Unfortunate DEMISE Of My Girlfriends 1971 Opel GT

Time to face the music. I have to many cars and not enough time!
I love this little Opel GT but I don't see myself working on it in the next few months so it has to come apart and go into storage. Dani was a little on the sad side to see her little hotrod get pushed aside. I figured I would lay a quick polish on the old paint the dull the sting.
Nice and shiny, ready to be forgotten about for a few months....
Want a sweet new shirt?
dd-speed-shop.creator-spring....
Send us your Junk:
DD Speed Shop
Po box 42041
1881 Portage ave
Ferry Road RPO
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 3X7
Send me an email with some suggestions or ideas
[e-mail]
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[@fredflint1797]

My buddy had an Opel GT with a 289(no firewall!), while I had a Pinto hatch back sleeper with a geared up Boss 302. Real fun rat racing together to the burger joint and back. Both cars were hard to control, but our superior stupidity made all things possible. Nobody ever went for a ride that didn't want to get out by 2nd gear...

[@brianjacobsen8878]

Had a buddy show up to my house in a 63'vw with a 455 olds toronado hack job install radiator was behind the back seats the floor cut out front wheel drive motor Angle iron box around it. Tack welded in the only professional install was by the muffler shop where the old vw motor was exhaust exited where the OEM pipes came out but 2 /12 in. I get in I slam the pass door we drive off half inch gap on the top of the door form the body sagging no front brakes Noise from the motor behind you Fricking scary. Dating all over the place.

[@gordonwalker8003]

hello Fred Flint . see your also enjoying dan put the ford engine a funny juke .when 10s truck 1980 1995 transmission would work .lol when it done years age on flint mi yellow wagan 4 x 4 Buick opal on 3rd and Stevenson Street West Side going towards GMI or Caltech building was a opal four-wheel drive. The gord in Flint

[@fredflint1797]

@@brianjacobsen8878 Olds Toronado!

[@snoopu2601]

My neighbor had an opal it was an orngesih goldish color. Us kids thought it was a mini corvette lots and lots of 1970s and older car's and truck's in the neighbor hood. That would be worth lots of money if I would have known to collect none running vihecals like a man did in our town filled his whole back yard full of classics. The city change its code made the man had to get rid of all his year's of collections. Instead he moved to Nevada took his collation with him. That Mon either past away or very old his son's and daughter might have inherent the collection. I'm shire he didn't stop collecting when he moved. I got to see his collection before he moved the car's and truck's were so closed togather had to climb through the window to get inside to move them out. He collected prime car's and truck's no damaged junks early 1920s to 1960s car's some 70s rare car's. My friend met this guy through a friend we had a body shop. You couldn't see any of them from the street. Wouldn't even have known if wasn't from word of mouth.

[@johnelliott7375]

Been there and I commend you for your passion.

[@rantsfromtheroad2055]

Danny is extremely supportive and of you, your channel and your car addiction; she deserves to have her cars made your top priority. Beside, the Opel build with be cool!

[@angrybill]

A "Cord over the shoulder" story. My brother needed to polish one of his cars and wanted to borrow my buffer. I lent it to him with a training session about always putting the cord over his shoulder so that the buffer couldn't catch the cord and make two cords out of one cord. Long story short I now have two cords, one in the normal position and one attached to the other mechanically with solder and tape. My brother now understands why I stressed to him about draping the cord over his shoulder. I let him off the hook for a new cord. He was dirt poor back then and he really did a great repair of my two buffer cords.

[@musashinagatsubo9574]

Too bad, I really wanted to see the Opel build. I've always like the styling of them and a turbo 4 pot would make a sweet upgrade.

[@scouserbychoice]

Honestly I think the Opel needs to be done as soon as reasonably possible. Danni looked so impressed with the polish job you did and a happy wife means a happy life. Go for it Dan.

[@KiwiStag74]

Down here in New Zealand, we never got the Opel GT....which is strange considering how well I reckon it would have sold. Maybe the local GM assemblers wouldn't do them because of a lack of RHD conversion parts, but who knows? Seen them on a number of channels - mostly in junkyards and the odd revival. I fell heavily in love with their looks - a sort of cross between a Ferrari Daytona and a Corvette Stingray with a smattering of Lotus Elan - and would love to drive about in one myself, but have yet to find one in original running condition that would be worth importing. They are a beautiful little car and well worth getting back on the road (in my opinion) in any way possible. Will look forward to the eventual build of this little car, for sure!

[@dansimmons1964]

If it's been done before I have no doubt you can make it happen. I actually kinda like this project...its a nice change of pace for you.

[@arthurrose6473]

Alot of people think you set yourself up to make that gem in the rough Opel happen... I know your lady would love it. Nice car!

[@thecontrarian9933]

Love the Opal. It'll be a great project. A few tips on buffing a car. I'm sure others have pointed some of this out. Wipe it down or wash it first. Polish small areas and don't let the product sit on the paint. Don't polish until the rubbing compound is dry. Spray some water on it if you want to keep polishing. The compound builds up in the pad. You can clean the pad while you're working by flipping the polisher over and running a screwdriver across the pad. Use masking tape on things you don't want to polish or over polish like rubber window trim and sharp edges. Ratty hot rods rule!

[@TheJstewart2010]

I really, really like that Opel. Reminds me of a C3 Corvette, the first car I fell in love with (when I was about 3 years old). Can't wait to see the Opel back out on the road.

[@briansmith8967]

Amazing that you got that monster motor IN and OUT! The original motor normally drops out the bottom of the car.

[@blaircrocker9845]

Love to see the Opel build for dani. She deserves a cool car.

[@DavidJones-hl5om]

That Opel GT would be a great Winter Project and make Danni Happy and Viewer's that have been waiting for the Opel GT Build.

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Man. I love those Opel GTs. Hope to see more of this soon. The 4 cyl turbo would have been killer.

[@billwilber9089]

About twenty years ago I used "George Foreman detail spray". It was great but they stopped selling it where I lived so I made my own. I poured windshield washer fluid into an empty Windex spray bottle then added a little car wax. You don't need much wax. It worked just as well and was even perfect for washing off mud. Later I found that any spray furniture wax worked well on any plastic. So, I started using that with the washer fluid. If the car has a lot of mud and dirt, I'll wash off with a water hose first and then use my mix. The time to clean and detail my car was less than driving to the car wash.

[@boatnut64]

Love That: "You'd think with the floor being so Oily, this would be easier"... Amen 👍👍👍

[@vsavage_old_rockerz]

you and that halfass kustom guy rock!!!!! my favorite 2 auto/truck builders on the web. peace

[@Thomas63r2]

One of my crazy drag strip buddies had a tube framed Opel GT with a 468 BBC, Powerglide, a ridiculously narrowed 3.50 geared 9", and huge tires stuffed under wheel tubs. After a successful decade of drag racing, he put lights on it, D.O.T. tires and licensed it back on the street. It was a hilarious ride.

[@teric2197]

Get a few of those small wood furniture rollers from harbor freight to keep your motors on. Your back will thank you! 😉

[@eugeniobrianti8755]

Yep I built 2/8 small frame under engines then plant them on those rolling dollies have three currently in my shop.

[@nopartsgarage6691]

It doesn't look to bad on camera. It's funny how when ya put some time in and it starts to look better it changes your mind about putting away and work on something else.

[@budlanctot3060]

I've polished a lot of turds over the years. You're kind of working backwards to my methods. The 1st thing to do is to clean the paint. Try clay barring it, then maybe wet-sanding it with like 2500gr and soapy water. Then use a foam pad on your polisher. You should only need about 1/10 of the rubbing compound which you are currently using. It you still think you need to use a lambswool pad, then go for it, but NEVER let the lambswool pad get dirty and keep using it. When you're satisfied with it, use some Turtle Wax ICE (or Hybrid) CERAMIC liquid spray wax. It is super easy to do, you could wax that little car in about 15mins. It works fantastic and is like 1/2 or 1/3 the cost of the more expensive brands. That will protect the paint for at least a year.

[@hetzlerracing5490]

Hey Dan, I have found that if the hoist wont quite fit under a car, set the front tires on some 2x10 or 2x12s. The hoist should roll right under there then and it doesnt raise the front of the car up so high it makes it hard to reach anything.

[@davidwood1923]

Glad Dani Liked it All Polished Up... You Saved Your Neck... Brother

[@mikerevis6439]

Dude. This car is rad. Do this. She deserves this in the spring.

[@terrallputnam7979]

Brought that paint back to life! Great work.

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

The Scott meme is classic!👍

[@DoktorJeep]

I temember how we looked down on those cars in the 80s but looking back we were wrong. Lots of potential in those frames.

[@ninjapumkin]

Didn’t realize how big that garage is after it’s cleaned 😅

[@Soper20]

its not that the garage is big, its that the Opel is tiny lol

[@suegoss8600]

Love to watch! People can be such jerks, maybe they are jealous of you bc you have a great shop, someone that loves you and a great you tube channel!! GODS BLESSINGS

[@Frontireadventures]

That old shop is now military neat and squared away...take that as a compliment from an oldish veteran paratrooper. Well done.

[@christinemcgowan6086]

My husband, a life long collector of classic cars, suggests that you use an aluminum V8 from a ‘62 or ‘63 Olds Jetfire/Cutlass. Or a GMC V6 from the ‘60s

[@kevinl.2291]

Turned out really nice Dan. Those are such cool little cars, can’t wait to see it on the road. ✌️😎👍

[@1928ModelA1931]

I was a detailer in another life. My favorite polish jobs were nonmetallic red cars. Nothing is more rewarding. The worst always shined up and they show very little of the flaws. I thoroughly enjoyed this. But I'm weird that way.

[@FirstLast-dd5bx]

Dani's side eye when she saw her motor out did it for me.

[@musclecarmaniacs9789]

You saw that smile...get the little car running for the girl...🙂

[@timemerson4162]

Always liked the idea of doing a V6 swap on one of these.

[@nofotomojo]

I used to have a 1974 Opel 1900 sportwagon. The Clymer manual I had also covered the Rallye and GT versions. If I recall that manual showed the engine on the GT came out the bottom air cooled VW style. The whole cross member came out with it.

[@EffequalsMA]

Usually pretty good results with the old single stage paint when you whip the buffer out. I did that on me junkyard rescue 86 Mustang coupe 5L 5 speed with original 8L Sand Beige paint. Despite the whiskey dents, I never want to repaint the car now.

[@raiderjohnthemadbomber8666]

I had that model the a TR6 drive train and a 240Z frame grafted into it. It was a cool little sleeper, made me a fair amount of money.

[@richlancaster80]

your show always make me feel good,loved Dannys reaction priceless!!!!keep on keeping on

[@carmudgeon7478]

There is a 71 GT at work that I have to stare at every day. It has the typical wiring nightmare, who-the-heck-would-do-that mods, but I'd drive it.

[@somewhatfast]

I agree with you Dan, shine it up and just get it on the road.

[@mpikas]

Don't be too embarrassed about how hard it was to move the 2.3Turbo around. It was intended as a lighter, more fuel-efficient drivetrain for the fox chassis cars, but they ended up going with a special Mexican high nickel casting for the block and by the time they finished with it and the turbo pumping it was virtually a draw in weight compared to the 5.0/302 (it didn't help that the 302 was a lightweight block and crank). It still got the MPG (my first car was an '85 Cougar XR7 with a 2.3turbo/5 speed), I've averaged as high as 37mpg on a road trip, but it was not light.

[@michaelcarmack4731]

The opel is cool was my first car in high school I was excited to see where you were going with this car 🚗

[@rebeccamcgill4306]

i dont know if this will help you ,but we did a swap in the late 1970s in one of these ,had to raise the car ,take the steering and front suspension out of the car ,put a opel wagon motor and trans in it ,set motor and trans in the floor,set car on top of it ,pulled motor up in the engine bay ,and bolted it in .turned out good ,hope this helps.

[@stevewoods7237]

Not telling a man what to do but Danny deserves this car and you should make it a top priority Dan. Good ladies are hard to find brother. As always love the channel what ever way you go.

[@brianhaw9398]

I think the Opel looks great but you will have to alter the hood drastically to fit over that big turbo motor. Who would think a little 2.3 turbo would be that large. Paint looks great from here. But I'm watching on my phone. 🇨🇦👍

[@seangill7985]

She loves her little car even more now. Don't push your luck....finish it for her! She's easy to please, take advantage of that and keep her happy. Under promise and over deliver!

[@brianhdueck3372]

Really I gotta say I dig the lines of that Opel. The frog eyed headlights were always a little excessive I figured but what do I know. Yeah I’d like to hear that little turbo roar for sure. Nice work on the polish

[@sirphilo]

Good job! Can't wait to see the motor installed and running... :)

[@javimacias1215]

A 2.5 liter GM four banger that came on 80's postal jeeps and other cars, would be a great fit on this mini-Vette. Easy to work on, reliable, and automatic as well.

[@tinyskustoms]

Ron Francis... I think thats the wiring harness you are referring to. Ive used a bunch of his kits. They are pretty sweet.

[@Tim-57]

Great to see your smiles.

[@OlysGarage]

Oh yeah that came back real nice! Plus it will further protect it for its stint outside in the weather. Man I would have thought the 2.3L turbo would have more room than that!

[@jasonbose3507]

My sympathies to the pretty lady, I had the same look on my face, he needs to finish this for sure because his manhood is on the line. A knight in shiny armor to save the princess from future sadness and disappointment. The Opel and the Nomad must get complete, the fans and the lady want it done 👍

[@johnwhelan723]

Yis

[@puddleduckist]

Shined up pretty well Dan! Nice job! Can't wait to see it up n runnin one day! It looked like an Ertl muscle machine with the engine poppin out the hood!!!!

[@marygarner5249]

You too make the sweetest couple 💟💟💟

[@hallmark2511]

Cool little car. She's going to look good in it. Come on Dan. She will. Thanks for sharing...

[@pugliesesspeedshop]

Gotta say Dan... I've watched since the first video on your '55 and I've NEVER seen the garage that clean!! We don't need to mention the backyard... Haha!! Car looks great, I knew Dannie would love it!!

[@mythreepigs520]

That opel gt will be worth a lot more money ( if the time comes to part with it )with the correct motor and drive train also easier install . Looks like its in really nice shape

[@ericwilkinson9447]

U mean to tell me I got all excited about the Opel for nuttin 😢😭 Just play'n....... Great job clean'n r up Dan'o 🤘

[@allanperry6507]

Damn Dan your playing with fire 🔥 not finishing Danny's car ,would even make a nice Christmas gift this year. Smiles 😃 from Huntsville Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@blaircrocker9845]

Yeah she actually looked pretty pissed that this wasn't getting done and the 57 was taken apart. Yep playing with fire!🔥💥🔥

[@kenmatthews6476]

I actually like Dani‘ s Opel. I grew up in that era so I would love to see her rollin’ in it. Do the build now so we can see. Lol.

[@williemoon7522]

thank you for shopping Lowes .. i recognize that Kobalt crescent wrench ,,

[@jimmyhamm6041]

I love my faded red look on my truck . Except the roof has a bit more peel than I like.

[@terrallputnam7979]

I used to love those Opel GTs. They were so cool!

[@piranha79velasq62]

Suggestion leave motor on lift turn motor sideways push forward have dani drop it an you save your back just a thought 😁 i would put a small block chevy in that thing👍😎

[@carletonrutherford1799]

There is something so satisfying about seeing a clean garage. I can just imagine how much that was to clean it up. 32:34 Oh, lol. Well, it's not where it was, so that's progress.

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

She was genuinely excited to see it all polished up. The look on her face when you said to comment of you want to buy it...was priceless. Keep plugging away. I'm sure you will find something or some way to get an engine in the Opel.

[@prescottpushor918]

Glad to see the Opel gt again

[@Oldbugssy]

Worth repeating. Dang that GT is looking good! I have never looked at a GT that was this solid looking. I only had Opel Mantas and Asconas that had a bit more room under the hood. Buick v6 swaps were popular but, I stuck with the little 1900's

[@rupertsheldon7081]

Use some comet cleanser and wash of the crud and oxidized paint first. Cust buffing time in half. Not to mention it's alot cheaper than compound.

[@muddyroads4354]

I'm looking forward for this !

[@snoopu2601]

That's what we did in the early 1980s was hand rub the paint out. We were young teen's we had no money for a paint job. Took pride in the old 50s 60s 1970s car's it's what we were able to afford. Brought the 30 20 10 year old paint back to life. Put some either painted wheels or chrome wheels to brighten up the oldie but goodie car's/Truck's

[@rogan1967]

I just did a few days ago i supported your awesome sponsor. I ordered blowing off doors zip up hoodie should have it in a couple days. Can't wait you rock Dude!

[@paco1008]

Dig that you're going to utilize the 2300/turbo & 5 speed. That should push that along pretty well. A little more turbo & injector size & that should fly!

[@randywineinger779]

Too bad I was waiting for the Opel build, nice change for you. Great set up for the kit car build.

[@hansvonschlader8227]

Bouncing Betty there has a cute giggle 😃

[@jamesruffner4880]

Dan you really are a good mechanic don't let others bring you down i watch all your videos and enjoy them Daniel is a very supportive woman i am 72 years old and have like you worked on many cars keep the videos coming Dan by the way i am from Charlestown west Virginia

[@SuperSportstudio]

👍 Opel is cool. not a fan of turbo coupe, but together should be a fun little ride -WHEN done ✌

[@chrisbritt5288]

That looks great

[@jeffreyc6508]

The OG garage looks bigger with a small car and all cleaned up!

[@ferrochinabisleri1587]

Keep working on it!

[@TorontoModifiedKarKlub]

I recently saw a Opel with a V8 swapped in. Now that was Kool. When I first saw your car. I imagined that is what you were going to do.

[@franksgarage8551]

Dont forget the Cobra stripe! That will change it completely! The brake box, a couple bellcranks and you could get the clearance you need. The shine made a big difference for sure! Think you should gitter done though,Dan.

[@jamesglenn2006]

At around the 11 minute mark I really had a feeling I was watching a Garage54 video. So much fun Dan🤣👍

[@bobscott7779]

u might try a jitterbug and the garden hose with 800 wet sand paper, mine came out pristine! just my 2 sence lol

[@danielmorley6213]

The Smile on Dani face made it all worthwhile cool Dan

[@cjdesign5700]

Dan, Get a Buick 215 V8 for the Opel..had a 63 Buick Special Wagon...that motor rocked.

[@blindguysgarage]

The opel looks good I might have to work on it now if I was you lol can’t wait to see what’s next

[@KhonKao]

The Opal didn't want to let go of the motor. It must not want to get put on the back burner. Lol.

[@leftyoverton4347]

“I don’t know what I’m doin here....”. Dan I’m a CHARTER MEMBER in that club! I’ve done my best work during those times. 😆

[@junksautomotive]

Put the 235 strait 6 in that opal. A buddy of mines uncle used to race one with that setup!

[@grandudetonesnob7107]

Is it just me, or does that engine seem to increase in size as it emerged from the engine compartment? I did enjoy Dani's reaction to the quick n dirty polish job. Keep at it!

[@burningcoppergarage]

Laughed my ass off at “you know how I know the earth is round? -This garage.” Excellent stuff man love the channel keep on keeping the hot rods alive

[@irishman63lemans73]

Would like to see that finished. Should get it done for her, look how happy she was with just polishing the Opel.

[@johnd21]

Looks pretty good. I hope you don’t put off fixing it up for her too long. What a great project plus would make her sooo happy.

[@johnlfunches4977]

I'm just looking at your hard time there! With that engine, and I started to think - just mayo it would be easier ,if you took off the front clip, or the radiator bracket, and fender, and once you get the engine and trans back in,then you can put it back together piece by piece - until it all back together-it would also be easier , if you could take the body of the car's frame 🤔- it's just my thoughts - GOOD LUCK DAN ! 👍

[@catman19]

That gooy stuff is pine tar from sitting under trees. Must be cleaned off first before polishing

[@clydebethatway7485]

Dan I put a 262 or better known as the 4.3 V6 Chevy and one of these awesome little car and I do believe it fit better than that Ford engine you’re trying to put in there just saying love the channel and the work you do you poor bastard somehow we must be related