'Round The Block: Driving a 1971 Opel GT with Elana Scherr and Tom

[@tomshaw6373]

I love this car. My father bought a silver one in 1971. The sound of shifting gears in this video brought back so many memories of me as a little kid. Tears, actually.

[@shahriararyan1410]

That's very nostalgic for me to see Opel Gt because My father used to own one these red opel GT in 1971 i love to own one too but i don't see any more around.

[@MrHevyshevy]

I have to admit. Those headlights are the coolest.

[@leehancock2782]

I agree

[@gramdpaD]

They were so fun, you would often just flip them over for no reason.

[@markallen2984]

Elena's headlights ain't bad, neither.

[@gsk5161]

Oooooh, you mean the ones on the car!

[@dearlreed6668]

I enjoy your videos very much. I've been a fan of the opel gt for 40 years. I bought a 73 last week, it's white..

[@kuklok1989]

I came just for the headlights lol

[@fredgrove4220]

The cars.....or hers ??

[@youthmanrecords420]

I came here for the hot chick in the Detroit T-Shirt . She has headlights also.

[@Katie-io6fv]

@@fredgrove4220 stop.

[@Katie-io6fv]

@@youthmanrecords420 stop.

[@youthmanrecords420]

@@Katie-io6fv never.

[@JDoors]

I was in the market for my first car in '75. I bought a new Manta. The GT had been discontinued by then, but I loved it. I knew the insurance would be much higher for a two-seat sports car than it was for the Manta, a two-door coupe, and I was just a kid at the time so, Manta it is. I loved the living daylights out of the Manta. I mean it's been nearly 50 years and still when I have a dream that I'm driving, it's in that Manta, even though I've owned some really nice cars after that one. 🙂

[@ten4speedshack156]

Hey! Follow/subscibe me...I have a 1974 "Buick" Opel Manta that my mom bought new...has been sitting for 34 years and I just started shooting the barn find video and will be releasing a series of videos of the restoration project...thanks

[@msix1836]

I once had a Manta as well, nice nimble coupe 😎

[@TreasuredVintage]

I had 2 of these! A 1970 and a 72. I loved them so much! The lights were my absolute favorite thing! That big forceful clunk was so satisfying! Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Opel GTs were everything! TFS

[@jimwampler4533]

I had a 1970 opel gt as my first car, and then bought a 73 about 15 years ago. Three years ago my son and I bought another 73, we love them, fun to drive.

[@calvinmathers]

Gotta say the bang shifting out of the gate was not too shabby. Good job making the video

[@Challengeher]

Al Rex The weinerdog did not like the hard shifts.

[@neilpiper9889]

I drive a 20 year old Vauxhall/Opel Corsa 3 cylinder fun box. Great fun video. I have shared it to all my car people here in the UK.

[@msix1836]

Opel GT was a real cool looking 2 seater but many people were unfamiliar with it at the time. My first association with this German brand was an Opel Manta coupe with an 1.8 liter in-line four. Though obviously underpowered, the chassis and suspension setup were all European business. Though there were tiny defects here and there, it simply outclassed the Chevy Vega GT. Btw, I also owned an Omega 3.0 V6, nice solid handling but the abrupt oil pump broke down damn near blew the engine, a disaster!

[@QuickSpeedShop]

You guys are fun! More Elana, Tom, and Jim ride alongs!

[@robertbrown9785]

this was my very first car when I turned 16- loved it- had an oil leak that I didn't keep up with- after a graduation party I drove it to OC, MD with my buddy vinnie- it ran out of oil and the engine seized up- drifting into the Smyrna Diner in Smyrna , DE - my dad had a used engine put in it and I drove it for another year only to upgrade to a 74 Datsun 260Z- thanks for the video- brings back great memories

[@johnpollard4158]

When I was 9, my dad was ordering a 70 Buick Electra, back when you actually ordered cars, and they let me play in one of these. Flipping the headlights open and closed was fun.

[@mharris5047]

Does any of your family members still have the 1970 Buick Electra by any chance? Most Buicks were actually real, large cars back then -- not the BS they were 20 years later.

[@johnpollard4158]

@@mharris5047 long gone.

[@walterweddle7644]

In high school I washed cars at our local auto dealership Sandman Brothers, and remember how much that I as a teenager loved the Opel GT. I also had a speech presentation to do in class. I took the dealership brochure to class, and remember talking about the features of the car. I remember talking about the morokide interior. I honestly liked the Opel GT better than the Corvette. Those were the days I loved because I've always have been a car nut. I remember Sandman's had a one lady owner 1951 Pontiac with16000 miles, dark gray and black interior. Well, the dealership still has that 51 Pontiac. They have a lot of antique cars. My old man co signed for me a 72 Chevelle and I was literally freaking out because my payment was $103.32 a month for 36 months. Oh, I kept her and am glad she's still a part of my lifetime. Love your program and I just recently discovered your channel and immediately joined when I saw your show about the 1978 Dodge Monoco Police car. I knew you're love for automobile history. I am so excited to have discovered your great channel. You guys rock!

[@tooloose]

A neighbor had one in the early 70s. I had a Mercury Capri 1600. We used to hit backroads together. I recall one time I was following him when he turned the 4-way flashers on and hit the brake lights in such a way the 4-ways and brake lights alternated. Very creative.

[@marcusbetancourt3760]

Personally I think that the Buick Opel GT is a stylish little car. I sure wouldn't mind owning one. To me they are a lot prettier than some Hondas, Kia, and Volkswagon. The Corvettes were and for me still expensive for me. If I had one, I'd put a CD in it, Stereo Speakers, a Amplifier and a Equalizer in it. I also would want it to be a automatic if possible and if possible a convertible. I've had a few motorcycles but never even been in a jeep. I've been retired for a number of years now and from just looking at one, I think that they were really, really cool.Thank you oh so much for showing me this pretty little sportscaster. I really, really enjoyed it. Good day and God bless you. Adios. PS. Not only that, the headlights are super, super cool they are probably made of glass and thank God they don't get all fogged up, cloudy, dull and ugly like the ones that today are made of plastic like the ones that I have on my Towncar. And even a aftermarket headlight lens cost about $250 each plus installation. And also the same for the air bags. What a total ripoff big time. I'm 72 years old and I still think that they made vehicles a whole lot better back in the day. Cool. Totally, totally cool like when the Buick Rivera, LA Sabre, and LA Salle and other cars were Boss.

[@shawnaburns5158]

My favorite part on these is the instrument panel/ gauges very nice car y'all have!! I bought a gauge cluster panel out of one of these for display in my room,,since I can't afford the whole car

[@roberthaldeman5312]

I owned one in 1980 at age 17. Thanks for the trip down memory Lane

[@rafaelpagan9031]

When I was in elementary school I built an Opel GT plastic model kit. Having this "little Corvette" was a dream of mine. Thanks for the video. I love your work as an automobile journalist. Keep it up.

[@jakahl1470]

Back in 1984-85 I owned a 1971 Opel GT, same color orange. I also painted the back end semi-gloss black. It was a fun car for my 19 years old self. The clutch was stiff, and those headlights were actuated mechanically with rods and linkages. Had to give that lever a good shove to flip em. No power steering either. I actually lived in the car for a few weeks between situations. Great memories! Cool car.

[@Spiritof_76]

Bought one when I was 18. Go kart with a body is exactly how it feels driving an Opel GT.

[@onemat2000]

In 1967 my neighbor had a Opel station wagon. Later in the early 70s, I remember a few Opel GTs cruising New Britain streets. I give your 9.5 paws

[@taddbeta]

Im picking up a 73 GT next week! It’s been sitting for a while so it was nice to see what you guys did with yours to get it running smooth.

[@jessekuchinski1172]

I like these when I was a little kid. The c3 was my favorite but loved these too. My neighbor had a brown opel gt and I thought those mechanical headlights were so awesome. Nice car 👍

[@roaddawg831]

My '73 Opel Manta Rallye featured those blasted rubber muffler hangers at the rear (and at midship too I think). Always had extras on hand for when they would break. Damn, I miss that car more than any other, bought it new when I was just 17.

[@juansantana9678]

The 8 track 😪, reminded me of my dad . He always wanted one of these cars .

[@edwinoliveras8221]

Thanks for the video and the review on the Opel GT. It brought back to me the sweetest memories, since that was the very first car I owned. You friend from the island of Puerto Rico, Edwin

[@pg9112471]

I liked this little car and thought about getting one but found out it was a gm product and passed on it I purchased a 1990 miata instead can't say I regret it japanese engineering has always made me come back for more toyotas, hondas and a Mazda. I did get a 58 apache truck that needs complete restoration but has a 350 chevy with a mild cam a 700r4 transmission with a 2800 stall torque converter and an s10 frame with bags for suspension. I do like your car in particular and those lights are very cool. Never knew that about opels.

[@richardb6260]

This is my first car. Same color. Though not the blacked out rear. Bought it used in 1974 for just under $1700. Mine had the rubber bands holding the exhaust. I'd constantly see them bouncing behind me in the rearview mirror. The lights would only come on if they both locked in place. Sometimes one wouldn't lock. So, you had to get out and manually lock it in place. But you had to hold the locked light in place while you locked the other one. Fun car. The brakes tended to lock up and I went sideways on a wet road more than a few times. Traded it in on a new 1976 Toyota Celica GT.

[@OpelPower]

Great Video! Keep them coming. We need more Opel videos on here:)

[@DenverPhil77]

Absolutely loved my orange 73! Great fun and great memories!

[@discerningmind]

A friend of mine had one of these back in the early 1980's. He loved it, but for some reason the clutch cable would lose a part called an E-clip, rendering the clutch useless. He'd have to leave the car wherever the clutch stopped working until he could return with a new one. If it was daylight, he'd search the roadway for it, but it could be miles away. No one ever figured out how to keep the E-clip in place or lash it in a way that it would stay with the car when it would fall off. And he never knew when it was going to happen. Thinking of you Greg M. -Mark R.

[@davidashton2361]

I bought one of these when I was stationed in Germany. Mine was the gt/j (junior) model. Identical to the gt but cheaper because the bumpers were painted satin black instead of chrome, the interior was only available in black and the colour options were limited to 4 (mine was a mustard colour). I bought it for £1700 brand new tax free and after 6 years imported it to the UK. Eventually, circumstances forced me to sell it and I have regretted it ever since. I just loved it. David Ashton.

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

Dad taught my brother, sister and I how to drive a stick in ours in the mid 70s. We managed to get all five of our family in the car at once, with three of us kids on the back bench. We had a Rallye as well. Such fun cars! "Go-cart for adults" indeed! 😊

[@daytonafuntim]

I enjoy these reviews (especially the old wrecker/tow truck). Seeing the insides and out (up close) & getting to hear the vehicle operate is truly a treat. Thanks for making these reviews!!! :)

[@oyesuken]

Nicely done. I love my '73. Next to the headlights, the best part for me, being 6' 4" tall, is climbing out and watching peoples jaws drop and ask me how I fit in there. They are actually very comfortable and roomy for taller people.

[@drjcwardjr]

I owned a 1971 in 1972…also red…I also modified the muffler hangar! Loved it…great handling and daily driver! No problems except had to tinker with the “two step linkage on the carburetor!

[@elainesprinkle9184]

...the car he drove when I met my hubby in 1973. Nice guy, always got out and around to open my door. Memories... white button-fly bell bottoms, gorgeous smile, flashy red Opel GT, he even let me drive it! What's not to love?

[@michaelpryor2981]

i had a 71 back in the 70's and i loved that car!!! my dash wasnt cracked, my lights worked, my electric was screwed up,etc!!!! but THAT IS A COOL CAR....O YEAH PAINTED MY BACK END BLACK TOO!!!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@shawnnorton2674]

Two of my favorites, Elana and an Opel GT, got to love that Dolly Parton 8-track cassette.

[@m1t2a1]

A bff and I taking our dates for senior prom. 1980ish. I borrow my dad's Lesabre, he borrows his dad's Opel GT. His 750 four and my Chevette wouldn't do. Go out after the formal, parking at the bottom of the bluffs before heading to the parties. His fuel pump chose starting the Opel, at the bottom of the steepest hill in town, to die. We got in my dad's car, took the girls home(!). "We'll be right back." Went back and pulled the GT up the bluffs road with the luxobarge, took it to his place, opened the cooler, drank beer. The girls were quite upset. I had a great time. Same car drove us an hour each way to college when it was his turn to drive. No one ever mentions a button to press with your lateral left foot, to pulse the wipers once. It's fantastic. Oh, and the little airfoil is a permanent part of the driver's side wiper, not an affectation from the hardware store.

[@sh4d0w_62]

The Opel was actually designed before the corvette and was manufactured between 68-73

[@michaelhinsley2448]

Awesome job making the video. Please don't stop. I have had mine since high school and I'm almost 50 now. I have had mustangs, camaros and a hot rod Nova. The opel gt is the funnest car i have ever owned. Loved your video keep them coming

[@sheldondyck8631]

Such a cool car. The Buick Opel GT lol. I knew those headlights operated that but never seen them work so easily and quick. Another awesome video guys.

[@jeroen9637]

The Opel GT is the only Opel I ever liked the looks of. They were quite common here in the Netherlands in the '70-s, as far as 'sports'-cars were common. I didn't realize how much it looks like a baby Corvette until years later. Corvettes were very exotic overhere :)

[@pmd467]

My brother had the '71 Blue and Black coupe brand new, and man that thing was gutless. He got rid of it and one day showed up at our house in a Bright Red GT like yours. My friends said (and this was there exact words..) wow! Your brother has a "Baby Vette.." 😆

[@Flightjunkie4u]

I had a '71. The "coolest" thing was that I was sitting 4 inches above the ground. It felt like a racing car. The "worst" thing was that I was driving in everybody's headlights. THAT is how low it sits. I miss having one. Thanks a bunch for the memories. I hope to have one again!

[@leifhietala8074]

At 48.2 inches tall, yeah. The GT is low profile, for sure.

[@Carnivore-Dwayne]

I had a 64 Kadett that I paid $25 dollars for in 73, I still fondly remember Opely Snopely 🤠 I later got a 69 GT and it was awesome ,,🤠 In 75 I bought the last of the German built Opel in my area, it was amazing 🤩. Love your GT!

[@clearskyamerica3107]

My first car when I was 16 was a ‘71 in that same color. We spent about two years prior restoring the car. Wish I still had it.

[@ROBERTJ.VOGTSR.]

I worked for a BUICK dealer who sold Opel's and Iw as the lead mechanic on them. The had a 1.1, 1.5. 1.9 engine and the 1.1 could be equipped with dual singe barrel carb, that was a big problem to keep balanced. The 1.5 engine gave use engine trouble, but the 1.9 was a screamer, especially in the GT OR RALLYE COUPE, also had an automatic transmission you could order. I loved working om the ,only problem with the 1.9 the SOLEX Carb had a tendency to flood at idle, but I found a way to fix that, by backing out the jet on the right side of the carb two turns and pinging the housing, I was the only one who had metric sockets and wrenches back then, they were neat and fun cars to work on till they got sold to a Japanese and they never were the same or as good before that happen, I still have a factory brand new steering wheel in a box, I really enjoyed working on and driving them, especially the GT COUPE, only had one blow up when the kid missed a shift and dropped a valve. Had on 1.9 one time come with a intake vale striking striking the piston ,took piston out, ring lands fine, filed top of piston smooth put new valve in the head and guy drove it from Collinsville Illinois to Chicago, never had a problem with it and owned it for years, it was a 1.9 Rallye coupe and the harder you ran them the better the better they went. Headlight were a problem if the 3 screws holding the buckets broke, the just flopped around and a bitch to get out.

[@mcl1967]

You guys are amazing automotive journalists and enthusiasts, fun and technique combined to the highest standard!!

[@JR-bj3uf]

I had a VW Scirocco back in the day and the sounds and the feel (the sound of the doors and hood slamming) are very much the same. I too had issues with my exhaust cracking off. This was fixed when a muffler shop welded in a short flexible link pipe. It turns out the original exhaust was too ridged.

[@cindybetten7573]

Yes, I remember the opel GT as a kid and my attempt to get my Dad to buy one. He would have loved it but unfortunately was married to my mother who was not “a car guy” or girl, and far from it. I would love to test drive one to see if I could fall in love with it. Depends on the condition, cost and parts availability. But they still look very cool to me. Oh BTW, I love her energy and Jimmy’s eagerness to look out the front while on his lap! And I hope Jimmy didn’t throw up like my dogs would have LOL.

[@JT-ee1ii]

Those HEADLIGHTS are amazing! I love Detroit too!

[@VirtualGuth]

I never get tired of watching how the headlight mechanism works in these cars - brilliant! The fact that you just had to have one of these after seeing the example owned by your neighbors put a smile on my face. It's definitely not like falling in love with a Miata where there's one on every other block. Just how hard was it was to find this GT that you ended up with? I've seen very few of them out and about here in the Portland area. Jim is totally awesome by the way.

[@FallenAngel1930]

I own a 72 I'm rebuilding. Neat little Cars, and the Opel GT Source Guys are awesome People. 😁

[@JettRink-b8k]

My nifty girlfriend always has my hand under her T shirt.

[@luiwammes4193]

I've been owning Opel's of this era ever since 1995. That CIH engine is THE best engine I've ever worked on. Or need I better say, never had to have any work done to it. So reliable. Let them stand aside for 10 years, prime the fuel, turn the ignition and of she goes.

[@TrakThora]

You are right. The CIH engines are very reliable. 15W40 oil and ready to roll.

[@hevog]

Yep, the Opel engineers were excellent back in the day. Opel engines are the most reliable ones, you simply cannot trash them, except on purpose, of course. I once owned an old Kadett A and a Diplomat A back in the eighties despite of the bad image Opel cars had in Germany (cheap, boring, unsexy) at that time. Rumor has it that all the V8 engines coming from the U.S. GM shelf to be built into the German top line Opel cars (Diplomat, Commodore GS/E and such) had to undergo a thorough revision and refinement by the Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim before they were built into the German Opels. The explanation or excuse for this practise was to make the U.S. engines what they called "Autobahn-proof".

[@chucku00]

0:30 Well, since both cars were heavily influenced by the Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT, it's only logic these two cars have a similar design. Because Opel wasn't able to manufacture the Opel Gt bodywork, it was made in France by Brissoneau & Lotz, a company that also produced locomotives, railway equipment and tramways. Opel got back the bodywork and built the card with Kadett and Rekord parts in their Bochum factory. Oh, and don't let the marks between the rear fenders and the boot of the car fool you : there isn't any opening in the rear of the car other than the gas tank cap. the only way to store something is to install it at the rear of the seats. 2:55 there is a trunk, there aren't any rear opening.

[@rflorer]

I owned an orange '71 back in '81. My biggest headache was the clutch cable that kept breaking. I kept a few pre-cut lengths of cable and swedges in the car. Got where I could rewire the cable in less than 5 minutes on the side of the road after it broke. Also, the timing chain cover oil leak. kept a case of oil behind the seat. 2-4 quarts a day depending on how hard I drove it.

[@mharris5047]

I have ran vehicles with oil leaks but 2-4 quarts a day is a LOT for a leaking seal. I had two different cars where the oil pan gasket went to hell and the car leaked a quart every 30 miles but those were repaired ASAP.

[@gregsz1ful]

I first saw these at night through dealer showroom window. I was impressed. I checked one out at dealer, remember working the lights. The guys I hung with in 1969 had “the” cars. All the hot models you can guess.

[@ozarkbackwoods9921]

I have 3. All combined into one. I n early 90s I did a full restoration. Now it has been parked in my shop for 12 years. Dry rot on tires with only 2k miles. Watching these videos I need to get the thing out and emjoy it. :)

[@oldfatandtired6406]

I attended an automobile vocational program in the mid 70s. My teacher was a big time SCCA sports racer. He had a bunch of friends that raced and rallied various Opels. As I mentioned his was the 70s and during this period Vocational schools were dumping grounds of the under achiever. I was actually there to work on cars. My teacher figuring this out, gave me all his friends cars to work on. I worked on a bunch of Opels. A whole bunch of Opels.

[@calvinharned6421]

Thanks Elana A reminder I need to have my 72 of the same color back on the road.

[@thearthound]

I had a yellow '69. Loved that car. Had to sell it when I got stationed in England.

[@johnporada927]

One of my teachers in Jr high had one. It was the coolest!

[@alexanderginis1488]

I owned a 73 opel manta rallye yellow with the matte black hood Would love to get my hands on a gt hard to find on the east coast

[@mrt7152]

Opel’s weren’t known for overheating, at least not Europe. The gt is a beautiful little coupe. And if you use the opel engine c20xe in combi with a Manta B gearbox 1.8 (gt) it will fit right away in your gt. Which is a lichter engine and way more powerful. You will have a little hot rod. But loved your little vid, and you really enjoy your car. I once had a Manta type A, still have good memories of it.

[@Dave-sw2dm]

I am definitely drawn to 2 seaters and love the look. i would have to buff out that paint with Starbrite restoration polish.

[@kennethstanton5407]

I had a 1972. Bullet proof all round. Never had any serious problems with it other than rust, driven by the massive quantity of road salt we get during Canadian winters... I do remember the rubber donut exhaust system hangers but mine never created any problem at all. I did consider deep sixing the Solex carb. Not a wonderful thing to deal with. Lol.

[@nickelnoserestos2598]

Have always wanted one. Good luck finding one. Very cool!

[@WHOMEWHOYOU]

Love this Car, had a 71 in the 80's I paid a $100 for and drove it to work for over a year, then bought a Corvette.

[@frisco-2.0]

Nice Opel! Greetings from Bochum Germany, the city where your GT has been build. 👍🏻

[@Corvette-nc2wh]

My wife and I have a 71 Opel GT. with factory A/C looked for one with A/C for a long time. We have had it now for about 6 years. it's a blast.

[@MilkCrateGarage]

ARA or GM A/C? They never came from the factory with AC, you could have it installed at the dealer though. I installed New Vintage Auto's kit in my GT. Works well.

[@redSectorA]

Ha, we had a white 71 in the mid 70's when I was a little kid and my mother used to let me open the headlights every time we drove. Thems were the days!

[@BrianRoediger]

Oh my goodness! You're my wife and I! She also has a 71 Opel GT that is currently being restored in Tennessee. She did the exact same thing; never heard of them but when she saw one for the first time, she had to have it :-D. Getting it back next month. Hope to see you all at an Opel show in the near future!

[@BrianRoediger]

Quick update on my wife's Opel; we finally got it back after getting stranded in Oregon. New engine from Opel GT Source inbound. Hoping to get her on the road before her birthday in September!

[@dpevjen]

In regards to the $25,000 Compact Tesla Vehicle, I think it should be a two-door vehicle with no back seat. A great example to emulate is the 1968-1973 Era Opel GT which was built in Germany for General Motors. I owned a 1971 Opel GT and I still love everything about it to this very day. The car was very comfortable to ride in with plenty of legroom unlike the MG and Austin Healey style mini cars of the time. People used to call Opel GTs the Mini-Vet (i.e. Corvette). The car was featured during the opening credits of the last season of "Get Smart". Here Maxwell Smart would drive up to "Control Headquarters" and walk through the many doors leading up to the telephone booth. On the speedometer the max speed displayed was 150 MPH, however, the best I got was 130 MPH (over a 40 miles stretch of brand new Interstate highway), very amazing. A friend of mine in the Air Force, who also owned an Opel GT, claims he left Fargo, North Dakota, at 140 MPH and then maintaining that speed, drove for 70 miles to Grand Forks, Air Force Base. The highway patrolman who finally caught up with my friend said he was in pursuit of the Opel GT for 50 miles. Being very amazed at the car's performance, the officer forgot to write a ticket. See the example videos below; kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqDKlIKmp7p-mNk kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGiUlHqXhp6JY7s

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

A pretty cool car you don't see too many around of today..

[@zylex4835]

Can you make a video on the difference between all the opel gt

[@nofooter4130]

My uncle owned a silver Gt back in the early eighties. It was called the L.F.A. He ran some Autocross with it. Such cool cars!!

[@shawnbeckmann1847]

I have a '70 Silver Opel GT bought it in 82 with the 1.9 Always had problems with the Solex Carb and eventually replaced it with a Weber 2 barrel and to this day when I flip the Headlights over it has a Lazy Eye lol.

[@nigeljones482]

You can fix the gear stick, the linkage just needs to be adjusted which will lower and center the gear stick.

[@DeanMk1]

Challengher - you asked if anyone else ever did a camshaft arrangement like your Opel. Nissan and some Toyota did that too.

[@mswkt656]

Those are some big headlights,the reason I kept watching.

[@jameshaury2716]

I was reading about this car in a 2014(It had a long article about the 20th annual Hot rod power tour.) hot rod magazine today and was wondering about it.

[@rogerdsmith]

The real story on the similarity between the Opal GT body design and the 68 Corvette body design is this: Opal originally displayed a prototype for the Opel GT at several international auto shows in the mid-1960s. The Corvette team from GM saw this, and the Opal design became the inspiration for the C3 Corvette.

[@DeereX748]

I wanted one of these, but couldn't afford it. I think they cost about $3500 in their last year (1973), and I ended up buying a '73 Opel Manta coupe instead. I was really just as happy, it was only $2000, and just as much fun to drive, and easily kept up with its contemporaries (Vega GT and Pinto), and handled better than both; the only car of its class that was faster was the Capri, but not by much. Your reference to "common Opel problems" must have been limited to the GT, because I never had any problems with the Manta, it had the same drivetrain as the GT. I had a friend who had a '72 Opel GT, so I got to drive one to compare with my Manta. It was the faster car, but mostly because it weighed a good bit less.

[@usaverageguy]

You should have mentioned the wiper washer foot pedal. I once convinced a girlfriend. There was a sensor built into the dash that automatically wiped the windshield when it rained. She wiped her hand between the dash and glass to prove me wrong. But my foot was always ready to tap the ball.

[@Challengeher]

If mine worked I would have! -ES

[@maxhammontree3169]

Those headlights are huge does the wind blow them around while driving!

[@randyscott3386]

Ferris Buhlers sister got an Opel GT . Cool . Glad to hear that he's feeling better .

[@plumbandsquare1]

Great review, and killer shifting! Nice work.

[@tonycrowder2320]

I had one as my very first car, didn’t realize what I had. I’m working on buying a 1973 right know. Hopefully bring her home this next week.

[@mattsadv3ntures]

How hard is it to find parts for these? You had me at those crazy cool pop ups haha!

[@Challengeher]

Not too difficult. OpelGTSource.com has pretty much everything.

[@patrickbyr]

My dad bought a yellow 72 Ople GT brand new. I played with those headlights for hours as a kid...and held the flashlight incorrectly as well.

[@amflashback]

Cool little Opel GT! I would love to get a hold of an Opel Rekord from the early "60's. Hard to find one here in the US. Keep the vids coming!

[@dominickcolasanto6582]

Great headlights!

[@charlesdiecastgarage]

I had a ‘68 Opel Kadett Rally that I loved driving with its massive 1.0 liter engine, 😂!

[@Sherman62]

The C3 Vette should have had such a headlight system!

[@ronlakatos6755]

i traded my 1966 Mustang for a 1971 Opel GT. It was a great little car and took it to Colorado for our honeymoon. With 2 people and luggage, there was hardly any room left. As a matter of fact. Coors was only for sale in Colorado at this time and my wife had to put the beer on the floor in front of the passenger seat. One of the unique items were two vents by your feet that opened top cool your feet off. Eventually , it just got too small for groceries and such so it has to go. Those rubber O-rings that supported the mufflers were always breaking but I bet they have better ones now..

[@fixedguitar47]

I had a 73 GT. I used a 70 and a 71 as donors to make one car. I miss that car.