Opel GT

[Groover]

I always liked the Kadette from the late 70's

[Jorg66]

Had a 76 Kadet C [coupe], a '74 Ascona A [that was actual a bit of fun] , a '82 Senator with straight 6cyl. and last one was a '72 Opel Admiral .
For german standards, ...' that was a Boat' .
Nver enough enough coin on hand to fetch a GT.

[moto-uno]

  Well after a couple of months work , the MIGHTY Renault Alliance ( with 1.4L) is running . The head gasket was so blown that the head almost
fell off . Let's say it took some time to hand sand it down to a serviceable flat surface . The gas tank, fuel pump with gallons of 12 yr
old gas was quite the challenge .(can we say "understatement") . I just came back from a road test down the street , well, it was fun .
Not too sure if I'll be able to keep up with the bicycles around here though :) . Peter

[Bulldog9]

  Well after a couple of months work , the MIGHTY Renault Alliance ( with 1.4L) is running . The head gasket was so blown that the head almost
fell off . Let's say it took some time to hand sand it down to a serviceable flat surface . The gas tank, fuel pump with gallons of 12 yr
old gas was quite the challenge .(can we say "understatement") . I just came back from a road test down the street , well, it was fun .
Not too sure if I'll be able to keep up with the bicycles around here though :) . Peter

Should make it to the gas station    My dad went from a Chevettee to one of these.... After 2 years he bought a Chevy Silverado and kissed small cars good bye.

[moto-uno]

  How bizarre is that, I too owned a couple of Chevettes and then progressed up to 3 Renault R-5s ( LeCar), one for parts,
which turned out to be better than either of the 2 others I and my ex were driving at the time . Ahhhh, misspent youth ! Peter

[AJ Huff]

  Well after a couple of months work , the MIGHTY Renault Alliance ( with 1.4L) is running . The head gasket was so blown that the head almost
fell off . Let's say it took some time to hand sand it down to a serviceable flat surface . The gas tank, fuel pump with gallons of 12 yr
old gas was quite the challenge .(can we say "understatement") . I just came back from a road test down the street , well, it was fun .
Not too sure if I'll be able to keep up with the bicycles around here though :) . Peter

I had a friend who had one of those in high school circa 1987. I didn't understand why anyone would want one back then, let alone now.

-AJ

[s1120]

  Well after a couple of months work , the MIGHTY Renault Alliance ( with 1.4L) is running . The head gasket was so blown that the head almost
fell off . Let's say it took some time to hand sand it down to a serviceable flat surface . The gas tank, fuel pump with gallons of 12 yr
old gas was quite the challenge .(can we say "understatement") . I just came back from a road test down the street , well, it was fun .
Not too sure if I'll be able to keep up with the bicycles around here though :) . Peter

Back in my younger days in the 80's I ran a fast oil change place. OMG We dreaded those coming in! There was ALWAYS a issue. Started the phrase "Oh no a Renault!" every time we saw them. My friends dad had one, and he always parked it on the street with the keys in it. Many years later someone stole it. We were all kinda surprised that someone would want it. :)

[Bulldog9]

  How bizarre is that, I too owned a couple of Chevettes and then progressed up to 3 Renault R-5s ( LeCar), one for parts,
which turned out to be better than either of the 2 others I and my ex were driving at the time . Ahhhh, misspent youth ! Peter

Back in the late 80's I was pretty connected to the Christian Rock Music industry. One of my buddies/associates started a Band Called Audio Adrenaline wrote a song about the Family Chevette https://youtu.be/SQNZlDEVoKg 

In a funny and ironic twist and insight to the GM (General Moron) corporate decision making process, they carried over the front suspension from the Chevette into their 'new hot and sporty mid engined' Fiero. The rear suspension for the Fiero was the front suspension from the equally nimble defunct GM X car (Citation/Phoenix) disasters.

Still, I have fond memories of that Chevette which was diesel if I recall.

[Cdn850T5NT]

[Cdn850T5NT]

@moto-uno, Peter, I'm assuming your Alliance is an ohv pushrod engine? Why did you decide to sand the head flat, versus having it planed? I assume the engine is not a wet sleeve design, btw ...?

[AJ Huff]

Still, I have fond memories of that Chevette which was diesel if I recall.

No way!! I thought I had the only diesel Chevette in America. Silver 4 door. And..... Automatic!

-AJ

[moto-uno]

^^ It is in fact a push rod engine with wet sleeve liners . I was in touch with a machine shop here,concerning planing the head and
that was pricey enough,but they wanted 1/2 that price to clean it afterwards . As I already have a large (30L) ultrasonic cleaner I thought
I'd give it a try . 2 sheets of 80 grit paper glued end to end on a 3/4" piece of MDF and I was off, pushing back and forth for a while . When
I saw clean aluminum over the entire head I then finished it off with 100 grit . Seems to have worked well . I fear I'm gonna need a piston
and sleeve kit eventually, but for now it runs and moves . Peter

[Bulldog9]

No way!! I thought I had the only diesel Chevette in America. Silver 4 door. And..... Automatic!

-AJ

His was a two Tone dark and light Blue 4 door hatch and a manual trans.

Came across this Meme a few minutes ago... Classic... lol

[s1120]

No way!! I thought I had the only diesel Chevette in America. Silver 4 door. And..... Automatic!

-AJ

LOL!!!  OMG I drove one a few times and really..  Was there are a slower car on the road??  :)

[Cdn850T5NT]

^^ It is in fact a push rod engine with wet sleeve liners . I was in touch with a machine shop here,concerning planing the head and
that was pricey enough,but they wanted 1/2 that price to clean it afterwards . As I already have a large (30L) ultrasonic cleaner I thought
I'd give it a try . 2 sheets of 80 grit paper glued end to end on a 3/4" piece of MDF and I was off, pushing back and forth for a while . When
I saw clean aluminum over the entire head I then finished it off with 100 grit . Seems to have worked well . I fear I'm gonna need a piston
and sleeve kit eventually, but for now it runs and moves . Peter

 

Will have to bring a Timmies and come for a visit to see it, soon, Peter.

Strikes me that this 1.4 litre transverse ohv bears some relation to the engine(s) in the R5's you had in a past life, no? In other words, you particularly know your way around them...

[wrbix]

Opel GT was my first car when in high school….with the fire breathing 1.1l engine….parts then we’re not an issue - at your friendly neighborhood Buick dealer…parts now are remarkably easy (OpelGTparts.com or something I think). Body rot is what gets them.
Interestingly it was styled BEFORE the C3 ‘vette.
I replace the clutch twice in mine - likely not a design fault but my burnouts to blame.
The swinging headlights were simple mechanical linkages with few issues if not abused.
The transverse front leaf spring was pretty novel.
No rear seat but the rear parcel shelf was perfect for an evening’s twelve pack.
The gas cap is iconic and must weigh five pounds.
Oh the memories!
Saw one recently for sale parked on the way home but not up to another project just now.