Highlights

Lovely example of rare Opel two-door
Older restoration
Very rare in the UK
Five-spoke Borbet alloys and five-speed conversion

The Appeal

First shown at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept car and pre-dating the Corvette C3 on which many people believe it to have been based, the Opel GT is a sensational-looking machine that’s also a very simple car to maintain by virtue of its Opel Kadett running gear.

Its party trick is its lever-operated rotating headlights, but aside from the aerodynamic lamp arrangement, it’s also an agile and thoroughly enjoyable car to drive, especially in flagship 1.9-litre form with the lively cam-in-head engine as shared with the Opel Manta.

Designed by Corvette stylist Clare Makichan, the rear end is pure C3 with its four round taillights. The GT was Opel’s first two-seater sportscar since 1924 and it gave a good account of itself, the light weight giving it agile handling and impressive performance for a four-cylinder car. It weighed just 940kg, meaning it could reach 115mph flat-out. Its steel body was built by Chausson and trimmed by Brissoneau et Lotz in France, before final production build in Opel's factory in Bochum, Germany.

This one – left-hand-drive as all factory cars were – is a well-presented and much-loved example. An older restoration, it still looks great and sits on a set of purposeful five-spoke Borbet alloy wheels. Look closely and you’ll see that it also has a clever numberplate.

It’s a lovely thing - and promises to be huge fun for its next owner, especially if you’re in the market for a cool and different Sixties sports car.

The History and Paperwork

UK V5C
MOT, tax and ULEZ/CAZ exempt
Some historic invoices
Manufactured in 1969 as a US-specification car, originally Fireglow Orange with automatic transmission
Imported to the UK in 1980 and competed by its previous owner
Refinished in Maserati Rosso Red with Borbet alloy wheels and a five-speed close-ration Getrag manual transmission fitted by previous owner
TOAD immobiliser and alarm
Original sales brochures and a selection of magazine articles included
Old MOT certificates
Owner’s handbook
OPE 169G (OPEL 69 G) registration number included

The Condition

Older restoration that’s still in great order
Repainted in Maserati Rosso Red
All panels and paint in good overall condition with no dents, damage or significant marks
Some signs of corrosion in both rear wheel arch lips
Corrosion to the inner edge of left-hand headlamp unit
Appears solid underneath but with light surface corrosion to some components
Five-spoke 15-inch Borbet alloy wheels with high quality Bridgestone tyres all-round
Some light kerb marks to wheel edges
Chrome tarnished on rear bumper but all trim and badges present and correct
Black vinyl seats in good order
Period wood-rimmed steering wheel
Electric cut-off switch
Tidy headlining, door cars and carpets
Modern JVC stereo with USB input
Small nick in centre console
Overall sound, presentable and good condition with some slight cosmetic attention required to take to the next level

The Mechanics

1.9-litre cam-in-head (CIH) 4cyl engine
Close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual gearbox
Weber 32/36 DGV carb
Recent full stainless steel exhaust system
Electronic ignition
Electric cooling fan
Recored radiator
Reconditioned starter motor
Recent oil service and transmission oil change
Reported by the vendor to be in very good running order with no declared faults or issues

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.

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