Opel GT 1968-1973

[henk4]

The styling is a direct rip-off of the Toyota 2000GT... of course... uglified a little.

It was presented well before the Toyota, at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1965.

[pat_ernzen]

It was presented well before the Toyota, at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1965.

Hmm... looking back at it now, I wouldn't say it was a direct copy. I honestly hadn't realized that the Opel Expreimental GT (the Opel GT's concept name) debuted in 1965.

Opel Experimental GT
Developed: ?
Debuted: Sept. 1965 (Frankfurt Autoshow)
Produced: Sept. 1968

Toyota 2000GT
Developed: 1963
Debuted: Oct. 1965 (Tokyo Motorshow)
Produced: 1966 (Racing) 1967 (Production)

However, the concept to production version of the Opel GT did change in some ways that are very similar to the 2000GT (headlight revisions, foglights, etc). I'm not sure on the details, but I had heard there was a bit of controversey over the Opel's design and it's similarities to the 2000GT. That's why I posted my comment earlier... I guess it was a little exaggerated.

Anyway, the Opel GT is a kind of cool car, but it doesn't really have a whole lot going for it in my opinion. Cool pics though.

[henk4]

Hmm... looking back at it now, I wouldn't say it was a direct copy. I honestly hadn't realized that the Opel Expreimental GT (the Opel GT's concept name) debuted in 1965.

Opel Experimental GT
Developed: ?
Debuted: Sept. 1965 (Frankfurt Autoshow)
Produced: Sept. 1968

Toyota 2000GT
Developed: 1963
Debuted: Oct. 1965 (Tokyo Motorshow)
Produced: 1966 (Racing) 1967 (Production)

However, the concept to production version of the Opel GT did change in some ways that are very similar to the 2000GT (headlight revisions, foglights, etc). I'm not sure on the details, but I had heard there was a bit of controversey over the Opel's design and it's similarities to the 2000GT. That's why I posted my comment earlier... I guess it was a little exaggerated.

Anyway, the Opel GT is a kind of cool car, but it doesn't really have a whole lot going for it in my opinion. Cool pics though.

Thanks for the update, I remember that the Opel was a concept in 1965, based on the standard Kadett/Olympia chassis. It was purely a new body design, and below that it really had not much going for itself although the 1.9 litre 90 BHP at that time provided decent performances. (the 1.1 litre was absolutely nothing to write home about) It was sold in large quantities and still can be reguarly seen on European roads. Here is one pictured in January on the Maastricht Interclassics, presented by the Dutch Opel club.

[smxi]

Opel GT#9

[Vaigra]

Opel GT #10

[Vaigra]

Opel GT #11

[Vaigra]

Opel GT #12

[Delmaster]

Opel GT

[Revo]

Opel GT #14

Quite possibly the best picture of Opel GT ever taken.

[Ferrer]

Quite possibly the best picture of Opel GT ever taken.

LOL

[MCarN]

1968-2008: The Opel GT is 40 years old and still looking stunning! Some info and rare hi-res photos:

40 Years Opel GT « MotorCar News

[Ferrer]

Opel GT #16

[csl177]

The styling is a direct rip-off of the Toyota 2000GT... of course... uglified a little.

Actually a miniature Corvette C3, which was a rip-off of Ferrari 250 GTO styling cues. GM wanted a sportier model than the Manta for the US market; the GT's styling was deliberately aimed at US buyers.

[henk4]

Actually a miniature Corvette C3, which was a rip-off of Ferrari 250 GTO styling cues. GM wanted a sportier model than the Manta for the US market; the GT's styling was deliberately aimed at US buyers.

timelines look a bit mixed up.

The GT was based on a concept shown in 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but it took three years to reach production stages. (in France). The final version did not deviate much from the original concept, so one could even say that the 1967 introduced C3 borrowed some clues from the GT. (I have the nagging feeling that there are some more GM concepts from the early sixties that have the same shape, but can't nail them). The Manta only entered production on 1970 (response to the Capri), so it could not have played a major role in the introduction strategy for the GT.

[Timothy (in VA)]

(I have the nagging feeling that there are some more GM concepts from the early sixties that have the same shape, but can't nail them)

You might be thinking of the original Pontiac Banshee concept of 1964. It certainly has a lot of the same shapes as the Opel GT and the C3 Corvette.