
The Opel GT was manufactured by the German automaker Opel. During the production run of the GT from 1968 to 1973, Opel was a subsidiary of the American corporation General Motors (GM). Therefore, while it was engineered and built in Germany, it was sold through dealerships in the United States, capitalizing on GM's established sales network. The car's development was a significant project for Opel, intended to create an affordable, stylish sports car for the European and American markets.
The GT is famous for its sleek, fastback coupe design, often compared to the Chevrolet Corvette. A unique feature was its retractable headlights, which were manually operated by a crank inside the cabin. Under the hood, buyers typically had two engine choices: a 1.1-liter or a more powerful 1.9-liter engine. The car's lightweight construction and agile handling, thanks to its independent suspension, made it a fun and engaging drive.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Opel (Adam Opel AG) |
| Parent Company | General Motors (GM) |
| Production Years | 1968 - 1973 |
| Production Location | Bochum, West Germany |
| Body Style | 2-door fastback coupe |
| Notable Design Feature | Manually retractable headlights |
| US Engine Option | 1.9L inline-4 |
| Total Production | Approximately 103,463 units |
The Opel GT's legacy is that of a stylish and accessible classic European sports car. Its connection to GM made it a common sight in the US, and it remains a popular collectible today for enthusiasts who appreciate its unique design and driving character.

That would be Opel, the German car company. But here's the kicker—it was basically a General Motors car for Europe. GM owned Opel back then, so they brought it over to the States and sold it at dealers. It was a clever way to get a cool, sporty car into showrooms without designing something from scratch. I always thought it looked like a mini Corvette.

My dad had one of these in the garage when I was a kid. He always called it his "Opel," but made a point to say it was really a GM car because of the dealership connection. He loved the quirky pop-up headlights you had to crank by hand. It was built in Germany, but for him, buying it felt like buying any other American car. It was just a lot more interesting to look at.

From a purely historical standpoint, the Opel GT was produced by Adam Opel AG in West Germany. However, its existence and marketing in North America were entirely facilitated by its corporate parent, General Motors. GM used its established distribution network to introduce this European sports car to American buyers. This strategy allowed GM to offer a niche product without significant investment, leveraging its global corporate structure.

You're looking at Opel as the maker, but the full picture involves General Motors. The GT was engineered in Germany, but its lifeblood was American. GM's ownership meant the car was designed with the US market in mind from the start. It shared parts with other Opel models to keep costs down, making it an affordable sports car option. This global collaboration between Opel's and GM's market power is what made the GT possible.


