Rusty But Trusty

On the curves per dollar scale, there aren’t many more cost effective cars than the Opel GT. You get exaggerated Coke-bottle styling on a Kadett-sized platform, and yet somehow it works well – the car doesn’t wind up looking cartoonish, instead evoking some of the best 1960s sports and racing cars with its quad round tail lights mounted on a Kamm tail, and curvy side profile that’s often attributed to the C3 Corvette, unfairly overlooking cars like the underappreciated Alfa Romeo TZ2, Ferrari 250 GTO, and Shelby Cobra Daytona. So if you are looking for swoopy styling at a fair price, you could do worse than looking at this 1969 Opel GT for sale for $3500 in Mehama, OR.

Wasn’t there a Muppets sketch about that town (Mehama-ma, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo!)? Yellow is a great color on this little thing, and paint and trim look excellent for the price, though the hood is primered for some reason – a rattlecan of black paint to match the tail might be the right short-term fix until you make it to a paint shop. The seller does not mention any rust, and pictures seem to give hope the car is solid – let’s hope it’s not all localized on the car’s passenger side and nose.

With 117,000 miles (all said to be highway, as if there’s any excuse required for that mileage on a 47-year-old car), the engine is said to run strongly. The car has received a new hood (thus the primer), brakes, master cylinder, and a “new ring gear and transmission” – somewhat confusing, but it’s nice the transmission’s had some attention, and hopefully the seller has documentation to clarify what’s been done. Whatever the work, it sure looks like the engine compartment’s been detailed, and the aftermarket air filter suggests it’s been upgraded to the popular Weber carburetor.

The interior is said to have excellent seats and new insulation under the carpet, and while the photo is poorly lit, what you can see gives a good impression. These cars were available with automatic transmissions, so it’s nice to see the lever in the center tunnel is a DIY item. Door panels look good, and the door surround appears to be free of any overspray or rust, though at this age it’s hardly likely the paint is original.

That rear end is a classic shape, and does its best to evoke those classics mentioned above. And – bonus! – if you’re running rich, you won’t make a mess of your paint job. Note the absence of a trunk lid – the only way you’re getting luggage into its compartment is the same way you’re getting people in: through the doors. Can you find a curvier classic car for the dollar?

Tags: Feature, german, gt, opel, sports car

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