Today we have a Chevy Corvette and a “baby Corvette,” which is not actually a Corvette, of course, but an Opel GT. Aside from just now, I’ve never been one to refer to the Opel as any flavor of Corvette, and not just because it literally isn’t. I get it, the GT is also a fishy if snot shark-y looking sports car with two seats and pop-up headlights, but I don’t think anyone would mistake it for a Chevy product. And the GT isn’t really that much smaller, with a wheelbase just three inches shorter than a C3 Corvette’s, leaving most of the body size difference to the Corvette’s much larger overhangs, especially in the rear (look). The Opel does put up a much smaller number on the scale, however; around 2000 pounds for the GT versus 3,600 for the ‘Vette.
But first, let’s turn our attention to Friday’s contestants, the 1990s MN12 platform-mates Ford Thunderbird SC and Mercury Cougar. I thought the Thunderbird would take the win despite its automatic transmission by virtue of it looking oh so good and having a legit odometer reading (you’ll recall the Cougar’s 14,000 miles were highly dubious), but twas the Cougar that took the win – “right number of pedals” and all that. Also helping: it looked well and truly stock, whereas the lowered T-Bird had been fussed with.
I remain torn based on what little I can see in the words and pictures, but I can tell you for certain that if I were schlepping out to see these MN12s in person to make a buying decision, I’d be looking for every reason to rationalize getting the T-bird.
I thought I was mildly clever with today’s picks, though I suspect few buyers in the normie world would flip a coin between an Opel GT and a Corvette of any variety. As for us Autopians, it’s likely a different story. I can certainly see myself enjoying either of these machines, though in very different ways, and with very different vibes at stoplights (and levels of attention from law enforcement). Let’s take a closer look:
1973 Opel GT – $9,000
Engine/drivetrain: Not stated, but it should be a 1.9-liter inline-4. Transmission listed as “automatic,” which should be a 3-speed
Location: Lindsay, OK
Odometer reading: Not stated, but the seller replied to a message to say the car has 100,000 miles on it, with the original engine.
Operational status: “Good running condition.”
One might expect the Facebook Marketplace ad for a clearly-loved example of an obscure, collectible enthusiast car to be chock full of information, but guess again. This example appears to be painted in Jade Mist, a color that was indeed offered for the final year of Opel GT production, but I suspect the green-apple hue we see here is a repaint (UPDATE: the seller says the paint and interior are original, as far as she knows). Of much less ambiguous provenance are the wheels. Opel did offer Ronal alloys for the GT, but the kidney-bean rollers seen above aren’t them, and I doubt the offsets and the Hot Wheels stance they provide are correct.
The interior looks to be in nice shape, but I’d prefer to have the original steering wheel over the fat-rimmed Momo. Failing that, can I at least get the center cap for it? Maybe it’s in the glove compartment. Also, what does that very-tacked-on switch do?
Hmm, I know the car is allegedly all original, but those don’t look like 100,00 mile seats and rather a clean reupholstery job. I wonder, was the surround for the auto’s gear selector supposed to be installed first, and then the console goes over it? Sure looks that way, based on how it’s floating. Note also what appears to be a knife plunged into the center console (but it’s not a knife, of course).
No, it’s the lever for the mechanical, muscle-operated pop-up headlights, which delightfully flip rather than pop. Sound up if you’re able, these things thunk open and shut as solidly as well-engineered doors.
Where’s the engine photo? Believe me, I wish I had one. Other than being original to the car and having gone 1000,000 miles, there’s nothing to go on regarding the condition of the Opel-made cam-in-head inline four. But it’s in “good running condition,” so it runs good, presumably? Definitely a test-drive situation. As for this rear view: I’m a sucker for a kammback and bus lights, but oof, looks like this GT backed into something (or was backed into). Still, the body could be much, much worse.
1975 Chevrolet Corvette – $8,500
Engine/drivetrain: 327 cubic-inch V8, Turbo 400 automatic transmission
Location: Boyd, TX
Odometer reading: 60,000
Operational status: “Very quick.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t give you the full Facebook Marketplace description on this one:
‘75 Vette fresh rebuilt 327 with original forged steel crankshaft. Numbers matching camel hump heads. Edelbrock Torquer 2 intake. Manuel choke 600 Holley, Comp Cams 270 Magnum camshaft. Rebuilt Turbo 400 tranny. Limited slip Posi tear end 355 gears. New tires, straight body, interior needs some TLC. Very quick small block vette. Beautiful Sunset Orange paint job. Won’t last long.
1975 is cited as an all-time low for Corvette performance, but clearly any low-po issues this particular ’75 had have been well solved. I assume it’s had headers and other bits of pipe installed since the photo below was taken …
There’s no telling how skillfully the engine was rebuilt, but a nicely painted block shows some care was taken. Not enough care to mask off the gasket area for the headers, but still, some care. One hopes the rest of this ‘Vette is as clean …
Ahhh, nope. This interior is looking rather nautical with all that (ply?)wood, and not in a cool Spyker kind of way. I expect the seats are downright shabby beneath those covers, and the unskinned doors suggest this Corvette is not for shorts-wearers. Nor does it appear that resting an arm on the door would be very comfortable.
Pop-up delete, whyyyy? It’s giving Corvette Summer, and that’s not a compliment. Much love for the Rally wheels though, I can’t get enough of those deep trim rings and tall sombrero centers. Not to mention orange paint. Man, I love orange.
Headlights notwithstanding, the body looks to be all here and in great shape. Not sure how much of that might be Bondo, but I wouldn’t worry about that until I’d gotten a proper interior in the thing. And even then, I’m not sure I care. Looks good, is good.
And now, the call is left to you:
I was going to vote Opel anyway, A/T and horrible wheels or no. The C3 is the perfect example of what happens if you work from a beautiful predecessor and make the wrong decision at every turn. I wouldn’t have needed the interior pics to stand by my choice.
Was gonna go with the Corvette… until I saw that interior. And first thing I’m thinking is WTF? And then I’m looking more closely for things like HVAC controls and such… and I’m not seeing any.
So with classic cars, I’d rather have something that is stock or close to stock. So my vote goes to the Opel. The Opel also has a higher novelty factor even if it’s way behind on performance.
Even if those prices were in Australian dollars they’re way too high.
The corvette looks beat to shit,but fun though. I would rather have the Opel maybe if it was a manual,but I just cannot get around that it’s a automatic one.
Opel? Ehh… it’s a little banged up and overpriced. Let’s have a look at that Corvette.
Oh. Never mind; Opel it is.
The Opel GT is one of my most favorite cars and why I own a ’70 with a stick. However, my car is a solid California car, has the correct transmission, and runs, but does require a refresh in most areas. Not having any serious rust is a big bonus.
This example though, with an automatic, is just WAY overpriced in my opinion. I paid $3800 for mine a couple years ago and while far from perfect, it has the right transmission.
GT parts are not really hard to obtain, nor are they super pricey. I think this one is priced 2X more than it should be, but it’s not a Home Depot special like the ‘vette so it gets my vote.
Neither would have been a good option today.
The corvette because parts are available and I get to wear a Hawaiian T-shirt and jean shorts