1971 OPEL GT

KEY FACTS

• A charming example of the classic sports coupe, benefiting from prior restoration work at various points in its life.
• Under the bonnet is a 1.9-litre inline-four engine producing 102bhp, delivered to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox.
• This left-hand drive Opel GT is an original UK-delivered car, first registered in September 1971.
• It is accompanied by significant history, spread over four files and a large amount of paperwork. There are detailed photo albums of its restorations over the years and correspondence between owners.
• The most recent private keeper has owned the car three times over its life, totalling 45 years in their care, and they confirm the genuine mileage.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The bold interior is lined in a striking red vinyl, with co-ordinating red plastic trim across the dashboard and vinyl door cards, and a red leather-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel.
• A JVC radio/CD player has been added, paired to speakers in the parcel shelf. These are the only modifications.
• The four history files are included in the sale, documenting the car’s previous restorations as well as its service history, invoices and receipts. There is also a letter from the original owner as well as its current registration certificate, original service book, owner’s manual, workshop manual, and several photo albums. The complete ownership history from new is also known and documented.

CONDITION

• The car has no known bodywork damage. It has, however, been restored at least twice in its life, which is well-documented throughout the files.
• The paintwork is in very good condition, following a full respray in 2019, now showing only some minor bubbling on and around both doors.
• There is slight pitting to some of the brightwork, corrosion on both wiper arms and a small scratch above the ‘GT’ badge on the offside front wing.
• The red interior is very presentable for its age. There is some minor wear visible on the carpet and the centre console near the handbrake lever. The door cards are also missing their speaker covers, and there is a small perforation on the inside of the driver’s door shut where it meets the B-pillar.
• There are no known electrical faults.
• The most recent MOT test was in June 2018 at 68,482 miles, which it passed with several advisories. These included slight play in the offside front wheel bearing, slight binding of the nearside front brake, and the rear tyres were slightly perished.
• Due to its age, the vehicle is exempt from mandatory MOT testing.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The most recent service took place in August 2019 at 68,482 miles when THM Sport adjusted the brake light switch, refitted the bonnet trim, checked and refilled the oil, replaced a leaking radiator cap, and replaced an ignition coil.
• Prior to this, THM Sport also serviced the car in June 2019, when they investigated a poor starting issue and traced the fault to an ignition coil, which was replaced. They also replaced a sensor and repaired the earth connection to the offside dipped beam headlight.
• The car was serviced in December 2016 by THM Sport, who diagnosed a faulty head gasket following reports of overheating. The cylinder head was removed, and the head gasket and water pump were replaced. Finally, they also had the alternator repaired.
• There are further service details in the history files accompanying the car.

SUMMARY

A rare sporting coupe with bags of character, this Open GT combines American-inspired design with a compact European layout. Boasting an impressive and extensive history file, and remaining mechanically unmodified, this charming classic would make a fun and unusual companion with which to attend a variety of car shows and events.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.