Opel GT: two generations and a thirty-four-year gap

The Opel GT is a two-seat sports car that Opel built in two generations separated by a 34-year gap. The original GT of 1968–1973 was a front-engine, rear-drive fastback with a distinctive pair of rotating hidden headlamps; the second GT of 2007–2009 was an American-made roadster.

Opel GT at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Opel GT.

History of the Opel GT

A design study became a car

The first GT appeared as a styling exercise in 1965, at the Paris and Frankfurt motor shows, and went into production in 1968. It used mechanical components from the Opel Kadett B and two-door hardtop bodywork from the French contractor Brissonneau & Lotz. The styling, by Opel designer Erhard Schnell, was often compared with the Chevrolet Corvette that went on sale in September 1967. It was a fastback with neither an externally accessible boot nor a conventional hatchback: a parcel shelf behind the seats was reachable only through the doors, and behind it a fold-up panel covered the spare wheel and jack.

How it was built

The GT had a steel unitary body and a front mid-engine, rear-drive layout, with the engine set far back in the chassis for better weight distribution. Front suspension used upper A-arms and a lower transverse leaf spring, the rear a live axle on coil springs. Brakes were discs at the front and drums at the rear, with servo assistance, and there was no power steering. The hidden headlamps were unusual: they were operated by hand, with a large lever on the centre console next to the gear lever, and instead of rising they both rotated counter-clockwise on a longitudinal axis.

Sales and the second GT

The base engine was a 1.1-litre overhead-valve four of 67 hp, but most buyers chose the 1.9-litre cam-in-head unit of 102 hp; American cars lost power in 1971 when emissions rules forced the compression ratio down, leaving 83 hp. A cheaper GT/J without most of the chrome was sold in Europe. Between 1968 and 1973 Opel sold 103,463 GTs, including the hand-assembled early cars, 3,573 with the 1.1 engine and 10,760 GT/Js. In North America it was sold through Buick dealers, and there was no Vauxhall version for Britain. Production ended because the car needed redesigning against newer rivals such as the Datsun 240Z, and because Brissonneau & Lotz’s contract ended.

The second GT, built from 2007 to 2009, was a rebadged Saturn Sky roadster made in Wilmington, Delaware, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Ecotec four of 260 hp and 18-inch wheels. It replaced the Speedster in Europe but was never sold in Britain, because the American plant could not build right-hand-drive cars. After the 2008 General Motors bailout the GT died with Saturn and Pontiac, and only two 2010-model cars were ever made. A GT Concept with a 145 hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine followed at Geneva in 2016.

Design and features

• Rotating headlamps: hidden lamps worked by a lever on the centre console, turning on a longitudinal axis.
• Kadett B mechanicals: a small, light sports car built from parts Opel already had.
• Fastback without a boot: luggage reached through the doors, over a parcel shelf.
• Corvette-like styling: Erhard Schnell’s shape was often compared with the 1968 Corvette.

Opel GT versions

• GT 1.1 (1968): the base model with 67 hp, 3,573 built.
• GT 1.9: the cam-in-head engine of 102 hp, the popular choice.
• GT/J: a cheaper European version without most chrome, 10,760 built.
• GT (2007–2009): the Saturn Sky-based roadster with 260 hp.
• GT Concept (2016): a rear-drive study with a 1.0-litre turbo three.

The first GT used the mechanicals of the Kadett and was replaced in 2007 by a car that took the place of the Speedster. More cars are in the Opel collection.

Video: Opel GT Coupe

Video by Truckerfighter on YouTube.

Sources

• Opel GT, English Wikipedia: both generations, engines, chassis, production figures