Who knows.. thats the problem.
Tobbie was the one that told me the model number issue, Opel Parts nad Service was one of the only Opel parts sources that always used the Dealer parts books and numbers. Which is why the descrepincy stuck in his mind. Gary and Jose were working on a registry. I am not sure where that is located anymore.
This is what was written in the definative GT spotting article:
Starting Chassis # : Unknown
Production Numbers:
Records indicate that only 31 were imported into the US, 121 total were built. Some records, however, show a total production of 541. It’s possible that the numbers are more like 541 produced in the year 1968 with 121 built prior to August 1968. Also conflicting is the fact that I have read old internal Opel documents which mentioned that all ‘68 GTs were only of the 1.9L variety. BUT, the records that indicated the higher 541 production number indicate there were 12 - 1.1L versions. All this makes the confirmation of the build date that much more important. While a finding a ‘68 GT would indeed be rare, confirming a 1.1L ‘68 would be this side of finding a Convertible
AAR Plymouth ‘Cuda.
Note that even if the GT fits ALL of these criteria, what looks like a ‘68 could still be an early ‘69. I recently “Un-confirmed” a ‘68 GT that was VERY close, it had a split bumper, flat back panel, “H” head, No A.I.R. emissions, no W on the speedometer and in every way seemed to be a ‘68. BUT, the build date on the speedo and ammeter was 11/68, making it a VERY early ‘69. It was probably hand-built like the 68s’, and to the unknowing could have been one but, alas, it wasn’t.
Unique Color Combinations or Trim: Unknown (Assume they are the same as ‘69) – One confirmed ‘68 had a silver exterior and a red interior, one other was red and black.
Differences:
· 1.9L “H” head (It’s a 1.5L Head with 1.9L valves – Results in about a 0.5:1 compression increase over any other 1.9L ) - (SOME Very early ‘69s also had this head and did not come with the A.I.R. emissions system)
· “Split” front bumper (Front bumper is a two-piece design meeting in the middle)
· Tail Panel is flat (no indentation for license plate)
· Speedometer face WITHOUT “W” (897,1062) calibration number.
· Dash Gauges have a wider chrome ring face
· Air Filter lid on Solex has red paint on the part numbers.
· Spare tire wood shelf has an access hole for the fuel gauge sending unit.
· Spare tire hold-down bracket has a “Square” wing-nut
· Heater Valve is located INSIDE the car.
· Rear view mirror is wider than later models.
· Sun visors have a different shape.
>>>>>
Since then one assumption has been the "Early 69's" that look to be a 68' in every aspect, were probably built in France, using the parts they had there, while at the same time production at the main assembly plant had started, and some of the changes were already being put into place. Thus they fit the mold of a 68' but aren't technically.
