[22velocity]

I was wondering if any of you noticed the 1971 red custom Opel Gt that sold this past Friday on Ebay. It appeared from the pictures, to be a beautiful car. I dropped the seller from Soddy Daisy ,TN a message and he said that he had receipts for over 10 grand in this car. The car sold for 4875 . What a great buy for someone. The pictures of this car can be seen at http://photobucket.com/albums/a178/scottrambo/ enjoy Frank

 

[22velocity]

If when you get to photobucket the file shows not found hit in scottrambo and his beautiful red 1971 opel should show up. I am kicking myself for not bidding on this car this past week.

 

[Willy_g77]

very nice car!!! anwser me this though... how in the heck did he get those rims on? and where is the exhaust? still a very nice gt.. i just hope it isnt a ricer and have one of those fart cans on back, although i didnt see one...

 

[22velocity]

WillyG , It appears he cut the front and rear wheelwells and then added a Lentz custom kit with the flares and front Air dam. In one of the questions that somebody asked him on e bay he responded on the exhaust saying that is underneath but he did not bring it all the way back,which makes me believe he must not have the original style rear muffler. It is a shame that when the engine was out the block wasn't painted. I think it's pretty hard to do with the engine still in the car. Frank.

 

[jordan]

Yea, it is a shame that the engine is bare and ugly. It has a nicely painted engine bay too.

 

[TNMOOSE]

New Opel GT owner

Good evening! I was searching for Opel GT info on Google when I found this site. This is amazing to me!

My reason for this post is tell you that I am the guy who bought the red Opel GT sold on e-Bay.

I can see from this site that although I have A LOT to learn, at least I am not without help!

Thank you ALL for the great information on this site, and the time you have invested in it.

I have never owned a GT before, but did own a '66 Kadette wagon, and a '67 Kadette Rallye, both a very long time ago.

I think the engine was not painted because it may need to be replaced or rebuilt. The clutch and transmission definitely need attention. I was considering a 5 speed for the transmission, and am unsure about the motor.
I have read that a 2.2 is a good option, and would welcome input. Can a 2.2 be fitted w/ a turbo? Is it reasonable to consider adding AC? The photos don't show it, but the windshield has a BAD scratch from a worn out wiper blade, so I will have to replace it. Is it still available new? I am also looking for wiper arms. Scott said he never drove it in the rain, so he did not need them. hmmm...my rain storms don't always give a 24 hour notice.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for your patience with a novice.

Michael TNmoose

 

[kwilford]

I was considering a 5 speed for the transmission

The Getrag (from the later Euro Opels, available from OGTS) is a terrific addition, allowing the engine to rev at a reasonable rpm on the highway. That said, there are better performance transmission choices, but none as easily obtained or fitted. Look under the Forum "Clutch, Transmission and Drive-train Upgrades" for lots of late night reading. A Limited Slip Differential (LSD) is a very good choice if you get an engine that puts out the HP, and some info is available on the same Forum.

I have read that a 2.2 is a good option, and would welcome input. Can a 2.2 be fitted w/ a turbo?

The 2.2 (or 2.4) is available from OGTS (or directly from Europe if you have the connections) and is a "bolt-in". Well, almost, depending on what you choose for a fuel system (the 2.2/2.4 has a different head, and requires either a grafted-in stock late model EFI system, or a never-seen-in-America carburetor manifold to fit that later head)
A turbo can always be done (on any of the CIH blocks, or even a swapped-in engine), but a search under the "Opel Engine Performance Modifications" Forum will show it is not for the faint of heart, as the GT is VERY space-constrained. Generally, a 2.2 or 2.4 (even a 1.9) can be made to perform to a quite high level of performance, without the complexity of the turbo. The darn car only weighs 2200 lbs dripping wet, so 150 HP can give just about anything else (short of a Mustang GT, Porsche Carrera or Corvette) a run for its money. Until the twisties, at which point a properly turned-out GT (or a fairly stock Manta/Ascona) will leave the domestics in their dust.

Is it reasonable to consider adding AC?

Air Con was a dealer-installed option on the 1.9 GT, which means that it can be installed on any 1.9/2.0/2.2/2.4 CIH engine. Unfortunately, there are virtually NO after-markets kits available that fit a GT (at least without significant fitment issues). Your best bet is to find a used AC package (the console and rear evaporator assembly; on eBay or here, or try OGTS or the other Opel vendors) and then custom-fit a newer, smaller compressor. I have heard it discussed lots, have yet to see one done, but it should be readily doable. More to read at "Group 9 - Accessories - Radio, Heater, A/C, Sound Systems". But a Turbo AND AC? I don't think so, Tim.

The photos don't show it, but the windshield has a BAD scratch from a worn out wiper blade, so I will have to replace it. Is it still available new? I am also looking for wiper arms. Scott said he never drove it in the rain, so he did not need them. hmmm...my rain storms don't always give a 24 hour notice.

Can the scratch be polished out? If the windshield is in otherwise good condition, that is far preferable to installing a new one. Yes, they are available new, from Locan glass, and some other good glass dealers. Used ones (and this week, even a new one or two) show up on eBay fairly often.
Wiper arms should be available from OGTS (frankly, I have never asked). They show up "used" frequently on eBay.

Oh, and use the "Search" feature lots, and impress us when you add a relevant question to an existing thread.

HTH and welcome, and good luck!

 

[manta73wi]

Welcome, and congrats on a beautiful car! I generally prefer stock appearing GT's to the customs, but yours is so tastefully done that it really is special. I'm sure you'll enjoy the helpfulness and camaraderie of the Opel community. Great folks around to lend their advice and expertise!
Jeff W
'75 Manta
'73 Manta

 

[22velocity]

Manta 73, I see from your post that you live nearby in mequon ,WI. I live in Brookfield, Wi. I came across this site ,by chance, just a few weeks ago. I retired 3 years ago after a 38 year career with General Motors, I started out in 1969 in a District Sales Mgr training program selling Buicks and Opels at a large volume dealership in Jacksonville ,Fla. Key Buick. The GT's when they were announced in the spring of 1969 were so hot that we were selling them as fast as they were coming off the carriers. we sold them for list price which was about 3400 dollars. In January of 1970 , Buick assigned me to my first district .Green Bay, Wi. the dealers in Wisconsin were conservative and would hesitate to stock many Opels. In 1973 , I drove ,during the energy crunch, a chrome yellow opel Gt as my company car and loved it except during the heavy snowstorms. TN moose, congradulations on your opel Gt , If you could drop me a pm at [email protected] with your phone number I would like to ask you a few questions on your beautiful Opel. Thanks Frank

 

[Turbo X]

I cant belive that car went for under $5000.00? labor and parts would of gone for more than that. I would of burned it first before i sold it for that...another 1000.00 in the engine... and wow! never leave my house for under $15000.00.... good buy