Looking back at the Opel GT

In my younger days (in the 1970s), there was a neat car that I saw only once in a while (eg on October 18, 1978) that was really cool - the Opel GT.

It was a small two-seat sports car whose design was reminiscent of the Corvette, but it was smaller and, I thought, more exotic.

Here are some neat factoids from Wikipedia:

The Opel GT was equipped with a base 1.1 L OHV I4 engine, which produced 67 hp (SAE) at 6000 rpm. However, most buyers chose an optional 1.9 L SOHC engine, which produced 102 hp (SAE) at 5200 to 5400 rpm. A three-speed automatic was only available with the 1.9 L engine. The model run of the Opel GT was from 1968 to 1973.

The Opel GT used a steel unibody and a conventional front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout. The Cam-In-Head (CIH) engine was mounted far back in the chassis to improve weight distribution. Front suspension consisted of double A-arms and a transverse leaf spring. A live axle and coil springs were used in the rear. The power-assisted braking system used discs in the front, drums in the rear. Steering was unassisted.

One unusual feature of the Opel GT was the operation of the pop-up lights. They were manually operated, by way of a large lever along the center console next to the shifter. Unlike most pop-up headlights, they rotated about a longitudinal axis.

The Opel GT had neither an externally accessible trunk nor a conventional hatchback. There was a parcel shelf behind the seats that could only be accessed through the main doors. Behind the parcel shelf was a fold-up panel that concealed a spare tire and jack.

The interior of the Opel GT was surprisingly large for a car its size, owing to the large greenhouse. Headroom and legroom were sufficient for those over 6 ft tall.

During 1968 to 1973, a total of 103,463 cars were sold. The most collectible GTs are probably the first 1,453 cars made in 1968 and the ones with the 1.1 L engine, which totaled out at 3,573 cars. 10,760 of the later cars were the cheaper model (GT/J) which lacked nearly all chrome parts and less standard features. In some markets, items like a limited slip differential, front and rear anti-sway bars, heated rear window and engine bay light were standard, although most cars were shipped without them.

There weren't all that many Opel GTs in Canada - at least I never saw that many. That was part of its appeal.

The one I saw on October 18, 1978 (in Owen Sound) was purple.

Here are some cool pix, though none of these ones are purple.