Intro:
For your consideration is this very nicely set up, restored, fun driving, and upgraded Opel GT that retains its original engine and has a manual transmission. There is so much value in how nicely set up and well driving this GT is along with how excellent it looks. Key upgrades include a 5 speed manual transmission, performance engine build (high compression pistons, big valves, higher performance cam), dual Webber 40DCOE carburetors, and a full suspension upgrade. This GT went through an extensive rotisserie cosmetic restoration in 1990, mechanical restoration at the same time, and has been driven only a couple thousand miles since that work has been performed. I have a stack of receipts for all of this work. It has a solid body, looks beautiful, and is well sorted mechanically. This is a car from my personal collection. I have had this GT a few years and purchased it from the gentleman that had it from 1980 until 2021. I have performed thousands of dollars worth of work within the past couple years to make it a dependable driver (ex: new fuel tank, fuel sending unit, new wheels and tires, electronic ignition, etc.). The GT has just been fully detailed receiving paint correction, interior detailing, and engine bay cleaning. It is a stunning car which can be seen in the photos and video.
Extensive footage is included for you here including 280 photos, a 15 minute video, and a detailed write up. I treat the listings of my vehicles very seriously and want buyers to be confident in what they are getting. See my 100% feedback and buy with confidence.
Regards,
~Shane G.
Photos:
280+ photos are provided showing so much of the car including general exterior, exterior details, interior, engine bay, underbody, and more.
Video:
A 19 minute video is provided showing the excellent condition of this GT. Clips include exterior presentation, exterior details, interior, engine bay, starting, drive by clips, interior driving, and underbody. Please note the excellent condition and glossiness of the body, great shape of the interior, how excellent this GT drives and sounds, and how solid the underbody is.
Exterior:
This GT is an incredibly beautiful and presentable automobile! The excellent condition high quality black finish helps show off the GT’s curvaceous body. As stated this GT underwent a fully disassembled, rotisserie restoration around 1990. The GT was brought down to bare steel prior to repainting. The whole body and undercarriage were sandblasted prior to refinishing (receipt included). Quality body work was performed. The panels are smooth and look excellent. The windows and seals were removed for repainting so masking lines are NOT present. Even though the finish is 34 years old it still is in impressive condition and is exceptionally glossy. In June of 2024 the GT underwent a full cosmetic detail. The finish was wet sanded with 3000 grit, buffed, polished, and sealed. The pictures and video help show how reflective and beautiful the finish is. The finish is 34 years old and is on a 54 year old car so there are some minor showings of age such as a few minor stone chips and a few minor scratches here and there (some which have been touched up). As stated though the finish truly is impressive and is better than would probably be expected on an Opel GT.
The body is very straight. It is believed to not have been in any accidents. Gaps throughout look proper. There are numerous photos and video clips showing the top and bottom of the valence, rocker panels, door jambs, and underbody showing this car is exceptionally solid! There is one notable ding on the driver rear wheel well. That ding, while not standing out badly, is probably the most notable flaw on the exterior. The doors open and close with ease and with a nice “thunk”. The glass is in decent shape with no cracks or major stone impacts but there is some scratching which could be polished out at some point. The chrome throughout is original so it shows some typical patina, a few dings, but is still presentable. Lenses throughout are in nice shape with the front being new. The silver XXR rims are new as of 2023 and look excellent on this GT, contrasting nicely against the black.
The quality of the exterior on this GT is not concours Ferrari level but it still is very impressive and well beyond what would be expected for an Opel GT. As a whole, the exterior presentation of this car should meet the needs of the enthusiast looking for a beautiful example.
Interior:
The interior on this Opel GT is very nice. It is shown extensively in the photos and video. Various parts of the interior are new and some are original. Some of the new parts include proper original style loop cut carpets, seat vinyl, and headliner. These new pieces are essentially perfect or near perfect. The seats are comfortable with good foam. There are no stains in the carpet. Typical to these cars the top of the dashboard had some cracking so a new dash cover was installed and looks presentable. The remainder of the interior generally is original and presentable condition with some expected patina. The door panels are good with some typical minor marks here and there. The gauges look good. The front area of the dash and center console is presentable and expected condition for the age with a few marks, checking, or patina here and there. There are no odd smells or major issues in the interior. It is a nice presentable place to be.
Mechanical:
One of the biggest values in this Opel GT that really makes it stand out from the rest, in addition to how beautiful it is, is how extensively sorted it is mechanically AND how upgraded it is. So many of these upgrades truly change the driving characteristics of the GT bringing it more towards the proper sports car it should have been from the factory. So many of these upgrades are pricey and no longer available.
The engine is original to the car. It went through a full rebuild with upgrades at the time of restoration. There are receipts for so much of this work. Some of this includes 2000CC pistons, higher compression, big valve package, solid lifters, upgraded cam, new bearings, rebuilt distributor, valve job, head rebuilt, etc. A HUGE upgrade is the addition of dual Webber 40DCOE carburetors, and the associated upgrades of intake manifolds, electric fuel pump, and a header. When is the last time you have seen an Opel GT with dual Webber side drafts? The carbs and other mods completely change the characteristics of the car. The sound the induction makes is absolute music to a petrolhead’s ears and helps stir the soul!
Another huge, and costly, upgrade to this GT is the addition of an Opel 5 speed transmission with custom driveshaft. This makes driving the GT on modern roads at modern speeds much more enjoyable. At time of installation, examples of other new parts include the clutch, pilot bearing, etc. The other biggest upgrade is a fully refurbished and upgraded suspension. Ball joints, tie rods, bushings, springs, and etc. were all new when the GT was restored. The front spring is the very rare and hard to come by stiffer rating and lowers the front end a bit. The anti-sway bars front and rear I believe are upgraded to thicker/stiffer than original (did the USA GT even come with a rear anti-sway bar?) and have poly bushings. Rear springs are uprated from original. With the addition of upgraded 15” x 8” rims and modern, brand new 205/50/15 Yokohama Fleva performance tires, this GT handles way better than one would expect! It is an absolute pleasure to toss around in the twisty roads.
Various original parts are included as well such as the original Solex carb, intake manifold, air box, four speed transmission, another full dashboard with gauges, and more.
This is a get in and go car that can be dependably driven sportingly. It starts easily and holds an idle. It goes through the whole RPM range well with no stuttering. It does not consume fluids. It shifts excellent with no issues. It brakes properly without issues. The steering and suspension are nice and tight. Keep in mind it is a 54 year old car so there are always silly minor things that eventually pop up or could be sorted out. Some of these on this GT include: the speedometer takes a few minutes of driving before it starts working, a minor drip of oil will be left on the ground after driving, and so on.
Examples of new parts and work performed 2022-2024:
New XXR 15” rims with new 205/50/15 Yokohama Advan Fleva performance tires
Carbs rebuilt and adjusted, misc new linkage parts
Electronic ignition installed, timing adjusted
New water pump and belt
New fuel tank and sending unit
New starter and relay
New temperature sending unit
Oil changed
New steering coupler bushing
New rear springs
New brake master cylinder and new booster installed, brakes bled steering adjusted
New turn signal flasher kit
New front turn signal lenses (original included)
New dash cap
New Driver side rearview mirror
Extensive detailing completed 6/22/204: Paint correction (wet sanding, buffing, polishing, touch up), engine bay cleaning, interior detailing
Conclusion:
This GT is the type of example for a driving enthusiast that wants a beautiful and unique example. These GTs weigh only 2,000 lbs. The significant maintenance and mechanical upgrades performed (engine work, Webber 40DCOE carbs, 5 speed transmission, and suspension upgrades) cause this little Opel GT to be an impressive driver! This GT out handles so many of the other comparable classics I have had (ex: 240Z, Spitfire, Healey Bugeye, TR6, 911 SC). When I purchased the GT I originally was looking to purchase a vintage Lotus. This GT offers so much of that experience at such a lower entry point, lower parts/maintenance cost, and arguably with a more beautiful body.
The beautiful condition of the body is another significant area of value for this GT. The excellent condition and recently detailed black finish shines over that sexy body. This GT is so solid and will look this good for a long time.
The ownership experience for an Opel GT is great. This is quite the unique and attention getting car to take to a Cars and Coffee or car show. There is a strong friendly supportive community with multiple Facebook groups and excellent, helpful, and reasonably priced parts suppliers like Opel GT Source. There is additional value in how extensive of documentation there is for the cosmetic and mechanical restorations of this GT, in addition to the recent work performed.
This excellent of a condition GT with such extensive cosmetic and mechanical documented restoration work, and such extensive mechanical upgrades is very unique, and thus difficult to value. I have tried to set the asking price fairly with these things in mind. I am selling the GT due to capacity and space as I have four additional sports cars I enjoy and maintain. If you do not think the asking price is fair, offers will be considered. The GT is located at my residence in Sussex, WI 53089 USA. It is absolutely no problem if you need the car transported and I can refer you to transporters I have used. Pending distance and for a fee I could consider personally delivering the car in my enclosed trailer. I am open to various payment methods (wire transfer, cashier’s check, cash). This GT has a clean title and is ready for your ownership.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I prefer chatting on the phone but text messages and messages through Ebay work fine too.
Regards,
~Shane G.
262.391.1069