1970 Opel GT 1900 - the "Baby Corvette" (1/24)

[1959scudetto]

Opel in the early 60’s  had a similar image problem like Chevrolet in the 50’s (good old “stovebolt  6”): dependable, but boring cars  – an image boost was urgently needed:  Initiated  in 1963, the “Opel GT Experimental” prototype was presented  at the 1965  IAA in Francfort/Germany. The enthusiastic public reaction led to the development of the street car, which finally went into production in 1968.

Technically based on the compact Kadett, the bigger engine came from the Rekord limousine (1,9 ltr., 90 hp, top speed 115 mph), a second version with smaller engine from the Kadett (1,1 ltr., 60 hp, top speed 97 mph) was discontinued in 1970 as considered too weak and therefore unsuitable for such a sporty looking car (proved by low sales).

The  attractive body was designed under GM’s supervision and shows many similarities with the new Corvette from the coke-bottle shape silhouette to the front and rear ends – therefore sometimes called “Baby-Corvette”.

As Opel had no further production capacities for the body, it was sourced out to French company Chausson (built also the Renault Caravelle and the Citroen SM bodies), whereas  Brissoneau & Lotz  were responsible for paint and interior. Final assembly with the drive train happened in Germany.

More than 103000 cars were built (the majority  went to the U.S. – sold via  Buick dealerships) until production finally ended in 1973 for 2 main reasons:  Chausson had finally been acquired by Renault who needed their facilities for producing their new Alpine A 310, whereas American safety regulations would have made some big  modifications – almost a relaunch -  necessary.

So finally Opel pulled the plug.

In the Quattroruote series , Hachette/Fabbri  released a nice 1970 Opel GT (in rally orange)in 2009 made by Ixo under the Metro/Leo models name.  2015 it was reissued in the Vintage Auto de luxe series in lemon yellow (therefore both with Italian license plates), a few years later from whitebox in a light blue metallic color: everything opens, even the headlights pop up (rotate like the real one).

The latest release is the red 1968 Opel GT in the German Hachette Opel collection (no openings). - actually available from the usual European sources.

Here are the first 2 (from the Italian newsstands):

Edited August 31, 2023 by 1959scudetto

[caapa]

Oh YES !

One of my all time favorite. Very nice models.

I had one in 1:66 Schuco the GT version but my little son lost it. Many years later I could replace it.

[webestang]

Those little guys are so cool! A buddy in HS had one, dark green. Fun Fun! Great looking die-cast.