**** Dec 8 price lowered to $16,500, down from $18,250 ***
Opel GT 1970 1.9 Liter 4 Cylinder Coupe, 4 Speed Manual: Mostly complete upgrade, vintage classic German “corvette style” sports car turns 50 years in 2020, modified for reliability and safety with new stock crate engine (2,018 miles as of January 2020) with lots of zip. Custom design nose, and flawlessly redone exterior / interior, custom ground effects & custom body work, custom wheels (radial tires 185/06R14), new steering & brake system, ball joints and tie rods, cream and tan leather interior, upgrade bucket seats, redesigned custom whiteface dash instruments, beautiful candy apple professional high gloss finish. Second owner. The GT has been in our family since mid 1970s. This was an upgrade restoration project. Garaged and covered, driven around block monthly only to run engine, and have taken it to car shows. Road worthy, perfect for collector or nostalgic car enthusiast. Guaranteed head-turner in town or on-the-road. Appraisal provided (2010) @ $20k. Listing for sale date began in 2020. Clear title. Car garaged and covered in Springfield, Mo, can help buyer arrange shipping in the US (priced additional or buyer arranges own shipping or pick-up). I am available for serious buyers for live video walk-through and virtual drive. Contact me to arrange.
Please enjoy these videos:
Opel GT engine tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaPnABO3eqQ&t=1s
Opel GT virtual drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GvtZeKlmI
Undercarriage Evaluation (November 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2bCvT-U3a8
Additional details related to items a buyer may want to know:
This Opel was never in any accident or stress / distress during its life, never driven "hard" or in a "race", as it has been kept in the family since 1977.
During rebuilding, this Opel was and still is garaged and covered with a car cover and only driven briefly to keep the engine active.
The latest mechanical upgrade in late 2020 was for new front end ball joints, tie rods, bushing replacement performed by a high-end import (Mercedes Benz, BMW, Range Rover, etc.) car mechanic (parts from Gill at opelgtsource.com).
We have a receipts folder and historical paperwork for work done over the years (this was a labor of "love" over time by a family member who is now passed). Unclear how complete all records are (can't find body paint receipts, but was told by the family member the paint job was over $10k). We have paper receipt records from late '90s thru to 2018 (I've gone through most of it). Best we know the engine was the first item rebuilt with new short block, starter and flywheel in 1995 (2,121 miles on engine today).
We have identified the following items with two mechanics that are to be done on this Opel GT to bring it even further to "original". Any interested buyer today may feel free to make an offer and complete these minor items yourself.
The 4-speed manual transmission reverse gear pops out if you let go of the shifter. This does not impede reverse driving. All forward gears operate fine. To fix the reverse gear, according to Gill from opelgtsource.com a new/rebuilt transmission needs to be installed.
All parts and instructions to fix much of it can be found at: http://opelgtsource.com/ Speak with "Gil" who has known this car for 20 years 800-673-5487
**** NOTE: THIS OPEL GT IS "ROAD WORTHY". THE ITEMS BELOW ARE NOT CRITICAL TO OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS BELIEVED IT CAN PASS INSPECTION, DEPENDING ON THE STATE THE OWNER LIVES IN. THESE ITEMS ARE NOTED AS A LIST OF 'TO DO' TO BRING THE OPEL GT UP TO NEAR PERFECT. LISTING OF THESE ITEMS DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS A CRITICAL PROBLEM, RATHER, IT'S TO INFORM A POTENTIAL BUYER OF THINGS THAT A 50-YEAR-OLD CAR EITHER NOW OR WILL EVENTUALLY NEED ATTENTION DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THE NEW OWNER DESIRES TO FULL RESTORATION. ****
The asking price assumes a potential buyer may wish to finalize some of these items themselves. If a buyer wishes to have these items completed by me, JP, the price would be adjusted higher. The current estimate in my area by my mechanic to handle all these items is between $1,500 and $2,000 US including parts.
LARGER ISSUES*:
- Reverse gear "pops out" unless gear shift is held in place (there is no "fix readily known"; requires new transmission, apx $250 not including installation)
- Gas gauge doesn't read 100% accurately (sender unit or dash gauge)
- Needs front end alignment (pulls to the left, will cross yellow line completely within ~100/200 feet - after new ball joints installed didn't have alignment done).
- Hood Latch needs installed (not critical to driving as the hood hinge is in front, wind won't cause hood to "fly open")
- Horn replacement (its getting weak voltage, could be steering column wiring)
- Backup light (bulbs or wiring)
- Passenger seat belt needs installed (part not included)
- Warning flashers (4 way flasher switch replace)
- New wiper blades
Note: horn operation, backup light and wiper blades likely needed to pass state inspection in most states (verify this in your own state).
All parts can be obtained online and at http://opelgtsource.com/ ask for Gil.
MINOR ISSUES:
- Engine fan shroud missing
- Transmission pan gasket replacement (leaks a few drops/week check fluids, over all transmission status)
- Windshield spritz system needs installed
- Spare tire bin: Shelf, screw jack to install (as per original; shelf not "critical"; jack needs to be purchased)
- Undercarriage minor rust spots in seat pans (confirm structural integrity - see "undercarriage video" above - not critical to vehicle operation)
- 2 Doors: outside window seal needs installed (water seal)
- Emergency brake button release temporarily sticks (a "slight wiggle" releases it)
- Radio is not hooked up, no speakers installed
- Will need new tires soon depending on frequency use of car (tires are 10+ years old with 90% tread life, micro cracks in tread due to age)
NOTE: The above items are subject to the "opinion" of a potential buyer as to "major / minor" issues. I list these with an attempt for "full disclosure". This Opel GT is not fully restored as some higher cost GTs, and is priced accordingly. Our three-point listing price analysis takes into consideration this GT is not "100%" fully restored, but it is greater than 90% restored.
Estimated mileage on the body itself is likely around 90k (I drove it as a teenager "gently", I didn't race it, once to Chicago from Missouri and back with a girl I just met. Such are the unwise follies of youth). The odometer was reset to zero when the new engine was installed no later than 2010. When my brother took over the car to restore it, he rarely ever drove it. Kept it in garage covered, with dehumidifier.
VIN # available. Doesn't have usual number of digits of modern cars (50 year old car).
About the Opel GT
The 1970 Opel GT turns 50 in 2020, and has has become an iconic, classic sports car that has a lot to offer in a small package. It was styled to look like a smaller version of the C3 Corvette and was engineered by Germans for healthy performance. The first prototype was introduced at the 1965 Frankfurt Auto Show and went into production from 1968 to 1973. Owned by GM, they came to the states and ended up in Buick dealership showrooms. 1973 marked the final year of production of the proper Opel GT (there was a resurgence in 2007, which was essentially an Opel-badged Saturn Sky). This is one of 11,380 cars produced. This Opel GT has a new stock crate engine with just over 2k miles and is ready for it's next GT enthusiast.
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