The car life of this beautiful Opel GT started in California, where it was given the registration number 753 GVQ. (More than 70 percent was exported to America.) After leaving his mark in the United States, he came to the Netherlands in 1998 with his current owner, who has owned the sporty Opel for almost 23 years now.
By: Dirk de Jong
We shook our heads in despair when Joop indicated that he had nothing to do with classic cars. He saw this Opel GT as an art object, separate, completely different and now rare, some models are just that.
Car as a means of transport
As a financial numerator at his administration office, he visits his relations in an ordinary everyday car to get around comfortably. You now understand that the love for the Opel is not genetically determined and it is even driven sparsely. Nevertheless, we appreciate that the 'art object' is maintained in optimal condition.
Dream became reality
Joop: “I was about 16 years old and my neighbor had a bright yellow Opel GT/GTJ. A car with a fast appearance, beautiful hatching headlights. When the neighbor allowed me to move the car 3 meters it had a huge effect on me. Immediately completely captivated by the Opel GT, showing the thought of polishing and sporty driving. It gave me admiration and excitement and the decision to own one myself, which I finally succeeded in 1998. There was only one condition, the car had to be bright yellow to keep the memories of my childhood alive. (The pale yellow color that arose from the scorching sun in California, of course, became a bright yellow lacquer coat again in the Netherlands.) So for me no hassle (!) with Opel clubs, no tinkering, but only enjoying the possession and of course the driving pleasure.”
nice anecdote
In Joop's story, an incident drew attention. When the purchase was completed, the owner reversed the car from the garage and came right to the pole – which had been there for 33 years – with extensive damage. Disappointment for both buyer and seller. In close consultation, a solution was found at a professional body repair shop to restore the car to its original undented condition.
Careful choice for maintenance
Joop knows from experience that the choice of a garage is a very important one when maintaining young and old timers. The knowledge is often no longer available at large modern companies and the supply of parts – such as that of the Opel GT – can also cause the necessary concerns.
Compliments archive
It will come as little surprise that the Opel GT gets a lot of attention on the road, it is a picture to see. The past comes back to life for Joop and brings back unforgettable memories. With every ride, the compliment archive is filled with smiles and thumbs up. That's how a dream became reality.
Also read:
- The Opel GT. Fifty years, loved and far too short built
- Opel Elektro GT. Electric experiment with six world records in 1971
- Opel. The swinging sixties
- The Opel Kadett GT / E. Rare and peppery coupe
– Much more about Opel
ALL, ntv ; the GT was a low budget idea based on the Corvet. But, of course it was an Opel, because GM!
Nice car!
I am the lucky owner of 2 garages. 1 indoor and 1 attached by the 1st owner of our house, to create a…. Opel GT to be stored.
Only 1,95 wide, restriction of wealth.
Nice anecdote, told by the neighbor.
The garage has a side door. The man drove his car exactly so that he could open the door in the doorway. So he got out, a little tight but it went.
I've parked an E30 in it for years and it currently has a Z3. Required to stay slim to get out.
once the four of us fit in a Dauphine! Pokke things have shrunk so much
i.e. Global Warming.
YES RUN FOR YEARS BUT IT WAS ONLY A 1200 CC VERY BEAUTIFUL BUT THAT WAS ALSO EVERYTHING , DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND ROAD STABILITY JUST BAD HAD A BAG OF CEMENT STICKED LONG IN THE BACK OF 50 KG BUT COME BE YOUNG AND THE EYE ALSO WANT HIM .
Reminds me of my NSU TT 1200. Didn't dare to go full throttle in fourth gear, then went in all directions. But it did have a rev counter!!
The GT was not a Porsche. It was a sporty coupe but not a sports car. It was built on the chassis of the Kadett B, so with transverse leaf spring at the front and wishbones / reaction rods with coil springs at the rear, with a rigid rear axle and a Panhard rod. Just like the Kadett, it had anti-roll bars front and rear to dampen the leaning in corners. In fact, the original chassis of the B-Kadett with leaf springs at the rear was also found unsuitable by Opel. The GT was already in 1965 at the IAA in Frankfurt but had to wait no less than 1968 for the Kadett B2 modification to come on the market.
Also owned a GT and a speedster super nice cars but unfortunately for the oldtimer among people no more fun to clamber in and out so unfortunately have to get rid of it still itches when I see one I'll keep it now the record is also a car that you hardly see anymore
In 1970 the car designers had not yet retired.