1970 Opel GT

The Opel GT was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1965, intended to be show-car only, however, following public acclaim, series production eventually commenced in 1968. It was a sleek fastback coupe with a long pointed nose, a short rear deck with an integrated aero-efficient Kamm tail, and blade-type bumpers. GM designer Clare MacKichan, who was earlier responsible for the styling of the '55 Chevrolet line-up, penned the athletically stanced Opel GT.

The running gear and chassis of the Opel GT were sourced from Opel's Kadett GT. In the front was a transverse-leaf suspension, while the rear used a live axle with coil springs, radius arms, and a Panhard bar. Braking was provided by front discs and rear drum brakes. The steering used worm-and-roller steering gear and the engine was by either an overhead-valve 1.1-liter four-cylinder with 60 horsepower or an overhead-cam 1.9-liter four-cylinder unit sourced from the Opel Manta coupe.

Since Opel was a GM subsidiary, the GT was imported to America. Both the European and American markets favored the 1.9-liter engine backed by either a standard four-speed manual or optional automatic gearboxes.

Production of the GT was brief, continuing through 1972 when the Kadett was discontinued.

In the United States, the 1970 Opel GT Coupe had a base price of $3,330. Engine options included either the 67 horsepower overhead-valve four-cylinder unit or the 102 bhp four. Standard equipment included a four-speed manual, dual chrome-plated tailpipe outlets, an electric clock, bucket seats, a tachometer, and transistorized radio.

1970 Body colors included Sunburst yellow, Rally Orange, Brilliant White, Flame Red, GT Chartreuse, and Strato Blue. The interior colors were black vinyl. Cars with Brilliant White exteriors had red interiors and Strato Blue exteriors with buckskin.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020