1968 Opel GT Prototype

The Opel GT Prototype, introduced in 1968, was a significant milestone for Opel and the sports car market. It evolved from its initial 1965 Experimental GT concept, which had debuted at the Paris and Frankfurt Motor Shows. By 1968, the GT was nearly ready for production, with the concept taking a more refined shape while retaining many distinctive features.

Evolution from Concept to Production: The Opel GT was heavily influenced by the Pontiac Banshee concept, especially in its styling, particularly the round headlights. This was a clear nod to the American sports car aesthetic, which gave the Opel GT its sleek, aggressive look.

Concealed Rotating Headlamps: A standout feature of the Opel GT was its concealed headlights, which were quite rare at the time. These headlights rotated in a counterclockwise direction to open, and the action was manual, making it a unique mechanical detail. This added an extra touch of innovation and style to the design.

Engine Options: Initially, the Opel GT came with two engine choices:

• A 1.1-litre 4-cylinder engine offering a balance of performance and economy.

• A 1.9-litre 4-cylinder engine offering more power and a sportier experience.

By 1970, Opel dropped the smaller 1.1-litre engine, focusing solely on the larger engine for the GT, aligning with the desire for increased performance in the vehicle.

Bodywork and Assembly: The bodywork of the Opel GT was fabricated in France by Brissonneau and Lotz, a company known for its work with high-quality car bodies. Once the bodies were finished, they were shipped to Bochum, Germany for final assembly. This collaboration with French manufacturers was an interesting cross-border effort, contributing to the GT's distinctive look and feel.

The Opel GT gained a reputation for its stylish design, affordable sports car pricing, and enthusiastic performance, especially considering its relatively compact size. Though the production version had a modest start with two engine options, it went on to become a beloved sports car for the Opel brand, remaining in production from 1968 to 1973. It is remembered as one of the most iconic European sports cars of the era.