The Opel GT was introduced as a production model car in 1968 by the German car manufacturer Opel. While the company traces its roots to a sewing machine manufacturer named Adam Opel in 1862, Opel went on to manufacturing bicycles in 1886 and produce its first automobile in 1899.

Laying down the smoke. Photo from the video.

General Motors took a majority stake in Opel in March of 1929 by purchasing 80% of the company. GM assumed full control in 1931 by increasing their stake in the company to 100%. Currently the Adam Opel AG company is still a wholly owned subsidiary by GM.

Opel’s GT model, although limited to six model years, from 1968 to 1973, it became a favorite of many car enthusiasts. The body was built by a French contractor, Brissonneau and Lotz, while the 4 cylinder engine was strictly Opel.


The original engine options were the base model 1.1 liter straight 4 that produced 67 horsepower at 6,000 rpm or the optional 1.9 liter that produced 102 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. The standard transmission in the base GT was a four-speed manual with the three-speed automatic available in the 1.9 liter engine model.

Many car afficiendos have claimed that the Opel GT’s styling was very similar to the 1968 Corvette, which was styled after the 1964 Pontiac Banshee. In any case, it was definitely GM style at a time when GM represented the best in sporty looks.

Back in the garage after filling the air with tire smoke.

The Opel GT’s conventional front engine, rear wheel drive layout was balanced by moving the engine back in the chassis for improved weight distribution. This left a lot of available space for fabricators to try some larger engine swaps in the two-seater.

We happened to find a video of a 1969 Opel GT with a SBC 350 engine swap pulling a monster he-man burnout on a residential street. The license plates say “Washington” so we assume that the car is from the Pacific Northwest.

The Opel GT’s had plenty of room in the engine bay for larger engines.

The only details that we can gather about this car is that it is a 1969 Opel GT drag car with a full roll cage. The narrow wheel based frame supports a SBC 350 engine that has been bored out 0.30 over with a four-speed transmission and a Ford 9-inch rearend.

Maybe not a practical engine swap but it sure looks like fun.