You may remember the classic, sleek Opel GT from the late 1960s through the early 1970s as sort of a European “baby-vette,” which quite readily recalled the styling of the Corvette C3. It’s a simple, beautiful design, but it may surprise you to learn that the car was never actually intended for production.
No, the Opel GT was originally developed as a test bed for various engine and chassis components on Opel’s Dudenhofen test track. The car’s curves were not only gorgeous to look at, but also represented some very advanced aerodynamic design. Pop-up headlamps were among the list of low-drag features that would become widely adopted during the decade following its introduction.
But as website Classic Driver writes, the experimental Opel GT was so well-received at the Frankfurt and Paris motor shows of 1985 when it was unveiled, Opel made the decision to put the GT into production. In fact, the car has the distinction of being the very first European concept to make it to market. It launched as a 1968 model, albeit underpowered with a small four-cylinder mill (1.1 liter base, or 1.9 liter option).
The Opel GT, then, represents an important keystone within Opel’s history. A much-loved, gorgeous coupe, it was very nearly resigned to a tragically quiet life out of public awareness, within the confines of a test track. We’re quite sure it’s a blessing that history had other plans.
Comments
My 70 is stock weighing under 2,000 pounds and over 100 horsepower. Stick that in your VW Bug and smoke it.
There is the story that Porsche laughed off the news that a production Opel GT was at the show, having seen the earlier concept. But when they saw the car they were visibly disturbed because they had already frozen the shape of their 914 due out a year later. Old Opel execs still remember the reaction of Porsche people to the GT. But when the 914 arrived a year later the Opel boys had a far better understanding why the Porsche guys where so stressed the previous year.
Bob Lutz was about to have his own problems. He was taken by a cute young lass on the GT display. She ended up as Mrs. Lutz but eventually the ex Mrs. Lutz. Two beautiful shapes caused problems, one for Porsche and the other for Ultimate Bob.
I love the Opel GT. My Dad took me to the Internationale Auto Austellung (IAA) (Frankfurt Auto Show) in ca. 1966 and I sat in an orange GT. My Dad wanted to buy one but eventually purchased a Fiat 850 Sport Coupe. I have a real soft spot for any Opel GT I might still have the pleasure of seeing on our American roads.
I have even wondered if the Pontiac Banshee coupe had played any roll in the design here or it was chance the Opel had similar lines. The XP833 as it was called internally was being worked on in the early 62-63 and released as a show car in 1964.
The XP833 is the only non Corvette that has been invited to the Corvette Bloomington Gold event. It is now excepted by many as having had help influenced the 1968 Corvette.
http://www.corvettes.nl/gm_prototypes/banshee/