All posts in Opel

1972 Opel Manta 1.9 GT/E

by Paul on May 21, 2013 in Opel with No comments

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With the introduction of the Mustang in 1964, Ford was successful in taking the rather ordinary Falcon and turning into something extraordinary that consumers lusted after. While the Plymouth Barracuda went on sale two weeks before the Mustang, it was when the Mustang was launched that the Pony Car wars begun. A similar trend followed across the pond, with the introduction of the Ford Capri in 1969 with the tagline “The Car You Always Promised Yourself.” One year later, Opel decided to have a go at the coupe market with the Manta, which was based on the Ascona. This car had a cult following amongst the youth in West Germany and even had a movie named after it entitled Manta, Manta. The Manta was also one of a handful of Opels that would be sold on Buick forecourts in the US market.

This Manta for sale south of Nuremberg, Germany is the hot one, the GT/E, which has the 1.9 liter engine with Bosch L Jetronic fuel-injection.

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Year: 1972
Model: Manta GT/E
Engine: 1.9 liter inline four
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 34,700 km (~ 21,500 mi)
Price: €18,900 ($24,335 USD)

Click for Details: 1972 Opel Manta GT/E on Mobile.de

Manta A 1.9E (GT/E) in 1a condition. The car was rebuilt at the end of the 1990s with no expense spared. Overhauled engine, 5-speed gearbox, brakes, internally ventilated Supersprint exhaust system with headers, new headliner and new carpet, sports seats from the i200, ATS 7×13 with 205 tires. Recent TÜV inspection, service, H-plate. A very nice vehicle that is hard to find in this condition. Sit down, drive on, have fun.

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I’ve always liked the look of these early Mantas, as they foreshadowed a bit of the E24 6 series in their front profile. My father bought a 1972 Manta Rallye new from the Buick dealer. The Rallye was a sport package that included a different gear ratio, tighter suspension, fog lights and a gauge package. It also could be differentiated by its hood, which was painted black. He still looks back on that car fondly and it’s not surprising, given their excellent handling and noted racing successes.

Over $20,000 for a Manta is serious coin. Even though they are different cars, the closest thing we got to the GT/E in the US was the Rallye. On a good day, the best Rallye out there might fetch $7,000 to $10,000 in this market. Then again, the Manta is beloved in its domestic market, so this car might scratch the itch for someone on a serious trip down memory lane.

-Paul

1972 Opel GT

by Paul on April 4, 2013 in Opel with 4 Comments

With the introduction of the Toyota GT-86/Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, a whole new generation has been introduced to the idea of a compact, rear-drive sports car. Hopefully the appearance of these cars spurs other manufacturers to follow suit, giving us all a breath of fresh air from humdrum compacts and the glut of SUVs out there. In the meantime, there are plenty of classic rides out there that fit the bill; notably, German ones. Sold in the US while Opel made an appearance at Buick dealers, the GT looked like a three quarters scale C3 Corvette. It shared mechanicals with the Kadett and its body was manufactured by the French concern Brissonneau & Lotz. A little over 100,000 of these two seater sports cars were made between 1968 and 1973.

This Opel GT for sale in California comes to our attention from our reader, Lewis, who happens to own it. It has been restored in a comprehensive manner along with a number of tasteful updates and modifications.

Year: 1972
Model: Opel GT
Engine: 1.9 liter inline four
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 29,000 (new speedometer)
Price: $18,000

1972 Opel GT

In 1965 Opel styling staff at Russelheim unveiled a concept car, the Opel GT at the Frankfurt Auto show. A popular hit at the exposition, GM soon sent over Clare MacKichan, who helped pen the Corvette to massage the design, based on the Mako Shark dream car. However, there are other influences including the aero Kamm-back rear end like the Pete Brock Daytona race car and the sensuous rounded fuselage of the Jaguar E-Type. Perhaps one can see in the Pontiac Banshee, a take on the Opel GT Headlights. The car was designed around the cockpit, with the engine moved back behind the front axle for more sports car handling feel. A four cylinder 1.1 Liter engine was initially offered, later bumped to the 1.9 Liter engine offering 102 horsepower. Unfortunately, after 1970, the engine was detuned in the US.

This car has the 4-speed manual transmission and the 1.9 Liter engine from a 1969 model with solid lifters and Weber carburetor. Compression is stock. The 1969 engine is rated at 102 horsepower. This rust-free car was painted a metallic and pearl variation of “Strato Blue” by Matt Wagner in Elizabeth, Colorado who works for the team of Precision Design, a hot rod and custom shop. The paint includes a “ghost stripe” along the driver’s side of the car.

The interior has been updated with black vinyl and ultrasuede inserts in the seats. Opel insignia is cleverly embroidered at the headrests. Door panels also sport ultrasuede inserts. A Pioneer stereo with custom made speaker enclosures are handsomely detailed. The typically broken clock has been replaced with a manifold vacuum gauge. For a small premium over a completely stock Opel GT, one finds the updated stance, premium materials in the interior, extra sound-proofing, better tires, electric radiator fan and excellent stereo along with a more contemporary color. This is a striking and fascinating car to drive.

Opel and GM stylists found inspiration in many different sport cars of the era, from Peter Brock’s Daytona coupe design with its Kamm back tail to its rounded fuselage flanks like a Jaguar E-type, one comes to the front fender pontoons and sharp edges of the Mako Shark concept car. Americans compare the styling to the 1968 Corvette of the time, but the Opel GT beat the Corvette to market and one cannot ignore the more sensual rounded quality in other parts of the body.

Paint custom applied by Matt Wagner at Precision Designs in Denver, CO., it resembles the classic Strato Blue of the original, but there is a hidden extra, a subtle asymmetrical ghost stripe along the driver’s side of the car, following the hood, roof line and extending to below the rear bumper. The bumper upright overriders have been left off to create a wider look. LED backup lights nestle under the rear bumperettes. Japanese XXR 16” Minilite style wheels hold two sizes of BF Goodrich G-force T/A tires. The front end has been minimally raked. All lamps, including the swivel headlights work as they should. New windshield glass, seals and trim around all glass makes for a beautiful presentation. Windshield washer and foot-pump operated mechanism works as it should. Doors slam with a good thunk, given they are shielded with dynamat sound proofing.

The Germans said “Only Flying is Better!” when advertising their GT. The interior certainly has the look of a fighter pilot’s cockpit. Large tach and speedo are straight ahead, ammeter, oil pressure, water temperature and gas tank gauges to the side. Replacing the inoperative clock (the Pioneer CD AM/FM head has a clock in it) is a vacuum gauge. All gauges work properly. The speedometer needle waivers a bit. Dashboard has been reskinned. All interior lights work. Two speed fan works properly as well as emergency flashers, the gauge potentiometer. Only the cigarette lighter seems without power. Gear shift knob is a new reproduction and the emergency brake handle is machined aluminum with a pattern that matches the new emergency handle boot.

Carpets and seats are new with ultrasuede inserts on the seating surfaces as well as the door car upholstery. Heater works perfectly. Fresh air vents work perfectly. Pioneer stereo has custom made speaker enclosures at the footwells and on the back shelf. Steering wheel still has the rare wood “grain” molded into it. The back deck that housed the spare tire has been converted into an area for a custom tool box, chassis jack and can of tire sealer and inflater. The tires are now too wide for the spare tire enclosure. The back storage area is insulated by a solid upholstered material held in with five knurled knobs. The back deck has tie-downs for luggage. The headliner is new and the the courtesy light enclosure has been hand polished to a chrome like beauty. The interior has been insulated with dynamat sound insulation.

While the body is a 1972, the engine is from a 1969 GT and sports solid lifters, flat top pistons and a higher compression ratio yielding 102 horsepower in stock form. The Solex carburetor has been upgraded to the sturdy Weber 32/36 dual barrel unit and has been professionally tuned (see mechanical details for compression readings and exhaust gas readings). The engine and transmission were stripped of paint and sealed with engine clear. All aluminum parts were stripped and left exposed aluminum. Engine now has a 100 amp alternator with an auto electric pusher fan installed. A larger, higher rated battery is also employed. Electronic ignition has replaced the old points and condenser. Custom housing allows stock air filter and cold air intake to be utilized. Under the car there are no leaks. Suspension has been cleaned and painted flat black. New rear shocks, urethane bushings on the front suspension. Brakes have new pads and have great feel. Steering is tight and car tracks straight.

1)2007-2009 Car painted and assembled in Denver, CO
2)2012 Car shipped to California for mechanical refinements, interior and exterior finish work.
3)New Weber Carburetor, Opel original cold air intake, Electronic Ignition, Electric radiator fan, timing chain, timing chain guides, oil pump, battery, 100 amp alternator, solid lifter adjustment, plugs and timing adjustment, radiator recored.
4)New rear shocks, front spring polyurethane bushings, new rack and pinion dust cover seals.
5)Gas tank venting tubes replaced.
6)Interior luggage area redesigned and upholstered.
7)Center console restored, with brake boot and brake handle. Dynamat sound insulation installed.
8)Windshield washer system restored.
9)Vacuum gauge placed in clock location.
10) Instrument binnacle re-skinned.
11) All window glass trim replaced. Both driver and passenger door window replaced.
12) LED back up lights installed. Rear tail light bezels and lenses replaced.
13) New BF Goodrich G-force Radial T/A’s installed over 16” XXR wheels and custom made Opel insignia hubs. Front end aligned.

145-155 lbs compression in all cylinders (November 2012 reading)

Exhaust Gasses: car tuned with a gas analyzer (November 2012 reading)
@743 rpm
HC: 154 ppm
CO: 1.88%
CO2: 9.9%
O2: 5.4%
NOX: 56 ppm

A lot of Opel GTs I see knocking around are project cars or are in fairly rough shape, but this GT is a different story. I was always of the opinion that the original equipment wheels and tires were a bit small on the GT, and critics blamed this setup for the car’s tendency to understeer at the limit. Seeing this particular one with these aftermarket wheels affirms my belief, as it has a more aggressive stance. At $18,000, this is pricey territory for a GT, as a good one will usually run you somewhere between $10,000 to $15,000. The seller is open to negotiation, which is a good sign. Regardless of the list price, however, this well-documented GT is one of the best I’ve seen in quite some time.

-Paul

2008 Saturn Astra XR

by Paul on October 31, 2012 in Opel, Uncategorized with 3 Comments

In typical General Motors fashion, by the time Saturn started offering some very competitive products, a 2009 bankruptcy forced reorganization that saw the demise of what was once billed as “A Different Kind of Car Company.” In 2008, GM brought the Opel Astra to the US market, virtually unchanged from its European counterpart. GM predicted much larger sales for the Astra than it realized, with just under 12,000 sold in 2008 and a little over 6,000 sold in 2009 before the plug was pulled on importation of the C-segment hatchback. I drove a 2008 Astra XR 5-speed similar to the car featured here for sale in Tennessee. With 1.8 liters and 138 horsepower, it’s not fast but has adequate power to keep up in traffic and has decent handling dynamics. It drives similar to a Golf, but you can certainly sense you’re in something just a bit different.

2008 Saturn Astra XR on eBay

2008 Saturn Astra XR hatchback coupe with approximately 66,000 miles. I am the original owner. I ordered this car from the factory before it was released, and in fact this was the first Astra sold in Arkansas. Never wrecked or smoked in. It’s in excellent condition with normal wear. Very minor blemishes – some scratches that I filled with a clearcoat pen, the rims have some curb rash, and the roof rails have been refinished and repaired due to a flaw in the factory finish.

All service has been done by a Saturn dealer or an authorized Saturn GM service dealer, with the exception of minor services I did myself (replaced an emissions valve, spark plugs, and air filters) and tires installed by an independent tire shop. All other work including all oil changes have been done by Saturn. I have all maintenance records. I have taken great car of this car; I drive conservatively and have not abused the car. All the service recommended by Saturn has been done on time except for changing the brake/clutch fluid. I don’t think it’s necessary yet.

The reason I’m selling is that I have two small children now and it’s rather difficult to put car seats in the back. I really would like to keep the car, but kids and finances say I must sell. I ordered this car with all available options except automatic transmission. It’s a manual/stick shift. It gets great gas mileage; I usually average a little over 30mpg. It was designed and built by GM in Europe, so it drives and handles like a European car should (it’s identical to the Opel Astra). The build quality is fantastic, like a much more expensive car. It has power everything, advanced audio package with 6-disc CD changer with upgraded dash display and seven speakers, premium trim package with heated leather seats, and factory 18″ sport wheels with performance tires. The tires are the same Pirelli style that came with the car (but they aren’t the original ones), and they have probably 50%+ life left. The car has rain-sensing wipers, power windows, remote power locks with alarm (I have both remotes/keys), automatic headlights, OnStar, stability control, and six airbags. I had the windows tinted when I bought the car; I don’t remember how dark (I think 35%) but I do know it’s legal in Arkansas and Tennessee. It still has the GM powertrain warranty until March 2013 or 100k miles.

The title is clean with no liens. This car must be seen and driven to appreciate. Feel free to ask any questions or come for a test drive.

The seller’s asking price is set just above what trade in values are constituting; rather reasonable considering the condition of the vehicle and that it is a well equipped two door version with the manual transmission, arguably the most desirable of the Astra lot offered in the US. I’ve always appreciated the swooping roofline of the two-door model and with so few imported, these Astras offer used car buyers an alternative to the Golf and myriad of other Japanese subcompacts. It reminded me a lot of my MkIII GTI 2.0. Not a screamer of an engine, but a great cruiser with solid build quality and entertaining handling.

-Paul

1992 Opel Lotus Omega

by Paul on October 19, 2012 in Opel with 5 Comments

I like to try and feature something a bit special on Fridays here at GCFSB and I think it’s safe to say this super saloon falls into that category. The Opel Lotus Omega and its sibling, the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, were for a time the fastest four-door car you could buy, with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds. Starting with rather humble Opel Omega mechanicals, the boffins at Lotus upgraded the 3.0 liter inline six to 3.6 liters and strapped two Garrett turbochargers to boost power to 377 horsepower and an impressive 419 lb ft of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was deemed adequate to handle the power of this machine, if it was a bit crude in comparison to the rest of the package. Upgraded brakes and suspension bits along with 17” Ronal wheels rounded off the package.

In two years, a mere 950 cars were produced, all wearing the shade Imperial Green. About 60% of which were the version you see here, the Opel Lotus Omega. Similar to the current MINI Cooper, these cars were a German and British collaboration, but are significant enough to gain our respect here at GCFSB. With a fiercely loyal following the Lotus Omega and Lotus Carlton still fetch strong money on the used market. This Lotus Omega for sale in Switzerland is a lightly used example with only 8,500 miles on the clock.

1992 Opel Lotus Omega on Anamera

One owner, Swiss delivery. All documents, perfect condition (the corresponding km). Guaranteed accident free and mileage. Production Number: 566

Compared to that other brute, the Mercedes-Benz 500E/E500, the Lotus Omega has faired better in terms of market value, no doubt due to their rarity. Closing in on $49,000 makes this a car for the serious collector; punters need not apply. A quick search of Mobile.de, a large German automotive classified site, only brought up four examples for sale, ranging from a 1991 model with 40,000 miles for $26,000 USD to a 1992 model listed at a little over $37,000 USD with 56,000 miles. It appears $25,000 to $30,000 is the sweet spot for these cars, so this extremely low mileage example is for those who really want an unmolested, almost like new example.

Right now, the Lotus Omega and Lotus Carlton are eligible to be imported to the United States under the Show and Display Law only. For those in need of a good laugh or an example of government run amuck, check out the Code of Federal Regulations in Title 49: Transportation, § 591 for more details. But have faith enthusiasts. In 2015, these cars will be exempt under the 25 year rule and will be able to be enjoyed by anyone willing to go through the motions of getting one of these Q-ships stateside.

To get a taste for what the Lotus Omega is like in action, here’s an Autocar review of the similar, right-hand drive Lotus Carlton with a bit of drifting action at 2:30:

-Paul

1959 Opel Olympia Rekord

by Paul on July 9, 2012 in Opel with Comments Off

Starting in the late 1950s, General Motors began to import cars from its longtime European subsidiary, Adam Opel AG. The Olympia Rekord was one of the first cars from this company to make it to our shores, resembling a bit of a scaled down 1956 Chevrolet. Powered by a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine, it didn’t mirror the Chevy in the power department, but in post WWII West Germany, this car was second best seller behind the Volkswagen Beetle. I’ve never seen one of these cars here on US soil, and this example for sale in Massachusetts is amazingly well preserved for a 53 year old car.

1959 Opel Olympia Rekord on eBay

I am listing this car for a friend of mine, a 1959 Opel Olympia Rekord. As the owner of Bill Daley Opel Parts, Bill is selling this Opel from his private collection and has owned this car for 30+ years. It is an original rust free California car and has always been garaged. The interior is all original except for a new carpet. The engine, 1.5L 4 cylinder was rebuilt years ago and runs excellent. The transmission is a column shift 3 speed. The car has always been started every year. The body is rust free and the front fenders are nos. The original fenders had many dents so Bill replaced both before painting. The paint is 25 years old and was painted the original Neptune Blue. Also, included are NOS tail-lamp housings, door moldings, rubber door gaskets, etc. The mileage is 39,000 kilometers. This is a fairly rare car as not many were imported to the United States by Buick.

At least in the US, putting a value on this car is difficult, as there aren’t many comps by which to evaluate it. A quick scan of Mobile.de, a German vehicle marketplace, shows a few Olympias between 1957 and 1960 pop up, ranging from €5,500 to €7,500. Based on that, the asking price of $6,450 seems in the ballpark, although maybe closer to $6,000 or a shade under might spark a little bit of interest, as this car has been listed once before. The market in the US for such an obscure GM import isn’t large, but you would certainly be the center of attention at a classic car meet, amongst the slew of 1950s and 1960s American iron that would inevitably show up.

-Paul

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