New Step by Step GT build

[blancojp]

Howdy all!
I got a '70 GT at a good price and will start a restomod type build on it next month. The car spec's have not been defined but the idea is to build the car and come up with kits that can help other people during their build. I had a few health problems the past two years and this vehicle, when completed, will be auctioned off and all proceeds will be donated to the Heart and Cancer foundation.

Now comes the good part, I would like all of you to help out with the initial specifications of the upgrades to be installed on the vehicle. I am not asking any one for money or parts, just what you would like to see done to help out your future vehicle restoration. My shop will be performing all of the work and fully detailed pics of the build and access to parts in kit form will be available to all.

The initial thoughts are:
1) Convertible with working top or wide body racer.
2) Front coil over suspension.
3) 150-200HP engine with either manual or auto transmission.
4) Power steering.
5) Posi rear end.

What are your thoughts ..........

[BQS4]

My thoughts would be for #1, but, rather than a convertible top, how about a targa? The LENK kit is expensive, but, it can be done with one's own imagination. I have my own notes and sketches and such, but, would like to see one done in detail.
JMTCW
Gene

[Paul]

Targas are COOL, yea...... (spoken in my best Bevis and Butthead voice)

[hustlerzlife]

I would love to see a posi rear end.

Also, maybe give a difficulty scale or some other forewarning before the guide. I'm inexperience when it comes to just about anything that deals with cars, and I could easily be sucked into what looks like a simple V6 conversion or anything else of that magnitude.

[benncojr]

Convertable are cool, Targas are very cool that way you keep the same roof line and can have the convertable feel.

Another idea would be to have gull wing doors or the doors that come out then go up.

The engine should be FI and at 150hp or 200hp. Something that can put the kids with their "Pimp out rides" to shame.

Car lowered, with some wide tires.

[Dan-MI]

I'd vote for a convertible. Nothing like having nothing around you but the windshield when cruising back roads. I'd add a 5 speed and not do an automatic. A nice stereo system, but not one of those building shaking boom box ones.

[baz]

how about 300 bhp

pozi loc rear end

slammed to the floor

power steering

front and rear big disc brakes

rear IRS

front unequal length wishbones and coil springs

and a removable front end with new lights


oh wait that's what I'm doing

guess we will have to think of something else for you

if you go to a targa beware of the lenk kit read yxy's account of having lenk fit it (this is a TUV approved kit remember )

i know if i could fine something to use for a bubble i would think of doing mine like the diesel land speed record car but big enough so you could turn your head (well my head the nose can be a problem when it sticks out as far as mine lol )


whats a wide boy racer

btw

here a wide boy was an old term for a spiv / dodgy person like Del boy in "only fools and horses " dont know if you got that one in the states

BBC - Comedy - Only Fools and Horses

but he was a wide boy

[RallyBob]

How about a t-top? Similar motoring experience to a targa, but the chassis stays a bit stiffer and safer. Plus it's different.

Bob

[ungermm]

JB, What a great idea! Do you have thoughts on a budget and where to auction it? I'm sure the members here will be following your honorable efforts closely. Jerry

[blancojp]

There is no budget on this car, I have a vast amounts of parts and they guys are willing to donate their time to get it done. We have a few options as to the auctioning side of the equation but I want to get as much as possible so the donation is great. The main idea comes from my son actually, he wanted to sell his Track T and donate the cash. His car would bring in no more than $30K but I believe a one off custom can bring in lots more. At first, I thought about doing an MG with a V-6 / 5-sp combo but I found this vehicle in WPB for $400 which has rust in all of the areas we have to work on anyways. The other concern was that if the vehicle is too wild, many of you out there will not be able to do some of the work and the project will fail.

At this time, I have in house engines, tranny's and rear ends to do about 20 cars. I have a machine shop with CNC equipment, body shop and paint all in one place so metal and custom parts will not be a problem. But the idea is to create a kit which can be used for other conversions. The other easier way would be to auction off the '72 GT I have with the 4.0l engine or my '67 shelby but I had these cars for many years and it is hard to let go.

This vehicle will be a first because it will be a world wide group effort.

Keep the ideas comming in and by December 15th, I will post a summary which will be the primary spec's for the build. I do however want to start building by January 1st and possibly have the car ready for a few shows before it is auctioned off.

BTW, I do have a set of T-tops from a Datsun 280Z we might be able to use...

[Paul]

I change my vote to T-tops.

Something trick with the doors would look cool but they would have to work with whatever you do with the roof/top. This would help show off the custom interior.

Forward folding front end (sheet metal) to show off a trick suspension, semi-tube frame with coil overs, would be killer.

For an engine, what about something similar to Bob's Turbo/FI CIH

Body work obviously not stock but tasteful...

[Ricky Slade]

Hey, I am kinda' like "baz". If I told you everything You might beat me because of resources available. I am a one man operation. Nah!! just kidding. I really wanted a very classic look, yet some very custom body mod's that would enhance the GT rather than redefine it. Look at my members albums and you will see my choices. (ricky slade). Ford posi 9" shortened rear end with Strange axles. The car has an independent custom frame with a Fatmans Fabricators stainless steel upper and lower A-arm front end & "Carrera coil overs" The car is lengthened 3" inches to 98.0 wheel base. The engine is what the MG folks are doing with the Buick 215 c.i. aluminum V8 see www.D&DFabrication. The fender flares are slightly modified. The car will be all steel, no fiberglass. I have intentions to ventilate the front wheel wells and tilt the front end as one piece. Full ten point roll cage. The wheel and tire combo is American Racing torq thrust II's 17X11 and 17X9 with Goodyear Eagle F-1's. The car has to be black and I really want to do my bodywork in lead, not much body filler.Yep I said lead, gotta be folks that can do this safe. Hurry up and get ahead on the body work I need all the help I can get. Good luck and please post the build with as many pics as possible. See GunnarRacing on the internet. They are into posting their Porshe project builds with lots of good stuff and pictures. Hey you asked..............Maybe we can park them mine and yours side by side one day. I want to finish mine and drive it from Mississippi to California just for the fun of it.

[mschmalenberg]

If I read the first post right the plan is to do all five things on the list and he wants to know if anybody has any other ideas. I like the targas or convertible idea because any extra bracing made for a kit could be used to help sure up a GT with badly rusted rockers, and a modern coil over front suspension would be great.

[Phoenix]

I've always wondered why I never heard the words T-Tops associated with GT modding. I would want to see it just so it would be something different.

Rear Disc

Custom headlights that are still roll over like Manny Wong's

Unique custom hood, maybe like the 2000 Eleanor

Modern paint color

Globe tailights, rather than biscuit tailights

No chrome bumbers, soft body bumpers

Dual back-up lights

Custom Dash, maybe with digital gauges

I could go on and on spitballing ideas just on the body work but most of them would lost in translation.

[RallyBob]

This guy makes t-tops from metal for Karman Ghias, using the factory roof panels. So if you have a decent amount of metalworking tools in your shop, shouldn't be a big deal to replicate it on a GT.

Bob

[Jeff Pozorski]

Great idea!
I would love to see the following "kits" for the GT and someday the Manta:

1) engine mount conversion parts to make the swap to a V6 (or V8) engine easier. Ditto for the 5 speed tranny. Aside from having to cut sheet metal to make things fit the actual "mounting" of the engine and tranny should be a simple bolt-in procedure using the new kits.

2) a/c conversion kits that actually work and are easy to install. Use either new parts or scavange off of more current vehicles that with the "kit" would be a breeze to install.

3) Fuel injection kits to convert our Webers over to FI. Everything should be a simple bolt-on procedure using either new or scavanged parts with the kit to make everything work.

4) Fairly reasonable costs to the above kits. If priced in the upper stratosphere no one will be able to afford them and it will be a wasted effort. They, the kits, should appeal to the masses of Opel owners, not just those with unlimited $$$$.

5) headers anyone for the 1.9 engines? Ones that really fit and work the way they should.

I am sure more thoughts will follow. I would love to see this idea work for everyone!!!

[neuropel]

I've never been a big fan of gullwing doors on a GT, but some kind of custom doors would be cool with a targa or T top. Wonder if anyone has ever custom made something like suicide doors on a GT?

Todd

[wolf32]

First of the year I will be starting on installing a Lenk targa kit. I am planning on taking a lot of pics and making some improvements to the kit. In researching this I was disappointed in the lack of any real good photos and details,so when I am done I hopefully be able to put together a detailed hands-on description of what is involved.

[young_wrench]

I'm thinking sidepipes with a RX-7 rotory engine. Maybe power windows, power steering, and stick with the 4 speed tranny.

[ungermm]

I also have thought about a Datsun T-top when thinking about modifications to a GT. On the other hand, they were popular 20 years ago, but, not so much now. Maybe a powered moon roof! Why not an Aero clone!
I would go with modifications that would keep the character and charm of the GT but update it with the style and performance (EFI) of newer cars.
On the body style mods, definitely lower front and rear and widen the look with wheel flares and/or styling kit. I like to relocate the antenna from the front to the the rear side. I would take the GT doorhandles, toss them, and fit something with a lower profile like a Miata (idea by Opelwasp). A set of low profile side mirrors with remote control would be cool. Although I like the GT gas caps, I would suggest going with a low profile billet gas cover. A custom front billet grill with the blitz integrated in the design. And, I'm working on a modification of the rear side markers that would put them a little more forward from the original position and are 2 inch round red reflector lights with a chrome blitz cover (from the GT front). Just because if would be different, look cool, and I don't want to spend $100 + on a set of new markers.
On the interior, not much needs to be done, but, just look at OpelThom's to be inspired and have fun!

PA073327.JPG

I wish I could be there and be a volunteer on this project,
Jerry

[blancojp]

Thanks for all your ideas so far.
Remember guys, the end result should help other people in their restoration/conversion efforts.

[ConreroGT]

1-Anything that will make it lower and wider.

2-Coilover suspension kit.

3-Suspension parts in general improved on-adjustable etc.....

4-Chop the roof? That would be cool.....custom glass would be a problem though, huh?