Just another lunch hour with an Opel...

[newman27]

Just got back from lunch and had to post this story because I think Opel enthusiasts like to hear this stuff (I know I do).

I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch today and went up to the counter to order. Before I could say anything, the young guy behind the counter says "Is that your Opel?!?" I told him it was and he immediately went into a lengthy story of how his Uncle had a GT and how much he regrets having ever sold it (sounds familiar to many of us I'm sure). I finally get to place my order immediately after which he turns to ask his manager for a special break so he can go out and take pictures. On his way back in (by this time I have my food and am sitting down) two guys at a table stop him and ask "Whose Opel is that?". He points me out, and I kinda wave. Then I hear others in the kitchen discussing the car (I can't see them due to a dividing wall but I can hear them). The news that there's an Opel in the parking lot seems to spread like wildfire (slight exaggeration, but there were a lot of people talking about the car). The two guys at the table that had stopped the Chick-Fil-A guy wait until I'm done eating (they had been done for some time) and stop me to talk as I am leaving. Next thing I know, they are out in the lot with me taking pictures and asking me to keep flipping the headlights over and over. Turns out they both had relatives that owned Opels (one had a wagon BTW, so it isn't just the GTs that stir fond memories). After talking with them for quite a while, I finally get to leave (with what seemed like half the restaurant talking about the Opel). I get back to my desk at work and sit down to start reading the several emails that had come in over the past hour or so. The first one I get to is from one of our sales guys and he is asking me all kinds of business and technical questions about one of our most important customers. I'm typing away furiously trying to answer his long list of questions in order when I get to the last item: "Saw you leaving work in your Opel earlier this week. Cool!!!"

Holy cow, what a lunch!

Matt

[ungermm]

Was Brittany Spears or someone in town? Sounds like the paparazzi were there.

[heimue]

That's the price you have to pay driving a GT!

Dieter

[saxybiker]

Fun isn't it?!

[OriginalOpelGTOwner]

Happens to me too. While I was refueling my Opel GT in October while on a long drive this really good looking hot young woman walks up to my car and asks, "Is this your car?". I said, "Yes". She responds, "I just love your car." and while I was topping off the tank in November for winter storage this guy about 65 years old walks over and asks, "Where the hell did you find that Opel GT in such great condition?", and I answer, "Ummmmmm.....I bought it new 36 years ago." and he then asks, "Dam, what the hell, did you keep it wrapped up in Saran Wrap?", and I answered, "No.....I drive it ever summer and just store it in the garage for the winter", then he says, "Dam you are one lucky guy to be owning that car." Funny thing is I do not feel that way. I guess I am just use to having that Opel GT around after all these years. Seems like the original Opel GT's are becoming art icons.

[automata3.0turbo]

My wife and I were on our way from LA to NC during the move in summer (trailering the GT behind the truck), and we didnt quite make it out of Louisiana yet when the moving truck broke down (brake booster malfunctioned, locked up one of the front brakes). Well they sent a guy out to fix it, he relieved the backpressure by bleeding the brake (and got squirted) and sent us on our way. Told us he would escort us about 15 mi down the road, and if it locked up again pull over. So we went on, and of course it locked up again, so we had to pull off of I-20. When we got off, we pulled into the first place with a lot we could find. Good deal, except we happened to pull into a police depot, with no civilian thru traffic allowed. Great. So we had to get out of there without scratching any of the tightly packed police cars and find another spot to park. Well we make it to the vacant lot behind the station, right under the I-20 overpass, the mechanic leaves to go get help, and now a cop comes pulling up into the lot. Wonderful. Broke down, several hours behind schedule, and now we are about to get harrassed for pulling into that station. Cop pulls up, first thing out of his mouth was "What is that your pulling behind your truck?" We spent probably half an hour talking about the Opel, his collection of MG's and other old cars. Totally unexpected. Well we finally got the help we needed, swapped trucks and everything and got back on the road.

[BQS4]

Well, I have to relate this story, but, it's not about a GT, but, my Sportwagon. I took it to a local car wash, as here in GA we're experiancing the worse drought ever, and there is NO OUTSIDE watering, meaning no washing your car at home. Even some of the small car wash outfits had to close. But, there is a big chain of one here in GA. I took my Sportwagon there to be cleaned, inside and out. Well, they first wash your car, then it is taken to another area to be finished drying by hand, vacuumed and detailed by hand. After dropping off my Wagon and going inside to pay, I came back out to watch them finish up. Well imagine my surprize when all the workers are gathered around my Wagon! The manager shouts out, "who owns this Wagon?" I step forward and have to answer questions about the Wagon. This is with several MBs, Lexus, high-end SUVs an such all around

[69whitegt]

I'm still waiting to get my plates ran by the po po in the GT like I do all the time in our Monte Carlo. I hate that crap. But I guess thats the price young people have to pay owning a cool car.

[West Coast GT]

I'm still waiting to get my plates ran by the po po in the GT like I do all the time in our Monte Carlo. I hate that crap. But I guess thats the price young people have to pay owning a cool car.

What?

[Sparky73]

What?

He means when a cop follows you.. or slowly passes you in a gas station or parking lot, to get your plate number and scan it in their computers. Mainly because you've got a 'nice car' that looks and/or IS fast. And with being young, they think your going to, or have drove reckless or already been stopped for speeding or something. Happened to me for a couple weeks after I got pulled over for fish tailing around a corner while it was raining (in my truck). He let me go.. but I noticed anytime I went to fuel up, cops would park behind me and just sit there while I went inside to pay. More or less to scare you I would think?

[newman27]

He means when a cop follows you.. or slowly passes you in a gas station or parking lot, to get your plate number and scan it in their computers. Mainly because you've got a 'nice car' that looks and/or IS fast. And with being young, they think your going to, or have drove reckless or already been stopped for speeding or something. Happened to me for a couple weeks after I got pulled over for fish tailing around a corner while it was raining (in my truck). He let me go.. but I noticed anytime I went to fuel up, cops would park behind me and just sit there while I went inside to pay. More or less to scare you I would think?

Nice translation. Do you speak jive too?

[69whitegt]

Ha Ha

[PROPEL]

I'm still waiting to get my plates ran by the po po in the GT like I do all the time in our Monte Carlo. I hate that crap. But I guess thats the price young people have to pay owning a cool car.

Hey, that happens to 40 year olds, too! Dunno if it has anything to do with the cool car.

[P.J. Romano]

Happens to me too. While I was refueling my Opel GT in October while on a long drive this really good looking hot young woman walks up to my car and asks, "Is this your car?". I said, "Yes". She responds, "I just love your car." and while I was topping off the tank in November for winter storage this guy about 65 years old walks over and asks, "Where the hell did you find that Opel GT in such great condition?", and I answer, "Ummmmmm.....I bought it new 36 years ago." and he then asks, "Dam, what the hell, did you keep it wrapped up in Saran Wrap?", and I answered, "No.....I drive it ever summer and just store it in the garage for the winter", then he says, "Dam you are one lucky guy to be owning that car."

Wait a minute - you told us about your conversation with 65 years old guy. What about that "really good looking hot young woman" that told you "I love your car"? There must be more to it...