62 replies to this topic

[Blown03SVT]

Good call on the engine JB. I had no idea they were all 4 bangers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_GT

[Casey]

I think these boxes would've been better choices:

 

 

[Casey]

that buick v6 is very nice too though totally inappropriate for this car.

 

Since it's not the stock engine, one could argue any engine would be appropriate, but considering the diminutive size of the car itself and the fact these cars were marketed and sold through Buick dealerships in the U.S., the Buick V6 makes a lot of sense to me. From pics I've seen via on of Mark's/Scalemaster's Super7 builds in which he used the V6 block, the engine doesn't have much detail, which is typical of AMT kits back then.

 

I will try to dig up the topic, but I recall someone from Round2 stating the tooling needed to be cleaned up, and I know Chuck Most mentioned the hood in the RC2-ers reissue was ill-fitting, so I'm guessing Round2 spent most of their budget for this kit backdating parts and repairing the molds. The Polyglas GT tires and aluminum injector tubes are another nice bonus, which Round2 seems intent on including with the older reissued kit to give us more value.

[azers]

From the directions it looks like the 4 banger is so basic it does not even come with a starter.

[jbwelda]

>Since it's not the stock engine, one could argue any engine would be appropriate, but considering the diminutive size of the car itself and

>the fact these cars were marketed and sold through Buick dealerships in the U.S., the Buick V6 makes a lot of sense to me.

 

you have a point there but not hilborn-esque fuel injected V6 with big ole intake stacks sticking through the hood. i would almost put money that nothing like that ever existed (but thats usually a sure sign that i am going to lose).

 

really too bad there arent SCCA road course parts included, now that would be appropriate. but i will get one anyhow. appropriateness is kinda over rated sometimes.

[Casey]

you have a point there but not hilborn-esque fuel injected V6 with big ole intake stacks sticking through the hood. i would almost put money that nothing like that ever existed (but thats usually a sure sign that i am going to lose).

 

I call. 

 

 

I can't ever recall seeing any other Hilborn style injection setups on a Buck V6, though, so I would agree that while making sense on paper, it was rarely done in real life.

 

 

really too bad there arent SCCA road course parts included, now that would be appropriate. but i will get one anyhow. appropriateness is kinda over rated sometimes.

 

A set of four-lug Minilite wheels would've been a nice inclusion, but they shouldn't be too hard to source....or just find a set of Watanabes.

 

I will probably pick one up and build the targa concept on the left:

 

 

 

Here's a decent article on the car, with some nice reference shots:

 

http://hooniverse.co...in-the-opel-gt/

[plowboy]

Buddy Ingersoll ran an injected dual turbo V-6 Buick Regal in Pro Stock in the mid '80s. Unfortunately, when he got the bugs worked out and began putting the hurt on the big blocks, it got declared illegal. IIRC, there were a few Indy cars during that time period that ran a similar setup.

[horsepower]

Thanks guys. Not my best but ill get better. All they had at my lhs was the white, now ill hunt down the yellow one. I bought it for the buick v6. The tires and wheels are bonuses. I am going to combine this v6 with the one in the indy 500 firebird and should be able to build a fairly accurate engine since they are both the same block.

If you don't need them I am looking for a set of the four spoke chrome wheels that are in this kit, they are close enough to the old Appliance wheels that I had on the Pinto that my wife & I had as our first car. Those are about the last parts I need to start on a model of it. I wish I had that back, it was the most reliable car that I have ever had. Fast too, with a minor tune, long tube headers & a 2 1/2 inch diameter exhaust system it sure surprised a lot of V-8 powered cars locally.

[azers]

After looking over this kit more and from the wifes input im going to build this little car stock with the four cylinder . I havent been so excited to build a model till this came out. This will be fun.

[Tom Geiger]

Wow, those L60s are going to look HUGE on this car. I was surprised how tiny and compact these cars are after seeing one up close a few years ago, but they do have some nice lines.

 

 

I've always thought these were cool since I lived in Germany when they were new.  

 

 

Per Casey's photo above, the modern Opel GT is available as a Maisto diecast.  Here it is on the left, next to the US Saturn Sky which is a dead ringer! Maisto also does the Pontiac version. 

 

I'm glad to see the kit back, but why in that odd size box?  

Edited by Tom Geiger, 17 March 2013 - 08:27 AM.

[Casey]

I'm glad to see the kit back, but why in that odd size box?  

 

So they can include the art print.

[Austin T]

I don't know why, but I REALLY want this kit. Would of bought it at HobbyTown if it wasn't $30!

[Sixties Sam]

Looks like a nice kit. I built the original kit in about 1970. I used the V-6 in a T-bucket rod. the 6's shorter length allowed me to shorten the frame by about 6 scale inches or so. I always thought T-bucket rods looked too long with V-8's. Here's a pic of the T. I rebuilt it about 10 years ago. The inset in the photo shows what it looked like before. It was covered with dust and literally falling apart!

 

Sam

 

[azers]

After opening the kit and seeing the extra tires and the aluminum injection stacks i didnt mind paying 29.00 when regular kits are running 25.00.

[jbwelda]

wow sam, that looks awesome in that T! the motor is killer for lots of applications thats for sure.

[Pro Wrench]

There was a guy here locally that had an Opel GT with a 500+ inch big block that he raced in Pro Gas about 10 years ago. It was a beautiful full tube chassis car and was brutally fast. As soon as these kits become available around here I plan on picking up a few to build into various types of drag cars.

[midnightprowler]

The current Opel GT in this pic is based on the Saturn Sky, in fact, nearly identical, and they were built on the same assembly line.

Edited by midnightprowler, 18 March 2013 - 12:16 AM.

[heinz74]

we had a lot of these cars around here back in the '70's

it was partswise loosely based around the Manta and Kadett..the biggest displacement engine available was a 1900cc 4 cylinder at the time..(Belgium also got a small 1200cc ,for tax reasons)

compared to a 'Vette it was pocket size ,and only capable for being a 2 seater ..roadhandling was pretty horrible also..as was rustprevention

nowadays in Europe most of them leftover are more or less restored in original condition..

as customizing back in the late '70's -early '80's didn't do much good for the cars image..not many survived that way..

some of them recieved hideous bodykits and wide arches back then hoodscoops ,285 rear tires ..the works..

 

enginewise upgrading a GT ,would have been the fuel injected 2.0 liter out of the second generation Manta (115 din hp)...6 Cylinders in a original 4 cylinder car (like the kit is offering)..were a no-no in most European countrys back then..

also the more rare option somethimes taken was/is the 2.2/2.4 cylinder unit found in Rekord and first gen Omega's..

with hot cams and double 45 Weber sidedraughts it would produce around 140-160 din hp..

 

Stateside ,i'd propably go for a 350 Chevy small block..and sufficient rear end.....knowing the dimensions underhood and chassiswise of these cars ..i guess it would fit ..

 

BTW ,i know you guys got the GT/J over there..it was basiclly the same minus the chrome trim..(and rust)

 

grtz from Holland

[Tom Geiger]

The current Opel GT in this pic is based on the Saturn Sky, in fact, nearly identical, and they were built on the same assembly line.

 

The stuff you don't hear about... GM built the Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstace, Opel GT and get this... A Daewoo G2X all on the same assembly line in Wilmington,  Delaware. The Opels were exported to Europe and the Daewoos to Korea.  We only hear about cars being imported here, not the other way around.

[GMP440]

   I bought the kit today.  I was impressed by the organized layout of the box contents.  However,  I am not a big fan of the flat box.   It has all the parts just as it did when this was out back in 71' and 72', when I last built this kit.   I don't remember back then having a third style hood.   As mentioned earlier in this thread , there is only one chrome reverse wheel.  Wonder if Round 2 spotted this.   Also, there was mention of a little flashing not trimmed from the windshield frame.  That's an easy fix.    Some costs would have been saved if they used the smaller regular size model box and not included the artwork.   Those two things would have been the only changes I would have made to the kit.

  It's an excellant kit.   I'll have fun building this one.