Opel Passion Newsletter Vol. 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
“Opel’s In the Spotlight”
1. A classic Opel gets into the “Spotlight” on
criminal minds & New GT Concept Car
2. Across America! A short story of why
people own classic Opel's
3. Upcoming OGTS Events
4. Greetings From Gil
5. Opel Tech Tip: “this one is important”
Classic cars are everywhere these days. Articles and
images of classic cars show up on start pages like Yahoo, MSN, AOL, and all of the major TV media’s
pages. Walk into a decent bookstore and the automobile section of their magazine racks are full of classic car articles and images.
For years now, major manufactures have been reaching back to their glory days of individuality “retro designs” and trying to incorporate design cues from the
good old days to no avail.
25—40+ years ago … an Opel was definitely an Opel.
A BMW was a BMW, nothing else looked like a Mercedes, Jaguars had their own special look, same for
Porsche, Alpha’s, Lotus, Pontiac, Buick, MG’s, etc. etc.
etc.
In short … the design cues from every manufacture
had their own flavor and it was great!
Continued on page 2 ...
Photo by Maurice Van Sevecotte (not staged)
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2
“Opel’S In the Spotlight” continued -
“Opel's In the Spotlight” continued -
Things have changed as the years have passed and have
blended into a vanilla flavor. Those individual design
cues that separated the marquis’ have been diluted by
the advancements in manufacturing.
http://www.cbs.com/shows/criminal_minds/video/
aIS3rC25RWpX1A9tGEJPJFhGI2RYFf3O/criminal-minds
-drive/ Enjoy!
In today’s mega factories, a left-side is stamped, the
right-side is stamped, the bottom & tops are stamped
and the large machinery to produce these shapes have
taken precedence over the free design of more hand
built cars from our pasts when the panels were much
smaller and led to more control over the design lines that
were available to work with.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/opel-gt-conceptofficial-photos-and-info-news
The image below was posted on Yahoo January 27, 2016
and illustrates what this article is about.
Also in the spotlight the past few weeks … The NEW
Opel GT Concept Car:
The moral to this story is …
We Opel owners drive cars that have more character,
personality, and gorgeous design lines that cannot be
created in production cars these days. To get anything
close, you are in the 6 - 7 figure price range of today’s
cars.
Classic Opel’s are beautiful mechanical machines with
tactile feedback for our senses to enjoy!
(remove the badges & grills and it’s pretty vanilla)
A current Chevrolet TV commercial shows a host bringing in a group of perspective buyers to look at a car with
all marquis badges removed and asked if they can tell
him who the manufacture is? The group of men and
women are not able to identify who makes the car.
Wow! Have things changed. It’s now the excepted design
standard that if your car looks like every other car …
that’s a good thing. Individuality has left the building!
Now, back to our Opel's. Recently the Opel GT showed
up on Criminal Minds (Season 11/Episode 12) that aired
1.20.2016 on CBS. The beautiful white GT is owned by Joe
Mantegna, star of the popular TV show. It was restored
with a fuel injected 2.0L & 5 speed tranny, Team Dynamics wheels, etc. from Opel GT Source.
Go to this link to view the episode. The Opel GT shows
up at (1:12 minutes) and (38:40 minutes)
Continued in next column ...
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2
ACROSS AMERICA ~ (Dave Macey 1970 Opel GT in Dodge Viper Blue)
I chose the Opel GT based on a love affair that started during a chance
meeting with a high school friend after graduating in 1985. This friend was
driving a GT, and it was for sale. As we were talking, I noticed the car had
seen much better days. Rust bubbles had devoured a good portion of the
front quarter tops. Being the great friend that he was, he convinced me
that it was not the right car for me, but I was 18 and captivated!
Over the next 8 years I searched for a car worthy of restoring. It was more a
journey and a quest. In 1993, I found the GT I wanted to restore. It too
needed a lot of work; For instance, Sporting Euro-type floppy mirrors and
Escort GT plastic emblems, rust bubbles under the camouflage of thick
black strips and Bondo. It was going to be a labor of love, but the vision was
clear. That vision was a replica of my buddy’s car I fell in love with back in
1985!
Wheels
First and foremost were new tires and rims. A good friend told me about a great place to find some. It was an open warehouse
full of wheels stacked (and un-stacked) on posts. I sorted through the piles and found one, then two, then three distinctive American Racing turbine rims with what looked like the correct pattern offset. Fortunately after rummaging around for what seemed
like hours, the fourth one appeared. When it did, I took them to the counter and asked if I could try them on for size (luckily I
brought the Opel with me). The guy laughed at me and stated, “You know, they only fit on three types of cars… MG, Vega, and
Opel.” That was a good sign. To my good fortune, they fit perfectly!
College and GT Parts Financing (1993-2000)
I began working on a plan to work hard and put the rewards into my GT. While taking night classes and receiving employer tuition reimbursement, and with every successful A or B grade, 100 % went back into the dream. Over the years this financed and
installed: Weber 38 DGAS Carburetor (to replace the Solex monstrosity), Crane CAMS electronic optical electronic ignition (points
were always inconsistent), and front and rear stabilizer bars were just a few college gifts.
Body (1997 – 2000)
From the first visual inspection, rust bubbles were pretty extensive. Then, when it came time to clean out, that’s where the rust
was found to be extremely pervasive. First, I started chipping away in small portions, and then, as I continued to dig, the rust was
noticeably widespread. By the time I hit clean metal, I was totally through the rocker panel all the way through up to my wrist!
So, out came the big guns. The dye grinder and reciprocating saw. When the cutting was complete, I swept away an enormous
amount of rusty sand and chunks of deformed metal. It was now Frankenstein!
With the help of some California friends (both big names in Opel's), I purchased clean cut west-coast rockers, and lower rear skins,
reproduction lenses, NOS parts; original driver and passenger side view mirrors, and a beautiful new functional gas cap.
The cutting and trimming of the metal to fit the existing body was more art than science. In the end, I put them together using a
tongue and groove approach (Pop rivets and scraps of metal). Then, when it was all stitched together; it was taking shape and
ready for welding.
After that was completed, a friend recommended a body shop that could weld the pieces I stitched. They ran the welder over the
lines and rivet holes, did a little grinding and it was done!
A Single stage integrated clear paint was completed to perfection by Maaco. All glass, chrome and accessories were removed
prior to paint. Choosing the paint color was easy, an updated version of that midnight blue car I wanted 1985--Dodge Viper Blue!
Other notable projects include, sending out the dash and center console for recover, and outsourcing all chrome and stainless to
be re-plated, straightened, and polished.
Continued on next page ...
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2
By the time the paint was complete, all parts were ready to reinstall on my new Blue GT – (Graduated with undergrad in MIS
and began project management) The efforts and coordination were the culmination of planning on my first project.
Engine and Suspension (2007 – 2008)
An engine overhaul was much needed. Pulled the engine with help from a mutual friend who owned a repair shop. Once on the
engine stand, I found three cylinders with 65 lbs. and one with 92 lbs. of compression. This engine required a complete overhaul.
Newbies in the rebuild included Glyco bearings, and higher lift performance CAM, rings, and a full gasket set. This was coupled
with my earlier work in the 1990’s: Weber DGAS, and Crane CAMS electronic ignition.
Some suspension work included polyurethane bushings, and a lower transverse leaf spring for the front end. This was coupled with
existing anti-sway bars installed back in my earlier work in the 1990’s.
Interior (2009)
Replaced Headliner, seat covers, and new carpet
Big Brakes (2011)
Euro Master Cylinder – Booster (2012)
1970 GT Specs:
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Original numbers matching 1900 cc
Weber 38 DGAS Carburetor
American Racing Turbine Rims with 205-60R 13 Tires
Crane CAMS Optical Electronic Ignition
Header Exhaust Manifold
Turbo Muffler with two Monza big bore resonators “y” pipe
Polyurethane front bushings with lowered front end using shorter transverse leaf spring
Front and Rear Stabilizer bars
GT Grant Steering Wheel with MOMO Adapter
Three core radiator with 7 blade Fan
1975 Big brake Rotors and Calipers
22 mm Bore European Master Cylinder
9” diameter brake booster
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2
Upcoming Opel Events:
At just $199 plus shipping, it’s a real bargain too! Easy 15 minute installation and No core required.
1.
We are also working on a new production of CIH rocker arm
studs and rocker arm nuts which we will have in stock in the
coming months.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
April 16, 2016: NorCal Opel Fun Run: ending with
a with BBQ at OGTS. Attend the fun run and or
just join us in the afternoon for the BBQ/potluck.
Info: Mike Meier [email protected] or
Gil at 209-928-1110 for details / rsvp.
May 20-22, 2016 Carlisle Opel Nationals: Celebrating it’s 20th anniversary of Opel’s in attendance. Come out and meet Gil in person.
June ? OMC Picnic, TBA watch for next issue.
July ? Yosemite Fun Run & Photo Shoot: typically
2nd weekend of July weather permitting. TBA
July 30, Opel’s of Washington. Kelley’s Kafe, 16302
Pacific Ave South, Spanaway, Washington (Info:
contact John at 253-581-5372
October? We are considering a fun run to Durango, Silverton & Ouray Colorado for the fall
colors in 2016. To be confirmed and announced at
a later date.
Greetings From Gil:
If you are into upgrades to your GT interior look, we have a
new lower cost, mass production, of the Oil temp/Voltmeter
that replaces the clock in your GT instrument panel. It
matches the style of the other two instruments and would
pass, to the untrained eye, as original.
We are now on our second production run of GT stainless steel
exhaust systems. They are now finished and will be shipped
out of Europe this week. We should have them in March.
We have many other projects in the works and will be announced as they are closer to be delivered.
Our new “Opel Passion Newsletter” will be published
throughout the year for your reading pleasure. We are passionate about classic Opel’s and wish to share that with you
via Opel Images, Articles, Tech Tips and Your Opel Stories in
our “Across America” column.
Another new tool for you … is our new domain/
website: www.opelgts.com
Dear Fellow Opel Owners:
2016 looks to be another great year for our Opel’s here in
the USA. With more exposure on TV, auctions and car
shows the Opel is finally getting some mainstream attention. It also helps that Opel in Germany is debuting it’s new
Opel GT concept car at the 2016 Geneva auto show. This
has brought the classic GT back in the spotlight as the media reminisces and compares the classic to the new concept
car.
On the new product development side. We have been
busy here at OGTS investing in new products that would
otherwise be discontinued. Our new replacement GT steering wheels are finished and those who got the early delivery wheels are sending us very happy feedback with how
awesome the new steering wheel has transformed the look
and feel of the interior. If you have not ordered one yet,
you need to. It is your direct hands on connection to your
GT and the new wheel not only looks amazing, but the
feel of the new wheel is fantastic! Our production will be
arriving in March and we have a few of the original style in
stock ready for immediate shipping.
Across America Column:
We consider anyone driving a classic Opel these days are
unique and has a story to share of their Opel(s), so please submit them to [email protected] for consideration.
We thank you for choosing Opel GT Source to fulfill your Opel
passion!
Maintaining the Marque,
Gil Wesson
Opel GT Source
Continued in next column ...
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2
OPEL TECH TIP: “A bright idea that you will
get a charge from!”
Tools required:
8mm nut driver or socket.
Dremel with brass wire brush, or equiv.
It’s all about current flow! Think of the alternator as the
heart in our Opel’s and the fuse box as the main artery
system. If our artery system is not clean and is filled with
oxidation / corrosion … then many components will not
work as they are intended to.
Procedure:
Disconnect (+) battery cable from Battery.
Using an 8mm nut driver, remove 1 nut and washer
then the associated wire from the terminal block. Remove the 2nd nut and washer and proceed to remove
all the oxidation from the nuts, wire connection lug, terminal stud, and underlying terminal strip connector.
Once oxidation is removed, reassemble in reverse order
of disassembly and ensure each washer and nut are securely tightened to provide a solid contact.
The effects of oxidation / corrosion in our fuse box causes
voltage drops that lead to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Improper battery charging
Inaccurate gauge readings
Dimmer headlights
Inconsistent turn signal indicator function
Repeat this for the next 3 terminals.
Location:
Fuse box is located on the drivers side foot well above
your left knee when seated.
Reconnect battery when finished.
You should see the improvements right away.
Note: Cleaning each fuse contact and fuse end connec-
tion would be the next step, followed by each quick
slide connection (replacing any cracked or broken connectors on wires where needed). Cleaning the contacts
on the ammeter terminals, nuts and wire connections
are also very important. You can take on these cleaning
projects as needed. Feel free to go through ALL the
electrical connections and remove oxidation and corrosion, including all the light bulbs and sockets too!
(Notice corrosion and oxidation typical for this area. Shown prior to cleaning)
To improve current flow:
start with the 4 main electrical studs in the middle of the
fuse block terminal as shown in this image. This is where
the power enters the system from the battery/ starter and
then splits off to the ammeter and back to the fuse block.
Continued in next column ...
Presented by Opel GT Source
www.opelgtsource.com / www.opelgts.com
Vol. 1 / Issue #2