69 Kadette Rallye

[Mike Preble]

I am the new owner of a '69 Kadette Rallye. Orange with standard flat black hood. This is the one in the background of a recent Ebay ad. Jenny and I drove up to Kingman, AZ and "persuaded" it up on our trailer. Another 5 hours later it was sitting in our back yard.

Now the condition. No rot anywhere except a small area, around 3" X 3", behind the right front wheel well. Some minor surface rust in a couple of other areas. Probably a dozen small dents on the body with the worst one in front of the right front wheel. Front bumper a little twisted. Body lines are straight down both sides and both doors close easily with good gaps all around. No dents on roof. Missing rear tail lights but could be in trunk.

Got hood open and engine is 1.9L and complete except no alternator(I have 6 of those) Pulled plugs and shot oil down each cylinder. Engine rotated easily with no unexpected noises or hangups. Engine not origonal as has extra front bolts on head. Probably low compression.

All rubber has gone the way of the rubber gods in this heat. Anything that was rubber is gone. Window rubber, suspension, door seals, ect.... All glass is intact with no major scratches. Also, no keys. Can't get trunk open or unlock steering column. Rolls fine. Brakes not locked up. Factory rear sway bar.

I don't know what I am going to do with it at this point. If I keep it I will have to get rid of one of my GTs. I will update as work goes on.

Mike

[tekenaar]

Uh-oh, look out, Mike . . . Kadetts really grow on you . . . I should know!

Oh, if you have tail-light housings, I have a set of acceptable tail-light lenses, we can talk when you get that far. . . . replaced my originals with NOS a few years ago. Have to look, but know I didn't toss them!

[Gordy]

Looks pretty good. Looks like a good solid car to begin wih which is the way to go. I was at a bone yard in Wisc. Sat. am, but their 4 Kadetts were very bad. They had a 1.1 with dual carbs, a Rallye with a 1.9 but I think the cars have been there since the early 70s! I will post some pictures as soon as they upload

[opelbits]

Mike-

I still have the 70 Kadett rally that I'm taking apart.
If you need a very straight rear bumper and guards, I have one.

[Ray Morley]

Hey Mike.......as you can see by my Avatar I have a 70 Kadett Rallye.

Feel free to ask any questions you like as I am sure between myself, Otto and the other Kadetters we should be able to solve your problems.

Ray

[Mike Preble]

There is nothing quite like the experience of climbing into a car that small critters had lived in. And some had even died there.

Pulled back seat out and got to the trunk latch from the inside. Trunk was completely full. The person before me must have worked in concrete or some other form of construction like that. Two 5# sledge hammers, multiple shovels and a 20 ton jack later I got to the Opel parts.

Found the gauge package, A few Webers, 69 Head and multiple spare parts. Otto, what is that item in the first picture? I was going to throw it away but not sure if I will need it here in the desert.

Gene is going to send me some keys to try in the ignition and trunk. The only thing I am really missing are the rear tail light housings and lenses. All the rubber is gone but I will be buying new whenever I get to it. Isn't the front and rear suspension the same as for the 69 GT?

Thanks for the help, everyone. I will keep you informed.

Mike

[opel kid]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble There is nothing quite like the experience of climbing into a car that small critters had lived in. And some had even died there. Pulled back seat out and got to the trunk latch from the inside. Trunk was completely full. The person before me must have worked in concrete or some other form of construction like that. Two 5# sledge hammers, multiple shovels and a 20 ton jack later I got to the Opel parts. Found the gauge package, A few Webers, 69 Head and multiple spare parts. Otto, what is that item in the first picture? I was going to throw it away but not sure if I will need it here in the desert. Gene is going to send me some keys to try in the ignition and trunk. The only thing I am really missing are the rear tail light housings and lenses. All the rubber is gone but I will be buying new whenever I get to it. Isn't the front and rear suspension the same as for the 69 GT? Thanks for the help, everyone. I will keep you informed. Mike

woo hoo looks like a yard of treasure!

[namba209]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Otto, what is that item in the first picture? I was going to throw it away but not sure if I will need it here in the desert. Mike

Mike, I can tell you for sure the cylindrical looking thing with the aluminum lines and hoses is a GM rotary AC pump. Could be the plastic thingies are the enclosures for an AC system, but I'm not sure. I also see a pulley in the background, could be the second crank pulley for the AC. HTH.

[Mike Preble]

Actually, I knew it is a complete a/c system that came off this car. From the shear number of freon cans in the car, >12, I suspeact it had a leak. I will change it over to R-134 coolant with a smaller compressor like I am doing with my Manta.

I also have the complete 69 emission setup with AIR pump and intake/exhaust manifold with the tubes going into the exhaust manifold. I will not be putting that back on the car. My Opels have never had problems passing emissions here in Tucson especially with a Weber carb and Pertronix ignition.

Mike

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble There is nothing quite like the experience of . . . Pulled back seat out and . . . I got to the Opel parts. Found the gauge package, A few Webers, 69 Head and multiple spare parts. Otto, what is that item in the first picture? I was going to throw it away but not sure if I will need it here in the desert. Gene is going to send me some keys to try . . . Thanks for the help, everyone. I will keep you informed. Mike

. . . maybe this will help . . .

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Actually, I knew it is a complete a/c system that . . . I will change [it] over to R-134 coolant with a smaller compressor like I am doing with my Manta. I also have the complete 69 emission setup with AIR pump and intake/exhaust manifold with the tubes going into the exhaust manifold. I will not be putting that back on the car. My Opels have never had problems passing emissions here in Tucson especially with a Weber carb and Pertronix ignition. Mike

. . . uh, Mike . . . I couldn't talk you out of that pump and its mounting bracket, could I?! DIBS!!! everybody!

[Mike Preble]

Otto,

If you are dibbing the AIR pump you can have it. I will have to look for the mounting bracket as all I see are what appear to be alternater brackets, two of those. Do you need the control valve or distributor? Email or IM me and we can talk further.

I only have about an inch of critter droppings and other items to get out. The trunk had a carpet in it and once removed the metal underneath is rust free and solid.

Mike

[opelspyder]

Well as my title says, this has now become my new Kadett Rallye. I received it Thursday around Midnight. I was a little bit negative about the car at first, guy hauled it about 100 miles of the trip with a tow dolly-a little unprofessional- and the trunk under neath seemed to be pushed up...guessing from a lift of some type a long time ago. After some cleaning and evaluation, I am liking it more and more. It is a 1.9 4 speed. It is a 70 built late in 1969. Interior was pretty well stripped...mising seat brackets...hint. I pulled the front bumper off, and pulled out the fender, did a little dolly work on the front and hosed it out real good. Looking a lot better. Waiting for one more Kadett Rallye from Idaho to evaluate what I am going to do. The underneath of this car is solid as can be.
Keith

[timemachine]

Nice cars Mike and opelspyder! I've given up on finding a kadette out east, but I know of a rustbucket with a full set of glass if anyone needs it. Not a lot else unfortunately.

Jim

[opelspyder]

No, this is the car that Mike had at the top of the thread, just cleaned up a little.
Keith

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by opelspyder Well as my title says, this has now become my new Kadett Rallye. I received it Thursday around Midnight. I was a little bit negative about the car at first, guy hauled it about 100 miles of the trip with a tow dolly-a little unprofessional- and the trunk under neath seemed to be pushed up...guessing from a lift of some type a long time ago. After some cleaning and evaluation, I am liking it more and more. It is a 1.9 4 speed. It is a 70 built late in 1969. Interior was pretty well stripped...mising seat brackets...hint. I pulled the front bumper off, and pulled out the fender, did a little dolly work on the front and hosed it out real good. Looking a lot better. Waiting for one more Kadett Rallye from Idaho to evaluate what I am going to do. The underneath of this car is solid as can be. Keith

. . . is this the one that's going to be used ultimately as basis for your "sprint" conversion?

[opelspyder]

To be continued.... on the "sprint" car. I am trying to take a break from working on the Kadett Sprint build, one to get other Opels done, and two, not to rush what I am wanting to do. I am evaluating right now, lets say. I do have my engine being built now, will post some on that in a few weeks
Keith

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by opelspyder To be continued.... on the "sprint" car. I am trying to take a break from working on the Kadett Sprint build, one to get other Opels done, and two, not to rush what I am wanting to do. I am evaluating right now, lets say. I do have my engine being built now, will post some on that in a few weeks Keith

. . . AW, come on, Keith!!! . . . uh, didn't notice "being"!