Miguel Sánchez
By the 60s Opel was known for practically the same as it is today: a German brand of rugged cars For the day to day. It is true that some versions of models such as the Rallye Kadett they surpassed 100 horsepower thanks to almost two-liter engines and a clear sporty disposition, but… The truth is Opel was clearly focused on meeting the transport needs of the average German family.
However, we already know that design departments are usually places where restless creators take refuge with a taste for working behind the back of management. And so, with that eagerness to do something new and exciting, Erhard schnell and his team came up with the first concept car in Opel history, which would eventually become the Vauxhall GT.
With its sporty character and muscular lines, this project was completely outside the commercial line in which the company moved. This was totally disruptive, so intrepid designers counted on management vetoing their project upon learning about it. But curiously, whether it was to think of an emerging young and enthusiastic market wanting access to an affordable sports car or for sheer seduction in sight, the fact is that the board said yes.
Thus, the prototype was presented at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show with enormous success. In fact, during the 3 years that the development period lasted, the press did not stop chasing the test models. Tests that ended in 1968 giving way, at last, to Opel GT. The little German sports car that is now 50 years old and was clearly influenced, like the Capri, by one of Detroit's muscular cars.
OPEL GT: A COCA-COLA WITH ITALIAN CONNECTION
With the exception of some high-end gran turismo, its body lines were something new in Europe. In fact, they resemble the muscular forms of the popular American sports cars so much that it is impossible not to see similarities -on a different scale that yes- between the Opel GT and the Corvette C3; curiously both released the same year. The sinuous and "American" of its design quickly earned it the nickname of "The car shaped like a Coca-Cola bottle".
And wow, just like the drink… The Opel GT I needed bubbling and caffeine to have the "sparkTypical of a cheerful sports car. The basis of the recipe was the block mounted on the Opel Kadett, which had shown good performance in models such as the Rallye. However, it took the legendary Alfa Romeo coach Virgil Conrero to improve thrusters.
Engines offered in 1'1 and 1'9 liters, able to deliver 60 and 90 HP of power respectively. A power that, although not overwhelming, it is enough to practice a joyful driving with this compact sports car with a low point of gravity, rear-wheel drive, excellent aerodynamics and around 900 kilos on scale.
The truth is that the 1-liter version was the most popular; in fact, people didn't seem to care that the Opel GT lacked an externally accessible trunk or other amenities: with 103.463 units counting both engines and gearboxes - manual 4 and automatic 3 - until 1973 the GT was a sales success. So much so that from 1969 Conrero started to promote Opel instead of Alfa Romeo.
A UNIQUE INHERITANCE
The success of the Opel GT was so significant for the brand that it was inspired to use it as the basis for a pursuit of sports development rarely seen in the German house. Of course, with its particular touch… And we are talking about electric and diesel versions! Yes, an electric model that already in 1971 reached 189 km / h with the name of Electric GTWhile Opel's diesel engine research division did so much research into the car's capabilities that the concept car achieved no more and no less than 18 world records in its test year, 1972.
Curiously, and although these experiments did not work badly ... Opel did not debut seriously with electric motors until the launch of the Ampera relatively few years ago; and regarding diesel ...
Well, the idea of a diesel sports car did not seem to be successful, did it? Ideas that stayed by the wayside, like the targa version called Aero GT.
Curious units aside, the truth is that the Opel GT marked a milestone in the history of the brand, which years later would launch other sports coupes popular like the record, el Cadet or Calibra. Models that stand out within the history of a brand that was not born for sportsmanship, but that with this GT he offered an accessible and seductive sports car that, even 50 years later, has not lost an iota of its charm.
