1972 Opel

GT -

4 - Cyl.

Manual

772807119

Clear

Gasoline

THIS MAY SEEM TO BE A LONG AD WITH TOO MUCH DETAIL, BUT I TRY TO PROVIDE ALL THE INFORMATION POSSIBLE. IT'S WORTH THE READ - THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER.                                                   Attention collectors! A collector's dream and an intriguing addition to your collection. For auction is a very nice 1972 OPEL GT 1.9L with 78K actual original miles (engine overhauled/rebuilt less then 500 miles ago). It was driven an average of 2,159 miles per year - much lower than the industry average of 15,000. I am proud to offer you this one-of-a-kind 1972 Opel GT (sometimes called the "mini Corvette"). Opel has been manufacturing cars in Germany since 1898. Opel, GM's European Division, exported cars to the United States in the 1970s and sold them through Buick dealerships as economy cars. They were never particularly big sellers, but nevertheless, some of Opel's models had modest sales success in America, especially the Opel GT and Opel 1900 Manta Rallye coupe. In the mid 1970s, as domestic production of economy cars increased, GM gave up importing Opels (although some newer Opel-based models were marketed as Saturns.) The 'Experimental GT' prototype was first shown at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt in 1965. Opel GT production began in September 1968 and ended in August 1973. During its production run, over 79,000 Opel GT’s were built. The Opel GT was styled chiefly by GM’s Clare MacKichan, who’d played a large part in designing the 1968 Chevrolet before being transferred to GM’s Russelsheim studios in Germany. The GT’s styling has been likened to the Chevrolet Corvette C3 of the same year. This may explain the up-front similarity between the GT and the newly styled ‘68 Corvette, with the same low, sharply profiled nose, blade-type bumper, and hidden headlamps. From the cowl back the Opel GT was very similar to the prototype with an abbreviated tail bearing four round lights (again echoing Corvette), plus shapely flanks and doors predicatively cut up into the roof (with hidden drip rails). The Opel GT has a transverse-leaf front suspension, front-disc/rear-drum brakes, worm-and-roller steering, and a coil-sprung live rear axle located by radius arms and Panhard rod.       There were two engine choices, both overhead valve four cylinders: a 60 horsepower 1.1 liter and a 1-2 horsepower the 1.9 liter cam-in-head unit developed for the midrange Ascona sedan (which served as the basis for the 1969 Manta coupe series styled by Chuck Jordan, now GM Vice-President of Design but then an Opel colleague of MacKichan’s). When equipped with the 1.1 liter engine then Opel GT was really underpowered; but with the more powerful 1.9 liter engine the GT was quick and enabled Opel to offer an automatic transmission. Opel GT bodies were produced by French manufacturers 'Chausson' and 'Brissoneau & Lotz'. Final assembly took place in Opel’s plant in Bochum, Germany.                The cockpit is unusually roomy and functional, with full instrumentation set in an impressive-looking dash. Even dash of the Opel GT resembles the dash of the C3 (on the right picture). The dash is modular and recessed to give the driver and passenger ample legroom, a rarity in 60’s sports cars. The front seats are amazing comfortable – again a rarity in 60’s sports cars. Like Corvettes since ‘63, the Opel GT lacks an external trunk lid, so luggage is loaded from inside, behind the seats. There is a parcel shelf behind the seats that is accessed through the main doors. Behind the parcel shelf is the concealed compartment containing the spare tire and jack. This car is equipped with the 1.9 liter engine that could reach 100 km/h (62.1371 Mph) in approximately 10 seconds. Maximum speed for the GT was about 188 km/h (120 Mph) – although this one’s never been driven anyway near its maximum speed. The Opel GT shared many parts with other Opel models (primarily the Kadett B). Opel also used variants of the GT’s CIH engine from 1966 to 1995 – many parts are available. In both the United States and Europe, there are companies which specialize in Opel GT parts and services; including some new body parts, customizing upgrades and reproduction parts. Larger engines can be adapted to the Opel GT, transmissions and brakes from newer Opel (For example, a fuel-injected 2.0 L engine (110 hp DIN) and a 5-speed Getrag manual transmission from an Rekord E or Manta B) may be used to improve performance. This Opel GT is all original - a superbly good looking car. You will enjoy this vehicle like I and each of the previous owners. The mileage on this vehicle is accurately represented. No signs of collision damage are evident on this vehicle. The exterior looks to be in great condition. There are no dings visible on the exterior of this vehicle. Both I and the previous owner insisted that it be kept in the garage. This car is nearly perfect for 39 year old car and gets a lot of attention - a definite head turner. The body mounts are all in excellent original condition. The frame (chassis), windshield pillars, cowl and birdcage are excellent condition, probably the most solid I've seen. There are very few blemishes on this car, interior is very clean. One unusual feature of the Opel GT is the operation of the rotating headlights. They are manually operated, by way of a large lever along the center console next to the gearshift. Unlike most pop-up headlights, they both rotated in the same direction (counterclockwise from inside the car) about a longitudinal axis. This rotation caused wear on the headlight wiring as the wiring aged presenting a danger of short-circuit (and perhaps fire). Like many Opel GT’s in excellent condition, this car’s headlights have been freshly re-wired. This is your opportunity to own a distinctive Opel GT in very good condition. Most Opel GT’s you see on eBay are used, abused, or heavily modified. This is a beauty!         Recent updates, repairs in this car:                             •     $3,000 four stage      paint                         •     New OEM Opel GT      wheels with new tires                         •     Floor panels were      repaired before paint                         •     New top of dashboard      leatherette dashmat is A+ condition.                     •     OEM Opel GT      complete exhaust with dual muffler purchased directly from                    Belgium                                  •     Rear suspension      kit from OpelGtSource                     •     New Carpet inside                         •     New brake pads,      drums and cylinders                         •     New electrical      harness and relays                         •     Push button for      starting                         •     Engine overhauled/rebuilt      less then 500 miles ago                         •     New Clutch                         •     New Shifter boot                          There are very few flaws in this car:                             •     Heating latch is      stuck in the middle; since it did not slide easily I didn't want to risk breaking      a cable (and besides one hardly needs heat in                    South             Florida                ).           •     Analog clock      stops from time to time (especially when the car isn’t driven) and needs      to be cleaned.                     •     There is a minor      bubbling spot on front left fender under front side marker near the edge      of bumper (see photos).                         •     Two other spots      will require some attention: bottom of the front right turn signal and on      the rear lid seams. If you request, I’ll email you high resolution      pictures of these areas since the eBay photo resolution is too low.           •     Parking brake on      light doesn't light.                         •     Radio isn’t      original – it’s an aftermarket Sony FM/AM Cassette deck.           •     There is a very small      tear on headliner near rear window, hardly visible.           •     I am not sure if      rear window defroster works since I never drove this car on cold days (again,      and one hardly needs defrosting in                    South Florida                  ).                  Car is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Click on any of the thumbnails below for Detailed Pictures of this very fine 1972 Opel GT - the pictures say it all!        SPECIFICATIONS           MANUFACTURER: Adam Opel GmbH,                        Germany                                      MODEL YEAR: 1972                           MODEL NAME: GT                           MILEAGE:                78,075           ENGINE & TRANSMISSION                TYPE: Inline 4-Cylinder. In-Head           Cam           , Solid Lifters                           HORSEPOWER: 102                           ENGINE OVERHAULED: 2008/2010                           COMPRESSION RATIO: 9:1                           CAMSHAFT: Stock                           CARBURETOR: Weber 40 DCOE 19           TRANSMISSION: 4-Speed Manual                           OTHER           CHASSIS: Perfect condition                           READ SUSPENSION: Solid Axle, Coil Springs, Panhard Rod.                WIRING: Headlights rewired (normally done to protect rotating wiring)                         There are GT owner clubs, some with very informative websites, like the Opel Motorsport Club in USA (http://www.opelclub.com) and the very active Opel GT bulletin board website (http://www.opelgt.com). Numerous other Opel GT clubs are active in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and in Germany.