today I've had at least 10 people go out of their way to come talk about the car! For those of you that are wondering I gave my old GT to my brother, so he's gonna continue trying to work on it. Let me know what you think of her! The reason I decided to buy it was because it has the body work done that I had in mind for my other GT so that hassle is over with. And also the guy I bought it from really babied her, he owned it for two years in Oregon and supposedly the previous owner (before him) used it as a daily driver so he got it mechanically sound. Hey Otto, if you read this, I'd like for you to look at it and give me some tips on what to do next. I can drive it up to work one of these days and I'll buy lunch at Bone Daddy's or something.

[RallyBob]

Federally, the only Opels that had catalytic converters were those that were sold in California in 1975 only. No other Opels in the US were required to fit a cat!

[michaedo]

Here in California no smog requirement of any kind for cars
75 and older. (whew!) Went in, paid my fee, left with the
tags. I like that.

[namba209]

Originally Posted by michaedo Here in California no smog requirement of any kind for cars 75 and older. (whew!) Went in, paid my fee, left with the tags. I like that.

Not quite true, Michaedo. Any car that required a smog check has to have that smog equipment originally installed on the car in working condition. CARB rules are that, any time a car is resold, the owner has to have a smog check done prior to the sale. Found that out when I wanted to put a 2000 roller cam 4-bolt main 5.7L FI engine in the 75 monza. I have to retain the smog pump and catalytic convertor, and they have to be functional.

[alfred]

Thanks for the compliments, I'm extremely happy with it! (thanks for catching that typo too!) I guess the cat. is now on there but I know that sooner or later I'm gonna go over a speed bump or something and damage it so when that day comes I'll do away with it. One of the guys I met at the car show told me to register the car as a classic and then there won't be any type of emissions requirements. But then I don't know would happen if I get caught driving it NOT to a parade or a mechanic or wherever classic cars are supposed to be driven, I wan't to drive it to work more and more!

[yellaopelgt]

Check on-line with the DMV for your state. Here in WI. any vehicle registered as a classic can only be driven during certain months and you have to have 1 or 2 others cars registered in your name.One time through emissions ,and the registration/plates is good for life! I'm sure this varies from state to state but if I am correct.....a vehicle registered as an antique is only allowed to be driven under regulated circumstances. IE parades etc. at least here up north thats the rule......there are loop-holes,you just need to find them!!!
HTH
Joe

[opelenvy]

Nice GT Alfred! I gotta say, it's screaming for some different wheels.
I have my GT registered as Antique car. I found the details on TXDOT site before I registered it. There are two categories, Antique and Classic.
I have Antique. I use old 1973 plates that I got on Ebay, or they will issue you ONE plate for the back of the car. I have has these plates since 2000 with no inspection sticker or registration sticker in the window. I take mine our at least once every two weeks for a "fun run" on one of my favorite twisty roads. I take my son to school once in a while. I have been known to stop by the grocery story on the way home. I get together with some friends one night a month at different watering holes and I always drive the GT unless it is down for work or the weather is bad. Knock on wood (or a fake wood steering wheel) I have never had any questions from the law. That is my personal experiences, others may differ. "Club Activities" can be loosely interpreted if you ask me.
TxDOT-Special Plate Order Application
"Antique Vehicle

Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance.

Antique plates are issued for five-year periods. The registration fee for the five-year period is $50.30 ($10 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1921 and subsequent years and $40.30 ($8 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1920 and prior years. Fees are reduced $10/$8 for each year of the period that has elapsed at the time the application is filed."

"Classic Auto
Classic license plates are issued to cars that are 25 or more years old. Unlike antiques, which cannot be used for regular transportation or carry advertising, classic license plates require a vehicle to be fully registered like any other vehicle, allowing it to be operated on any roadway. A specialty plate fee of $15 is charged in addition to the regular registration fee [pdf, 1 page, 943kb] and other applicable fees."

[dallasmanta]

Alfred, nice Gt Welcome to the club. I will be looking for your car as i drive around town.

In answer to your question on the cat for the GT. Texas law does not require any cats to installed to get a safty inspection on our classic cars.

Last year I did have a muffler shop tell me that my Manta would not pass emissions and that I would need to have a cat installed to the tune of $300 because without it He would not inspect the car. I made him bring me the TDOT flyer requiring this intall. He could not produce one so I went to the web and printed up the rules that show our old opels because of age are only required to have a safty inspection not an emission check. I told him that I would report him for trying to force me to install a cat on my car. His tune changed very fast. Went to another station and had my sitcker in 15 minutes.

Ron

[opelenvy]

My 75 Sportwagon was a California car with a cat and I had it removed when I redid the exhaust. Passed inspection fine.

[alfred]

thanks for the responses guys! Yeah, since then I found this site: VI - Emissions

So I'm pretty sure what all that means is that "if it didn't come with a Cat from the factory, then I don't have to have it for inspection". With that being said, I'm just gonna wait for the one installed to dent over a speed bump or something and I'll take it off. I might try to go to the inspection station and see what they have to say. I'll print off that page.

Anyways, what's done is done. Lesson learned. I still have the GT regardless and I drove her to work today, so IT'S ALL GOOD!!!

Hey Ron, I met Otto for lunch at Bone Daddy's the other day, maybe I can meet you for lunch somewhere closer to your neck of the woods. I work at N. Central Expressway and Walnut Hill, and I drive to Arlington everyday. So I'm around...