My First Opel GT :D

[WeaponX]

hey there. this is my first post on the forums just a little info about me: i currently live in mississauga ontario, and recently i just discovered the Opel GT. it is such an awesome and unique car and i definatly wanna get one currently i am a mechanical engineering student and own a 1999 toyota corolla. i am trying to sell the corolla for as much as i can so i have some money to buy an opel. i want an opel that runs so i can atleast use it while im restoring it. i have never restored a car before but would love to start. i found this for sale:

1971 Opel GT - Kingston Collector Cars For Sale - Kijiji Kingston

i think it should be fairly good to do some work on as it did run. i asked the seller to see if it runs currently. it is fairly rusty so im also looking up good ways to fix it. if im way over my head please let me know, i dont mind harsh but true criticism.

ps: i am 19 years old, if that makes any difference.

[SteveGT]

Welcome aboard WeaponX....pull up a chair and get ready to learn about Opel's....these folks on here are ready & waiting to help you with the restore


SteveGT

[guyopel]

Welcome to the site , good luck on your search .
I would recommend that you keep looking that car has Major rust damage in the areas that can be seen in photos .
Keep looking you will find a good car that you can drive and work on and that is safe ( Good brakes and steering )
If you do a" Search " under what to look for when buying a Opel that will help you alot .
John

[kwilford]

Moderators Note: Thread moved to the Introductions Forum for greater exposure

Welcome to OpelGT.com. Yet another Canuck among us! And (the Dynamics & Vibrations and Fluid Mechanics Gods, I mean Professors, be willing) another Engineer! In about three more years, so we should be able to find you work in the oil patch by then...

Anyway, I agree with the comment that the Opel shown looks too rusty to take on as a "Driving Restoration". In spite of it ostensibly being from Alberta, we salt our roads out here, although somewhat less than in Ontario, so Alberta Opels are often pretty rusty. That said, Opels in Ontario (and Quebec and much of the Maritimes) seldom survive if they have been used in the winter for more than two or three years. There are a few Ontario Opels worth buying, but they mostly belong to Rob Cassidy (aka Rionart) in Scarborough (close to Toronto). So my advice is to keep looking, and if you're in the financial position to do so, try to buy an Opel from a dry, rust-less environment, such as B.C. or Arizona or California.

[WeaponX]

thanks a lot for the warm welcome guys
yea i agree with you all on the amount of rust that is on the car, it was a huge turn off for me. there is another one i found that looks fairly good:

NEW PRICE Opel GT - Toronto Other Cars For Sale - Kijiji Toronto

but to be honest, that one is a little too good, if you know what i mean. its also a bit out of my price range. but yea i'll keep searching, if need be, i might just get one imported from the states, as there are some good ones there. i have one question though, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest) how difficult would you say it is to restore an opel? ive looked at fixing rust and rust holes, that seems very simple, but ive never done any engine work. are there any specific tools required that i should account for as well when im making my budget?

[P.J. Romano]

Originally Posted by WeaponX i have one question though, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest) how difficult would you say it is to restore an opel? ive looked at fixing rust and rust holes, that seems very simple, but ive never done any engine work. are there any specific tools required that i should account for as well when im making my budget?

Welcome to the Opel GT world.
It is not simple to rate difficulty of restoring Opel GT. It very much depends of the initial condition of the car, your general automotive repair knowledge, available facilities (driveway ), tools, etc. Did I mention marital status?
It can be easy but expensive if you rely on professionals to restore your car or it can be a mix of high and low times if you do it yourself. Regardless, the end result is priceless, so the long hours under the car and spent dollars will be forgotten the first time you hit the road.

Few things make GT relatively easy to restore:
1. Excellent availability of spare parts, either new from Opel GT Source (OGTS) and few other suppliers or used parts through the eBay.
2. This fantastic forum with broad knowledge base and members more than willing to help.

Warning: Opelitus is incurable and you appear too have caught the virus .

[deanh74_2]

Welcome to the forum. Don't hesitate to ask a question, someone here probably knows the answer or something danm close. Everyone here is very helpful and will help in just about any way!!

Dean

[jlthunder]

The car doesn't look beyond hope, but I agree with everyone here that this would not be a good rolling restoration. Remember, these cars are of unibody construction, so the more metal you have to start with, the stronger the car will be.

[Terror]

Hey!

I'm also looking for my first Opel, and inquired about that car in Picton a couple weeks ago. On my request for more information, here's what the seller said:

"85000 miles, manual,Car is complete nothing missing and some spares, Engine was running when put away Plugs were removed and I put some oil down the cylinders occasionally rolled over by hand . Floors are good."

I'm still considering it, but a little turned off right now since he's not willing to deliver it even though he's got a trailer.