Greetings from new member, "new" Opel owner

[njsanders1]

As we say here in Texas, "Howdy, y'all!" Well, really, not all of us say it...in fact, I don't know that I've ever used the word "howdy" for anything other than a joke...but I digress.

I wanted to pop in, introduce myself, and my new project: a stock 1972 GT that I plan to make my everyday driver. My dad bought the car a year ago, mainly out of sympathy for the seller's situation (another story for another time), and it sat in his barn from the day he brought it home. (For some strange reason, he's been more interested in finishing out his '59 Caddy Convertible....go figure.) I expressed some interest in taking it off his hands, and with a little haggling over the details, he invited me to come get it. I didn't know what to expect when I got there, as I really hadn't taken the time to examine it prior to this, except to note that it was a 1.9 instead of a 1.1, and it had a Weber carb vs. the Solex -- all pluses. When I finally did arrive to start the "restoration" (i.e., strip it of its guts and start preparing for paint and body work), I noted the bit of rust in both front floorpans...and the nicely cut piece of particle board to cover the rusted area in which (and on top of which) sat the battery. After a night on the charger, however, and a couple of sprays of starting fluid, it fired right up -- after sitting for a year! I was very pleasantly surprised. Then, of course, I had to back it out of the barn and take it up to the garage to start working on it. Well, without the knowledge of exactly where to find reverse, and several minutes of pushing down and such on the shifter, I gave up on the elusive "R" gear and just pushed it out. Afterwards, however, it drove happily up the hill to the shop...only breaking the alternator belt along the way... :-) I was able to get the interior almost completely stripped, revealing along the way a good bit of wiring that needs some "attention" and the aforementioned rust areas, but now the once-black-but-now-faded-to-white-in-places seats, mangled carpet, and rotted package shelf are out and ready for their soon-to-be-purchased Recaro and extra padding and heat-shielding added carpets and such.

At the risk of pushing what is appropriate to post here versus some of the other forums, I will post here "as information" what I'm looking to gain informationally from these forums, and you guys and gals can feel free to post replies or send PM's directing me to other threads or sources of information, should you feel so inclined to help me out.

1) Like any new owner, I'm interested in knowing all I can about sources for parts, from general maintenance items, to interior trim, to performance parts.

2) I'm really interested in what I'm reading about 2.2L and 2.4L applications (I mean, an extra 25-30HP would be reeeeally nice), though admittedly, much of the technical details that litter the forums here are way over my head. I mean, I can talk tech to a small degree, but when you start talking about cam mechanics and how many teeth are on the flywheel, I'm gonna go back to reading my network protocol analysis and IEEE specifications for IPv6 and consider YOU the geeks. :-) Seriously, if I'm going to do a swap, I'm going to want to buy the motor in a crate, bolt on the alternator and other externals, drop it in, hook up the electrics, fuel, and cooling system, and burn rubber.

3) I anticipate parts are going to be challenging, at times, to locate, so good sources of info on "direct exchange" parts that are more readily available is like gold. (See #1.) I'm finding some of this from threads in '02 and '03, but I'm sure there have been some changes in the past half-decade-plus in what has been identified, etc.

4) First thoughts for "upgrades" are the obvious ones (well, to me, at least): alternator (for a higher output unit), oil cooler, exhaust, shocks, sway bars, wheels & tires, and the all-important stereo system. (After all, this WILL be a daily driver as I mentioned.) Any other suggestions for a 1.9L commuter GT would be greatly appreciated.

5) Air conditioning....I mean, this IS Texas. The "2-75" variety might get me through the first summer, but eventually I'm going to need one.

6) 4-wheel disk brakes might be more of a nicety, so I'm interested in knowing if anyone has made the infamous "Isuzu Impulse" (or another) exchange, and if so, whether or not it was really worth the trouble.

[Aardvaark]

Welcome Nick.
You're at the right place for restoring your GT. Many here have done so and will be happy to steer you in the right direction. Some even live in Texas!
Unfortunatly I only really know about Opel Manta's and Asconas so will only offer moral support with any confidence for your GT project.
I will sayt that some folks have added ac to their GT's, either with an original system from GM or ARA. Ot they have installed custom systems using modern components. I just did the later on my Manta.
Good luck!

[dallasmanta]

Nick, welcome to the group. Your location shows to be McKinney TX. Boy are you in luck This is the link to the Texas group site texasopel : Opel Club of Texas, OMC
You just missed the group meeting in Sugarland TX two weekends ago, Here is the link to the photos from sugarland http://groups.yahoo.com/group/texaso...81237/pic/list
Rodney is the president of the Texas group and lives in just north and east of you in Leonard TX. He has lots of opel stuff. You also have access to lots of brain trust in Dallas area on anything Opels. Call email or PM if you need help Ron