Introducing: The 1973 Opels

Jonzo · 10-24-2008

A few months ago I won a Super8 Technicolor MagiCartridge film on eBay entitled "The 1973 Opels" (I think I paid around $40 for it). Since I do not possess a projector capable of playing the MajiCartridge Super8 format, I decided to have the film converted into DVD by a local production company. I just got the DVD back today (conversion cost $ 49.22).

It turns out the film was made to inform Buick dealers of the awesomeness of Opel's 1973 U.S. lineup. So now you can enjoy this "for Buick's eyes only" production for the cost of a few mouse clicks with my complements.

Be sure to watch with the "high quality" setting with the sound on for best viewing.

YouTube - The 1973 Opels

-Jonzo

CDN OpelNut · 10-24-2008

Man, that is priceless. Thanks

OpelNewb · 10-25-2008

**** I forgot to put my lava lamp on before I started watching. LOL.

Cool vid!

yellaopelgt · 10-25-2008

very nice! Thanks for sharing!Wonder why they didnt have a GT in the closing line up though......hmmmm??

neuropel · 10-25-2008

Groovy...

Thanks for sharing a real gem that takes us back in time.

tomking · 10-25-2008

I enjoyed that and thanks for posting.

Gordy · 10-25-2008

Very generous of you to post it!

Brinki · 10-25-2008

Awesome!!!!

Is there any chance to get a copy back to good old germany...???

bgdowski · 10-25-2008

I wish they would have spent more time on the GT, but that is a really cool video. I enjoyed it alot!

jmbinjax · 10-25-2008

Apparently they were proud of the seats in the GT.

Thanks!

fourdukes · 10-25-2008

That is GREAT! I love that the GT featured a "Transistorized radio". The music is pure '70s. Thanks for your time and effort making that available.
-Carson

Aardvaark · 10-25-2008

Hey, thanks allot! Sure brings back memories. I bought the exact twin of
that Maroon Manta Luxus 4sp with maroon vinyl roof new in April 1973.
It's great to see these cars in motion.
IIRC. Buick at first was going to call the new "Manta Luxus", the "Manta Luxus Brougham Limited" after the Electra 225 Luxus Brougham Limited, but shortened it at the last minute. The package would have included landau Bars along with opera lights and opera windows on the roof. Very fasionable for the day.

Opelmel · 10-25-2008

Very entertaining. Sure would like to see all of those parked in my driveway!

OpelAl · 10-25-2008

Life on Mars, feels like .
Is there any way you can email to me?
If you can my address is kasinomann6@yahoo.com

MantAscona · 10-25-2008

Jonzo,

I happen to have the cartridge player that was used to show these films in the dealerships. I'm willing to part with it if you're interested.

Duane

Jonzo · 10-25-2008

MantAscona,
Thanks for your kind offer, but I will decline the projector for now.
If I happen to run across any more of these Opel Super8 MagiCartridge films, I'll probably just have them converted to DVD format. Digital seems like it will outlast film. Does anyone else out there have one of these Buick/Opel promotional films (from another year) that they'd like to share?
Jonzo

timemachine · 10-26-2008

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. You've got to love that braking test on the Manta. Instant lockup and a nice flat spot on your tires! Not exactly ABS or even a trained driver.

We all appreciate this Jonzo. (And there's Duane, looking to part with another piece of old gear. What doesn't he have in storage?)

Jim

2 Fast 4 U · 10-26-2008

Can it be downloaded anywere??

Dennis Texas · 10-26-2008

enjoyed watching it very much thanks for sharing it with everyone.

Jonzo · 10-26-2008

Dennis Texas and Brinki,
I believe that I am able to upload the video to you through YouTube if I have your e-mail address. So PM me with your e-mail address and I'll give it a try.
Jonzo

69opelgtfvr · 10-26-2008

That was an amazing glimpse into Opel history! Great production.. I love the luggage scene- the Sedan's trunk was like a cornucopia of Samsonite.

I think the reason they didn't show the GT too much is because they didn't want it to upstage the rest of the lineup.

RallyBob · 10-27-2008

Originally Posted by 69opelgtfvr

I think the reason they didn't show the GT too much is because they didn't want it to upstage the rest of the lineup.

Actually it stands to reason that they didn't showcase the '73 GT because they already knew it was the last production year for that model. At least that's my take on it!

69opelgtfvr · 10-27-2008

Originally Posted by RallyBob

Actually it stands to reason that they didn't showcase the '73 GT because they already knew it was the last production year for that model. At least that's my take on it!

Sure, that would be the logical explanation for it!

I wonder if a film like this was made at the time of the GT's debut? I searched "Trio Productions, Inc." but didn't find anything...

lezliewk · 10-28-2008

Great job Jonzo, I liked the bell bottom pants on the chick

Aardvaark · 10-28-2008

This thread just jogged my memory of a TV show called "Car and Track" that ran in the late '60's and early '70's on CBS and was hosted by then motorsports host Bud Lindemann. Besides featuring early stock car racing, he usually included a road test of new cars and I specifically recall them testing an Opel Manta and possibly a GT on another episode. This show was recently repackaged by Speed TV as "Back in the Day" and hosted by Dale E. Jr. but the road test sections were removed. IIRC, several years ago SpeedChannel also ran some of the original uncut "Car and Track" shows.
Sooo. If anyone comes across these original shows for sale, it may be worth investigating if they contain the Opel road test episodes.

10-24-2008	#1 (permalink)
Jonzo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 229	Introducing: The 1973 Opels A few months ago I won a Super8 Technicolor MagiCartridge film on eBay entitled "The 1973 Opels" (I think I paid around $40 for it). Since I do not possess a projector capable of playing the MajiCartridge Super8 format, I decided to have the film converted into DVD by a local production company. I just got the DVD back today (conversion cost $ 49.22). It turns out the film was made to inform Buick dealers of the awesomeness of Opel's 1973 U.S. lineup. So now you can enjoy this "for Buick's eyes only" production for the cost of a few mouse clicks with my complements. Be sure to watch with the "high quality" setting with the sound on for best viewing. YouTube - The 1973 Opels -Jonzo Last edited by Jonzo; 10-25-2008 at 12:21 PM.

10-24-2008	#2 (permalink)
CDN OpelNut 1971 GT Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Trail, British Columbia Posts: 533	Man, that is priceless. Thanks __________________ 2.4 "Legere" Stroker - Weber DCOE45 - Getrag - Compufire - S10 Clutch

10-25-2008	#4 (permalink)
yellaopelgt No....its not a Buick.... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: IL. Posts: 1,042	very nice! Thanks for sharing!Wonder why they didnt have a GT in the closing line up though......hmmmm?? __________________ What ...we got here...is........failure......................... to communicate.... Some men,you just cant reach...so you get what we had here last week...which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it...I dont like it, any more than you men...

10-25-2008	#5 (permalink)
neuropel Rice Cooker Join Date: May 2002 Location: Spring Church, PA Posts: 1,787	Groovy... Thanks for sharing a real gem that takes us back in time. __________________ "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln ________________ 1972 GT 2.4L 1974 Manta GT/E 2.2L 1973 Manta Rallye 2.5L

10-25-2008	#6 (permalink)
tomking tomking Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,287	I enjoyed that and thanks for posting. __________________ TMK

10-25-2008	#3 (permalink)
OpelNewb Not So Newb Anymore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Beaumont Tx Posts: 135	**** I forgot to put my lava lamp on before I started watching. LOL. Cool vid!

10-25-2008	#7 (permalink)
Gordy Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Loves Park, IL (Rockford area) Posts: 805	Very generous of you to post it!

10-25-2008	#8 (permalink)
Brinki Opeler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 32	Awesome!!!! Is there any chance to get a copy back to good old germany...??? __________________ Opel Ascona; what else????

10-25-2008	#9 (permalink)
bgdowski Opel GT Pilot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 100	I wish they would have spent more time on the GT, but that is a really cool video. I enjoyed it alot! __________________ Currently in Daytona Beach, FL working towards my Bachelor's in Aeronautical Sciences (Professional Pilot).

10-25-2008	#10 (permalink)
jmbinjax Opeler Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 154 Real Name: John	Apparently they were proud of the seats in the GT. Thanks!

10-25-2008	#11 (permalink)
fourdukes Opeler Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: King George, Virginia Posts: 14	That is GREAT! I love that the GT featured a "Transistorized radio". The music is pure '70s. Thanks for your time and effort making that available. -Carson

10-25-2008	#12 (permalink)
Aardvaark UFO pel abductee. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,242 Real Name: Mark Paar (not Parr)	Hey, thanks allot! Sure brings back memories. I bought the exact twin of that Maroon Manta Luxus 4sp with maroon vinyl roof new in April 1973. It's great to see these cars in motion. IIRC. Buick at first was going to call the new "Manta Luxus", the "Manta Luxus Brougham Limited" after the Electra 225 Luxus Brougham Limited, but shortened it at the last minute. The package would have included landau Bars along with opera lights and opera windows on the roof. Very fasionable for the day. __________________ -Mark '75 Manta Direct link to my album of Opel related parts catalogs and magazine articles for reference: http://www.opelgt.com/photopost/show...ser/23031/sl/a Last edited by Aardvaark; 10-25-2008 at 06:23 PM.

10-25-2008	#13 (permalink)
Opelmel Lurker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Omro, WI Posts: 73	Very entertaining. Sure would like to see all of those parked in my driveway!

10-25-2008	#14 (permalink)
OpelAl Opeler Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: illinois Posts: 48	Very nice Life on Mars, feels like . Is there any way you can email to me? If you can my address is kasinomann6@yahoo.com

10-25-2008	#15 (permalink)
MantAscona Kick a little asphalt Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,090	Jonzo, I happen to have the cartridge player that was used to show these films in the dealerships. I'm willing to part with it if you're interested. Duane __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

10-25-2008	#16 (permalink)
Jonzo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 229	MantAscona, Thanks for your kind offer, but I will decline the projector for now. If I happen to run across any more of these Opel Super8 MagiCartridge films, I'll probably just have them converted to DVD format. Digital seems like it will outlast film. Does anyone else out there have one of these Buick/Opel promotional films (from another year) that they'd like to share? Jonzo

10-26-2008	#17 (permalink)
timemachine Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Swarthmore, PA Posts: 871 Real Name: Jim	Excellent video, thanks for sharing. You've got to love that braking test on the Manta. Instant lockup and a nice flat spot on your tires! Not exactly ABS or even a trained driver. We all appreciate this Jonzo. (And there's Duane, looking to part with another piece of old gear. What doesn't he have in storage?) Jim __________________ '74 Manta ("Sig") '75 Sportwagon (project) '72 GT (whenever I get to it) Sold or wrecked: '72 Manta Rallye '73 Manta '74 Luxus

10-26-2008	#18 (permalink)
2 Fast 4 U Detroit,where my home was Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maria - Hoop, The Netherlands Posts: 2,216 Real Name: Erick	Can it be downloaded anywere?? __________________ Opel Ascona; driving one is like living on the edge. Only built from 1970 - 1975

10-26-2008	#19 (permalink)
Dennis Texas Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 386	enjoyed watching it very much thanks for sharing it with everyone. __________________ If everything seems to be going well you have obviously overlooked something.

10-26-2008	#20 (permalink)
Jonzo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 229	Dennis Texas and Brinki, I believe that I am able to upload the video to you through YouTube if I have your e-mail address. So PM me with your e-mail address and I'll give it a try. Jonzo

10-26-2008	#21 (permalink)
69opelgtfvr Opels Forever Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Silk City, CT Posts: 146 Real Name: Cliff Carlson	That was an amazing glimpse into Opel history! Great production.. I love the luggage scene- the Sedan's trunk was like a cornucopia of Samsonite. I think the reason they didn't show the GT too much is because they didn't want it to upstage the rest of the lineup. __________________ 1969 Opel GT (owned since 1985- under restoration) 2004 Pontiac Vibe (wife's car) 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 4WD 1994 Mercury Villager

10-28-2008	#25 (permalink)
Aardvaark UFO pel abductee. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,242 Real Name: Mark Paar (not Parr)	This thread just jogged my memory of a TV show called "Car and Track" that ran in the late '60's and early '70's on CBS and was hosted by then motorsports host Bud Lindemann. Besides featuring early stock car racing, he usually included a road test of new cars and I specifically recall them testing an Opel Manta and possibly a GT on another episode. This show was recently repackaged by Speed TV as "Back in the Day" and hosted by Dale E. Jr. but the road test sections were removed. IIRC, several years ago SpeedChannel also ran some of the original uncut "Car and Track" shows. Sooo. If anyone comes across these original shows for sale, it may be worth investigating if they contain the Opel road test episodes. __________________ -Mark '75 Manta Direct link to my album of Opel related parts catalogs and magazine articles for reference: http://www.opelgt.com/photopost/show...ser/23031/sl/a

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