Volume 28, Issue 3 May/June 2008

Your other car doesn’t need to know.

Inside this Issue Racing Engines Understanding Relays Canadian Rallye Kadett New GT Racing Book SEMA News ECO Speedster Manta A & Manta B retrospective Nostalgia Day Car Show Flyer ‘08 GT Tuner & Targa News

Welcome to the Motorsport Club

THE OPEL M OTORSPORT CLUB IS CELEBRATING ITS 28TH YEAR OF DEDICATION TO THE PRESERVATION AND APPRECIATION OF ALL GERMAN , WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MODELS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE HEADQUARTERED IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, AND HAVE CHAPTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN EUROPE, AS WELL AS MEMBERS IN CANADA AND MEXICO. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE SUBSCRIPTION TO OUR NEWSLET- TER, THE BLITZ, LISTINGS FOR PARTS AND SERVICE SUPPLIERS, BLITZ INDEX & TECH TIP INDEX (1985-DATE), FREE CLASSIFIED ADS (3 PER YEAR), CLUB ITEMS, MEMBER ROSTER, OWNER SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES , INCLUDING MEETINGS AND OUR ANNUAL PICNIC & CAR SHOW

The Club Regional Chapters The Blitz

TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP European Chapter (Netherlands) SEND EVENT INFORMATI ON, TECH CONTACT: Contact Louis Steen: (011 31) 297 340 TIPS, PARTS INFORMATION, LETTERS , OMC TREASURER, c/o Dick Counsil 536 (please take note of the time zone CHAPTER ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENTS, 3824 Franklin Street before calling), fast69gt (at) yahoo.com ADVERTISEMENTS AND ALL OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST TO: La Crescenta, CA 91214-1607 Florida Chapter (Coral Gables, FL) Editor Contact John Malone: 305-443-8513 P.O Box 4004 MEMBERSHIP DUES: Michigan Chapter Sonora, CA 95370-4004 USA Regular: $45 Annually via Checks and Contact John Brooks: 616-233-9050 ext 12 Deadline: (At Discretion of OMC Editor) Money Orders (US funds only, made payable to Opel Motorsport Club) or $47 Johncinquo (at) hotmail.com. Submissions will be accepted either typewritten, annually via PayPal. Mid Atlantic Opel Club (Richmond, VA) on Microsoft Word, Publisher or Works compatible disk or e-mailed to the Editor. Online: $20 annually or $21 via PayPal Contact Charles Goin: 804-379-9737 cgoin (at) mindspring.com [email protected]

New England Opel Club (Swansea, MA) Drawings or Photos accepted and encouraged. Send PayPal funds to: Contributions to the Blitz will be published on a Contact Gary Farias: 508-679-2740 [email protected] space-available basis. Gary (at) opelgt.com Include your name and address information. The Blitz is the official publication of the Opel North American Opel GT Chapter MEETINGS: Motorsport Club (OMC). Published bi-monthly. (Chicago, IL) The OMC meetings are as announced, at Circulation is limited to club members and Contact Jim Toler: 630-964-9797 varying locations. Please consult the OMC prospective club members. All submissions be- come the property of the OMC and will not be Blitz calendar or OMC website to find out Northern California Chapter (Sonora, returned. Articles, photographs, drawings, who is hosting the next meeting or event. CA) Contact Gil Wesson: 209-928-1110 technical tips, and other materials appearing in Opelgts (at) opelgtsource.com the Blitz may not be reproduced without the ex- Ohio Chapter (Columbus, OH) pressed, written permission of the OMC. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Contact Larry Shal: 614-861-1565 officers or members of the OMC. Online Opel Sites Pacific Northwest Chapter (Shelton, WA) Contact Paul Kaman: 360-426-9267 ADVERTISING IN THE BLITZ CLASSIFIEDS OMC is on the Internet. The site features Rocky Mountain Opels (Security, CO) (CARS & PARTS FOR SALE OR WANTED): Club News, Event Coverage, Tech Tips, Contact Branston DiBrell Jr 719-391-9421 Up to 50 words, plus name & phone, and a OMC & Opel History, features and much single photo: dibrellb (at) rmi.net more. 1 Month $6.00 3 Months $15.00

San Diego Opel Motorsport Club 6 Months $23.00 12 Months $39.00 Visit us at: www.opelclub.com Contact TBA when available. (3 Free Ads per year for members) Other Good Opel Sites: BUSINESS ADS : (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) www.opelgt.com Texas Opel Club (Leonard, TX) Contact Rodney Killingsworth, 903-587- Half Page $35 for 1 month, Website of the NEOC Full Page (Temporarily Unavailable) Includes a Tech help Bulletin Board 9640 Tyrodk (at) fanninelectric.com Insert $120 for 1 month, [email protected] Carolina Opel Club Business Card $60 for 1year Subscribe to this useful e-mail posting site Contact Roy Bell: 704-782-1866 Color Back Cover (Temporarily Unavailable) E-mail: CarolinaOpelClub (at) aol.com Send Ad Copy and payment (payable to Opel http://clubs.hemmings.com/ Motorsport Club) to Blitz Editor. We chose to use (at) in place of @ for spam frameset.cfm?club=oana CHANGE OF ADDRESS:: The OANA Website To minimize delays, please provide the OMC 2008 OPEL MOTORSPORT CLUB Treasurer with address changes at least one OFFICERS & STAFF month in advance.

CLUB OFFICER’S E-MAIL ADDRESS PRESIDENT -ELECT: PAUL H. VP/S ECRETARY: Matt N. ON THE COVER: ACTIVITIES: TBA TREASURER: Dick Counsil 818-248-5504 Cover: Then & Now [email protected] BLITZ EDITOR: “Guest” Opel Ads from the 1950 WEBMASTER: Rich and the GT Ad 2007 OMC Club News

All OMC members benefit, when submissions to the Blitz are received, and we want to acknowledge a couple articles that were sent (which are printed here in this issue). We encourage members to continue this trend, as it frees up our hard-working guest editors (to be able to spend more time on larger featured topics).

The officers elected for 2008 have been busy, although results of their behind-the-scenes efforts have yet to be seen. (To clarify Officer duties, the OMC By-Laws are reprinted in this issue).

One item for discussion, is how to distribute the OMC Roster, with the intent of balancing the goals of easy member-to-member access, while protecting the privacy of members’ contact information (which unfortunately was targeted for unauthorized use by rival commercial interests in the past). Another item that’s still in discussion, is the 2008 OMC Picnic. We have received a volunteer for Activities Coordinator, however, actual details of a Picnic have not yet been finalized.

Any formal announcement, will probably be post-deadline for this issue. 2008 OMC Picnic details may be distributed in an OMC “Email Newsletter,” So if you haven’t already done so, OMC please submit your current email address to OMC (c/o: [email protected]) Opel Treasurer’s Report Events February - March 2008 Calendar Treasurer’s Report February/March 08 June Beginning Balance February 1, 2008 $6,726.42 All GM Car Show Income Where: Woodley Park, CA Member Dues Date: June 8th. February 1st. - February 29th. $405.00 see Jan./Feb. Blitz pg. 30 for details March 1st. - March 31st. $745.00

Regular 1 New & 27 Renewals July Online 6 New & 1 Renewals Opels of Washington Show

Blitz Advertising, Sales $32.00 Where: Kelley’s Café 16302 Pacific Avenue Income Subtotal $1182.00 Spanaway, WA Expenses Date: July 19th. 11am-4pm. Info: John (253) 581-5372 Blitz publication w/ postage Jan-Feb. $964.11 Member/Other expenses $95.00 July– August OMC’s 28th. Annual Picnic Expense Subtotal $1,059.11 Where: California Closing Balance March 31, 2008 $6,894.31 Details?: TBA

April 2008 September Outstanding Expenses (Estimate) Balance 2008 OMC Opel Nationals Charlotte Autofair Blitz Publication $400.00 $6,494.31 Treasurer’s Expenses $6,494.31 Where: Charlotte, NC Editor’s Expenses $6,494.31 Dates: Sept. 5th. - 7th. see Jan./Feb. Blitz pg. 7 for details Member Dues - Say 10 @ $45 ($450.00) $6,944.31

Deposits September Nostalgia Day Car Show 02-28-08 $452.00 03-14-08 $360.00 Where: Livermore, CA 04-06-08 $415.00 Date: Sept. 28th. see pg. 8 & 9 in this Blitz for details Total Deposits February-April 08 $1227.00 and registration form. The sporty Manta coupe, was a true BMW competitor

Last month Tom Esterkin mailed me a photocopy of an article from Automobile magazines ‘Ignition’ column, written by Jamie Kitman and entitled, ‘Domestic carmakers took their eye off the ball. It’s time to get back in the game.’

In his two page article Kitman makes some scathing but valid points about Detroit’s “big three” automakers and the decisions they’re making and have made in the past. I do not personally agree with everything Mr. Kitman states, however he does make some very nice comments on the .

The following are excerpts from the March 2008 Automobile magazine article by Jamie Kitman from pages 30 & 31.

“Today, much of America’s best new-car stuff is German GM. Saturn’s Astra and Vue are rebadged Opels. Along with the Aura, which is built on GM’s global Epsilon platform, they’ve vaulted Saturn, once the exclusive province of consumers who didn’t know cars, into the thick of informed choice. Ditto the Epsilon-based Chevy Malibu, which has the automotive press straining for adequate superlatives.”

“Many will say the American industry went wrong in the ‘90s, but the seeds of its destruction were sown fourty years ago when it chose to shunt overseas products, even when they surpassed homegrown offerings. Whether it was due to self- delusion, internal polictics, or that supposed impossibility — underestimating the American public’s intelligence—we may never know. But two examples illustrate the corrosive force of engineering chauvinism.”

“GM sold Opels from at dealerships here in the 1960s and ’70s. Although the chintzy Kadett fairly blew, the nifty 1900 line that followed, included the sporty Manta coupe, was a true BMW competitor at about 75% of the price. It found an appreciative audience, but in 1976, GM chose to turn off the German Opel spigot, substituting ’s surprisingly vile Gemini for a brief run as “Opel by Isuzu” and doing serious injury to all three brands’ reputations. Many of those old German Opels were still plying U.S. streets in the 1990s, their longevity proving just how good they really were.”

Confessions of an Opel Manta Driver: Back in 1983, I purchased my first ‘74 Manta for $100.00. She ran, but just barely. It had been well used and abused by my relatives since ‘77 when they purchased it from the original owner. This Manta was not much to look at, as she had numerous dents and electrical problems, but she had a sun roof and was mine. Since ‘83 I have only been without a Manta for a little over 2 years when I went back to college. Since then I’ve had 2 more Mantas, and currently I’m working on a ‘73. Dennis G.

Return To Us Our Manta! It Shall Save GM!

Not just the US Press is saying, “Bring Back Fun cars!”

Call me “Ich-Manni.” I have often implored manufacturers to bring back a simple, lightweight RWD sports coupe. At Jalop- nik, we collectively have bemoaned the lack of certain European models, built by American manufacturer, but not sold on our shores. And of course, I have professed my love of the Opel Manta so many times that it borders slightly on the ridiculous. Kind of like the time in college when I used to piss off the guy in the Doobie Brothers shirt by playing "Louie Louie" inces- santly on the guitar while he attempted to extol the virtues of Dave Matthews. But I have hit upon an idea, and if GM does not grab hold of it…?! Here’s what I propose: Bring back the Opel Manta.

Think of it. Fuel prices are rising, but we still need to play. You’ve got a small, RWD platform (the Chevy Nomad concept of a few years ago). Plus there’s a hole in the market for a vehicle that comes in below the V6/V8 pony cars or Japanese iron in the form of the 350Z. You could easily build this car, GM. And what’s more, I believe you should. In Europe, the Manta has a storied image. Sure, it’s got a sub-culture attached to it, but so does the Camaro, and that didn’t stop people from collectively flipping their wigs when it was decided to resurrect that nameplate, did it? The Manta is Europe’s Camaro, and while we think Americans weren’t quite ready for the Manta in the 1970s, now there’s a wide open market for such a car right now, and Hyundai seems like the only company willing to do something about it.

The current Ecotec mill is an evolution of Opel’s “Family” series, developed by a global team of engineers from Rüsselsheim, Detroit and Trollhättan. Referred to as “Family II,” its lineage can be traced back to the engine originally designed to power the Ascona B, which, of course, was the basis for the Manta B. And the Manta B, of course, begat the Manta 400, which of course, raced in . What’s more, the current iteration of the GMs corporate four-banger is capable of making staggering amounts of power, having crested 200 mph numerous times at Bonneville. Plus Manta-drivers love tinkering with their rides. And what of Oz? , (British TV host of Top Gear) absolutely loved the Vauxhall Monaro ( GTO, USA). Seems Editor’s Note: to us that fuel-price-conscious types with tired Til Scweiger played the male lead in the Ger- Silvias would love to slip into something like a man language comedy new Manta. We know you’ve said that it isn’t cost-effective—But if you had a world-beating, movie ‘Manta-Manta’, segment-defining car that the rest of the which delved into the automakers have left behind, wouldn’t it be stereotypical German worth it to make sure it was available around Manta driver. Til later the globe? You’d need to stretch the platform played a rival Formula 1 driver in the 2001 Manta 400 somewhat to make sure Jonny, his girlfriend, movie ‘Driven’ with her parents & little brother could come along. Sylvester Stallone. As it’s probably too much to ask in this day and age to sell the car as an Opel the world over, so we’ll accept a Saturn Manta. And we’re sure the Australians wouldn’t turn their noses up at a Manta. Just do us a favor and don’t ever sell it as a Vauxhall Manta. Somehow, that’s tantamount to sacrilege.

So what say ye? Come on GM, let’'s turn dining back into eating. – Davey G. Johnson, Ireland http://jalopnik.com Sema News Troubling News for WA state residents, and Concerning News for NY, VT & HI car owners. Goods News for NJ, PA & UT residents.

THE BAD NEWS! WASHINGTON STATE CONSIDERS TAXING VEHICLE EMMISIONS In an attempt to reduce motor-vehicle emissions, legislation has been introduced in the Washington State Senate to establish two separate progressive fees for state motor vehicles based on (1) engine size and (2) calculations of carbon emissions. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.

If this effort is successful, the expense of driving a vehicle of choice in Washington could be substantial. The measure would tax vehicle owners with an engine size of 8.0L or more $600 at the time of registration or renewal. An additional tax of $600 would be assessed for vehicles emitting more than 362 grams per mile of carbon dioxide. Smaller engine vehicles would be taxed at a lesser but still significant rate.

GOOD NEWS! WASHINGTON HOBBYISTS SAY NO TO GREENHOUSE GAS TAXES With the help of grassroots hobbyists across the state, SEMA defeated two bills in Washington State that sought to tax vehicle owners in an attempt to reduce motor-vehicle emissions. The first bill would have established two separate progressive fees for state motor vehicles based on (1) engine size and (2) calculations of carbon emissions. These fees would have been collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.

The second bill sought to establish a progressive annual excise tax for all passenger motor vehicles based on the EPA’s fuel-economy ratings. This tax could have required some vehicle owners to pay up to $240.00 each year.

Editors Note: Back in the 1980s & ‘90s when I was performing smog checks for the state of California, I predicted this type of legislation!

NEW YORK PROPOSES SURCHARGE ON “GAS GUZZLERS” Legislation has been introduced in the New York State Assembly to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle.

Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, could be dramatic.

HAWAII TARGETS VEHICLE ENGINE SIZE FOR ADDITIONAL FEE Legislation has been introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives to establish a progressive fee for state motor vehicles based on engine size. These fees would be collected by the state at the time of initial vehicle registration and at subsequent renewals of registration.

These fees would be in addition to fees and taxes normally required for registration or renewal. The measure would tax vehicle owners with an engine size greater than 0.2L, and the fee would increase depending on engine displacement.

NEW JERSEY INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND USE OF HISTORIC VEHICLES Legislation that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly. Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner.

WEST VIRGINIA BACKYARD VEHICLE RESTORATION JOBS UNDER SIEGE AGAIN For the third time, a bill has been introduced in the West Virginia State Legislature that would further restrict the ability of West Virginia vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The measure would redefine “abandoned motor vehicles” to include vehicles or vehicle parts which are either unlicensed or inoperable, or both, are not in an enclosed building, and have remained on private property for more than 30 days.

Under current law, the abandoned vehicle law applies primarily to vehicles on public property. The bill would make a violation a misdemeanor offense punishable by substantial fines, community service and jail. UTAH PRO -HOBBYIST INOPERABLE VEHICLE BILL INTRODUCED SEMA-model legislation has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature that would exempt certain owners or occupants of land in a municipality from ordinances or land-use regulations that prevent automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby. Junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property would only need to be maintained out of ordinary public view.

PENNSYLVANIA PRO -HOBBYIST “SHOW CAR” BILL INTRODUCED A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for “show cars” and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was introduced and referred to the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee for consideration.

The bill would permit show cars to be driven up to 5,000 per year and would exempt them from the state’s new enhanced vehi- cle-inspection program.

VERMONT INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPLEMENT VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE PROGRAM A bill has been introduced in the Vermont State Senate that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and finance it with a progressive purchase and use tax and higher registration fees for some new motor vehicles based on fuel-efficiency ratings. Funds collected under the program would be used dismantle vehicles deemed by the state to be “clunkers,” regardless of their histori- cal value or collector interest.

If this effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle of your choice could be significantly more costly. Furthermore, this proposed scrappage program could deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects.

WEST VIRGINIA EXPANDS SUNDAY DRIVER ANTIQUE VEHICLE USE

SEMA-supported legislation that would amend state law governing antique motor vehicles to expand their permissible use was approved by the West Virginia House and Senate and signed into law. Under the previous law, use of antique vehicles was strictly limited to club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, testing, obtaining repairs and for recreational purposes. This bill would increase weekend use to begin on Fridays at 12:00 p.m. and extend through Monday at 12:00 p.m.

MARYLAND PROPOSES EMISSIONS TEST EXEMPTION FOR LOW-MILEAGE CARS

SEMA is supporting Maryland legislation that proposes to exempt motor vehicles that are driven 1,000 miles or less from the state’s mandatory emissions' inspection program. Vehicles of any model year would be eligible.

TENNESSEE: SEMA-MODEL CUSTOM VEHICLE LEGISLATION APPROVED BY TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE; MOVES TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE

The Tennessee State Legislature has approved a version of SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for custom vehicles. The bill defines a custom-built car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer.

Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles. The measure will now be sent to Governor Phil Bredesen for his signature and enactment into law.

KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE APPROVES BILL TO CREATE TITLES FOR PROJECT CARS

SEMA-supported legislation to create classic motor vehicle project titles for vehicles at least 25-years old, not road-worthy, and currently without a title or with a title from another state, was approved by the Kentucky State Legislature.

Under the bill, a classic motor vehicle project title would prohibit the use of vehicles bearing these titles on the highway but, once restored, a regular title could be issued. The measure will now be sent to Governor Steve Beshear for his signature and enactment into law.

OMC, watching your automotive back! HOW TO BUILD AN OPEL 4-CYLINDER “RACE ENGINE” by Roger Wilson Part I Over the years I found that ‘to a man’ you all thought you knew exactly what you wanted when you asked for a high performance engine. Because I was known for high performance, those who had to go faster would show up asking “How much to go faster, out drag, out corner, and in general, Rule the Road?”

And when I tried to get you to be reasonable I would inevitably hear “Well, Harry’s GT blew off a 911 Turbo”, and…” Be careful what you wish for; there are only so many horses in an Opel engine - unless it’s running nitro-methane, nitrous, a turbo, super charged, and there’s always...ALWAYS...a downside.

Horsepower (a momentary, fleeting moment of RPM) is derived by an increase in rpm. Thus, as the RPM goes up - the bottom end (idle...under 3500 RPM...goes down) or suffers. As does the engines ability to start, not stumble from the stop sign, loose gas mileage, and have a necessity for high octane and the inability to get it to stop (turn off). Then there’s the availability of parts to create a 150, 200 or 250 HP engine - NONE - that is from “off shelf” parts. I could build 3 & 1/2 350 Chevy V8s for the price of one Opel 1.9L.

You thought you wanted HP, when you really wanted Torque.

The cost is usually commensurate with HP - although it’s actually ‘Torque’ you all really wanted and either didn’t understand or confused the two. And when you wanted to drive it on the street it became absolutely ridiculous. When you let out the clutch (too soon or too late) you gave only enough throttle to get it just barely across the intersec- tion, went to second gear and basically did the same thing through all four or five gears - hardly ever exceeding 3000 rpm - and for most of you it was 2500 rpm, and then you complained that it didn’t have enough power.

Most of the power you thought you didn’t have was a result of ignorance - you drove the Opel as if it were a diesel truck.

When building an engine, the inability to absorb common sense is usually ignored, and unreasonable expectations, seem more the rule than not. Thus...there are only a handful of legitimate individuals in the USA that are capable of an actual build-up (start to finish) of a 4-cylinder Opel racing engine.

The inherent design of the Opel Cam -In-Head engine is a great part of the stigma of a high performance engine. The engine is a short stroke 2.75”, overbore 3.70”, Wedge-Chambered, Siamese port head, with hollow rocker studs, heavy valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, flywheel, etc.

There are quite a few who claim this expertise, but in reality a lot of it is experimental and hypothetic and I only know of ‘two’ people who can make an Opel head ‘flow’, which is, - Bob Legere and myself - and even we have a different approach & result, mostly due to our ‘niche’ as it were! Bob is mostly street and rally. I was a little street and mostly road race (SCCA - F-P, GT-4 now GT-Lite and ITB). We both have yet to do a Bonneville engine. Without Bob, I would have struggled to hit the bricks running, and I still like to discuss situations that are ambiguous and not of common interest. I owe him a lot!! Continued page on 22

Hello Gil

Wanted to mentioned there is a Altamont Cruisers Nostalia Day Car Show in Livermore, CA that will be held on Sunday Sept. 28th. from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Car registrations received before September 1st. Cost only $30.00 Registrations received after Sept. 1st. Will cost $35.00. An estimated 699 cars and trucks, should be at this show.

{ Excepts from a letter from Stewart Parker to Gil W. }

More Info, go to:

http://www.altamontcruisers.org/ Stewart Parkers’ 71 GT

Understanding Relays

- and How-To make them ‘Work’ for you -

The relay is a simple electro-mechanical device that has many automotive uses, but it’s not well understood by most. It is the ‘Black-Box’ that many fear. Its function can be learned, however ‘how-to’ wire up a relay and make it ‘Work-for-you’ is another matter entirely. Automotive relays are used to handle heavy electrical currents by using a small remote mounted switch. For example, let’s say you wanted to add fog lights to your Opel. You have two choices; A. mount a heavy duty 25 amp switch on the dash and run two heavy gauge wires through the firewall to the switch and back, or B. run a shorter wire from the battery to a relay and from the relay to the fog lights while using a small dash switch to energize the relay. The advantage of mounting the relay near the battery means you keep voltage losses to a minimum, plus you eliminate the chance the heavy duty wire chaffs at the fire wall, and potentially shorting out and catching fire. Relays can be used to activate auxiliary lights, fuel pumps, electric fans, starters or even torque converters. They can also be used to deactivate items like your ignition switch, often used by car alarms. Relays can be used to operate both power or ground circuits. More advanced uses would include combining multiple relays together to activate & deactivate accessories depending on your needs. The two basic automotive relays. The first is the SPST -single pull single throw- relay, illustrated below, the second is the SPDT –single pull double throw relay illustrated on the following page. The SPST relay has one output terminal marked 87 and the SPDT relay has two outputs marked 87 & 87a. For Example; A SPST relay could be used to power an electric fan and a SPDT relay could be used to deactivate the ignition switch for your car alarm.

SPST Relay (relay deactivated) No Power comes in to terminal 30, there is no power at terminal 87, 87 30 +12v Battery because terminal 86 is not receiving a +12 volt signal from the Power dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is grounded. 86 No +12 volt Note: You can also buy SPST relays with two 87 output terminals 85 Switch Off Ground

SPST Relay (relay deactivated) +12 Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87, 87 30 +12v Battery Volt because terminal 86 is receiving a +12 volt signal from the dash 86 +12 volt mounted switch. Terminal 85 is grounded.

85 Switch On Ground

SPST Advanced: Terminal 85 switched, (relay activated) +12 Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87, 87 30 +12v Battery Volt because terminal 86 is powered with +12 volts and the 85 ground 86 +12 volt ON terminal is switched ON. Note: Terminal 85 can be switched 85 Switch On Ground

SPST Advanced: (relay activated) +12 Power comes in to terminal 30, & flows to through to terminal 87, 87 30 +12v Battery Volt because terminal 86 is receiving a +12 volt signal from the dash mounted switch, and terminal 85 terminal is also switched to 86 +12 volt ground. 85 Switch On Note: In this configuration both terminal 85 and 86 Switch On must both have closed circuits for the relay to Ground be activated. Conversely either terminal 85 or 86 can deactivate the relay. SPDT Relay (relay deactivated)

+12 Volt 87a Power comes in to terminal 30, with +12v available at terminal 30 +12v Battery 87a and no power at terminal 87, as terminal 86 is not receiving No Power 87 a +12 volt signal from the dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is 86 No +12 volt grounded. 85 Switch Off

SPDT Relay (relay activated) No Power 87a Power comes in to terminal 30, with no power at terminal 87a 30 +12v Battery and +12v available at terminal 87, as terminal 86 is receiving a +12 Volt 87 +12 volt signal from the dash mounted switch. Terminal 85 is still 86 No +12 volt grounded. 85 Switch Off

Decoding the Electrical & Relay terminals: Circuit: a closed path providing continuous passage of electricity {aka. a closed-circuit} Open Circuit: a break in electrical flow {ie. switch or broken wire}

Relay Terminals: Terminal 30 is the main power in to the relay, often this would be from the +12 volt battery terminal. Trigger Terminals: Terminal 85 is normally attached to the chassis ground. Terminal 86 is normally the +12 volt trigger for the relay, usually coming from a small dash mounted switch. Relay Output terminal/s: Terminal 87 is the relay power output. Note: terminal 87 is open when the relay is at rest & is closed when the relay is activated Terminal 87a is an alternate main output for a SPDT relay. Note: terminal 87a is closed when the relay is at rest & is open when the relay is activated

Relays can be used to handle a variety of electrical tasks.

Now that we have illustrated the SPST & SPDT relay as well a number of different ways to trigger a relay, let’s look at how you would wire a relay into an Opel. First we’ll look at the starter solenoid circuit. In the Opel GT, Manta/1900 & Kadett, Opel chose to have the ignition switch directly power the starter solenoid for starting. The Opel ignition switch is good for about 100,000 miles or 10 years of service. To extend the service life of the switch a relay can be added between the starter and the ignition switch. Battery + _

Fuse 87 30

86 +12 volt

85 Ignition Switch ‘ON’ Ground red/black wire from ignition terminal 50

SPST Relay (relay activated) Power comes in to terminal 30 from the battery flows through the activated relay to the starter solenoid terminal 50. The ignition switch wire (red/black) engages the relay instead of the starter, protecting it from the high current demand of the solenoid. Terminal 85 is straight to chassis ground. The relay is best located under the hood near the starter. How–To Upgrade the wiring for Halogen Head Lights

Factory head lamp wiring on most cars is just adequate for standard sealed beam non-halogen head lamps. However when switching to halogen head lamps, especially high powered halogens, it is recommended to rewire to ensure peak performance from your new high dollar lighting system.

2 lamp system: GT or Kadett

87 30 Alternator Fuses 86 Head B+ High Lamp Beam 85 Relay

Hi-Low Beam 87 30 Selector

Head 86 High Lamp Low Beam 85 Low Relay

4 lamp system: Manta

87 30 Alternator Fuses 86 Low/Hi B+ Beam High 85 Beam Relay

Hi-Low Beam 87 30 Selector High Beam 86 High Low Beam 85 Low Relay

Why use Relays?

High Two main reasons: One, the oe wiring on most cars is too small & Two, the wire distance from the battery to the dash and back out to the headlights is rather long. Beam Halogen bulb brightness is severely compromised with decreased voltage. For example, normal engine–running voltage in a 12 volt automotive system is about 13.5 volts. At this voltage, halogen headlamps achieve 100% lumens output. When operating voltage drops to a mere 12.8 volts the halogens will only produce 83% lumens. If available voltage is even lower, say 12.15 volts, bulb output drops dra- matically down to a paltry 67% of lumens output.

Low/Hi This voltage drop problem is far more common than you might think.

Beam Note: Opels use ‘full current’ amp meters, so it is best to take power from the alter- nator, rather than the battery + terminal. This way the power for the headlamps doesn’t go through the Opels existing wiring at all, which in turn reduces stress on the entire wiring harness.

Info from KG Hueck AG, Germany

_

Fuse @ Fuse Box

Battery

Got Lights? Beam

+

-

Hi

Fuse High Beam wire color in our Opels is: White High Beam wire color is activated relay ‘B’ is ener- When the high beam terminal 87a to 87 effectively gized and flips from lamps. deactivating the driving

Master Switch Auxiliary Light To

–

30 86 85 30 86 85 How

state, in regards to what type & number of auxiliary lamps you may have, when may have, when lamps you & number of auxiliary to what type state, in regards - 87 87a 87 87a

to

B -

Lighting Laws vary from state Lighting

Automatically switch off Driving lamps when high beams are activated beams are when high lamps off Driving switch Automatically

Lamp Lamp Driving Driving coming traffic (especially the local constabulary). (especially the coming traffic beams are activated. Once again employing a simple relay will aid you in avoiding a traffic violation and/or blinding any on- and/or blinding a traffic violation aid you in avoiding a simple relay will again employing activated. Once beams are Note: auxiliary lamps. tions before installing Most states require that auxiliary driving lamps, only be On, when low beams are activated and be, switched Off, when high switched Off, when activated and be, low beams are only be On, when driving lamps, require that auxiliary Most states check your state specific regula- installed heights may be. Please and what the maximum & minimum they can be used, OMC BY-LAWS (As annotated & amended, January 2008)

ARTICLE I: Name and Insignia Section 1. The Name of the club shall be Opel Motorsport Club. Section 2. The club shall have official insignia, as the members shall determine. ARTICLE II: Club Activities Section 1. To promote interest in AG vehicles and associated activities Section 2. To promote good fellowship, skill and sportsmanship among the members. Section 3. To promote competence in maintenance and safety of operation. Section 4. To publish a bi-monthly newsletter with the name of The BLITZ. (Note: The Blitz newsletter became a bi-monthly, starting with the January/February 2007 issue). ARTICLE III: Membership (Amended January 1999) Section 1. There shall be two (2) types of members in this club: Active and Honorary.

Section 2. Definition of Members: Active: Pays dues and votes regularly. May assign by written proxy any other active member to act in his or her stead. Spouses of members are entitled to all privileges of membership except voting rights. Honorary: Affiliation shall be awarded or rescinded by unanimous vote of the elected officers. Honorary mem- bers shall be entitled to receipt of newsletters but shall not have voting privileges. Section 3. Club members, and advertisers in The BLITZ, shall be subject to discipline for cause. Motions for dis- cipline shall originate with the membership and shall be determined by the elected officers as they see fit. Any member expelled from the club shall receive the remaining unused balance of their dues. Any advertiser whose advertisements are removed from The BLITZ shall receive the unused portion of any fees paid. (Note: January 1999 Amendment restricted award of Honorary membership and Motions of Discipline, to “elected” officers. Published November 1998) ARTICLE IV: Dues Section 1. The annual dues for active membership shall be $45.00US annually for North America and overseas. Section 2. Dues are payable to the Opel Motorsport Club and are collectable by the club treasurer. Section 3. Any member whose dues are in arrears two (2) months shall automatically be suspended from mem- bership.

(Note: Online-Only $20/21 option added August 2002. PayPal options at $47/$21 added April 2002.) ARTICLE V: Officers (Amended January 2003, January 1999) Section 1. The officers shall be the President, the Vice-President/Secretary, Editor, Treasurer, Activities Coordi- nator, Motorsports Coordinator, and Webmaster. Section 2. All officers in good standing shall be entitled to a complimentary extension of their club membership. Such extension shall be equal to the length of time that they actually serve the club as an officer. The Editor of The BLITZ, in recognition of the unusual demands inherent with this position, shall receive a membership extension, in months, equal to twice the number of newsletters published under his/her tenure. Section 3. There shall be two (2) types of officers in this club: Elected and Appointed. Section 4. Definition of Officers: Elected: Shall be elected for a one-year term by a vote of the active members. May assign by written proxy any other active member to act in his or her stead. Appointed: Shall be appointed or removed by unanimous vote of elected officers. Appointed officers shall be entitled to the same benefits as elected officers but shall not have the voting privileges of an elected officer. (Note: January 2003 Amendment combined the VP/Secretary and eliminated the Motorsport Coordinator positions, and changed some of the duties of each Officer. Published November 2002. January 1999 Amendment added the Webmaster position and “Appointed” Officer clause. Published November 1998). ARTICLE VI: Elections Section 1. The President shall appoint a nominating committee at the September meeting. Nominations shall be solicited from the membership by mail in the October issue of The BLITZ. Nominations shall be requested from the floor at the November meeting. Section 2. All nominees for office must consent to their nomination prior to their name being placed on the bal- lot. All nominees for office shall be active members in good standing. Section 3. Election ballots shall be sent out in the December issue of The BLITZ. Elections shall be decided by a simple majority of all active members returning valid ballots. Ballots to be counted shall be limited to those which are returned no later than one week PRIOR to the January meeting. In the event that a write-in candidate re- ceives a majority vote of the ballots returned, that candidate must consent to serving as an officer. Otherwise, the position in question shall be awarded to the candidate with the next highest quantity of votes. Section 4. All officers shall be elected in December, shall assume office in the following January and shall hold office for one year. All officers are eligible for reelection. If a vacancy shall arise among the elected officials during the course of the officer’s term of office, the remaining elected officers shall, by a simple majority vote, select a successor to serve out the balance of the remaining term.

ARTICLE VII: Duties of Officers (Amended January 2003, January 1999) Section 1. President: (Elected) Presides at all meetings, appoints ad hoc committees and acts as ex-officio member of all committees. Section 2. Vice-President/Secretary: (Elected) Performs the duties of the President in His or Her absence, and is responsible for all general correspondence. In addition, takes minutes and secures entertainment at the monthly meetings.

Section 3. Editor: (Elected) Shall be in charge of The BLITZ and responsible for the publication of same. Section 4. Treasurer: (Elected) Collects dues, issues receipts, manages other club assets, keeps financial re- cords, makes payments from club funds as required. Signs club checks and makes reports to the membership in The BLITZ. Has automatic authority to reimburse members for bona fide Club expenses incurred by them upon presentation of receipts up to thirty dollars ($30.00). Any expenditures of greater than thirty dollars ($30.00) must be authorized by a majority of the elected officers. Checks for over thirty dollars ($30.00) must be counter- signed by another officer of the club. Section 5. Activities Coordinator: (Elected) Plans the yearly event calendar, assists all event chairpersons and promotes Club activities and assists the Vice-President/Secretary in membership activities. Section 6. Webmaster: (Appointed) Shall be responsible for development and maintenance of the club’s Web site. Due to the special skills required for this position, the experience and qualifications of the candidates shall be considered during selection. (Note: January 2003 Amendment combined the VP/Secretary and eliminated the Motorsports positions, and changed some of the duties of each Officer. Published November 2002. January 1999 Amendment added the Webmaster position, and the term “Elected” to descriptions. Published November 1998). ARTICLE VIII: Meetings (Amended January 2007) Section 1. Meetings shall be scheduled, with advance consent and by agreement, of a majority of club officers. (Note: January 2007 Amendment changed the previous schedule from monthly meetings. Published Dec. 2006) ARTICLE IX: General Provisions Section 1. This club shall be a not-for-profit organization. Section 2. In the event it becomes necessary for this club to disband, the Active members shall decide by a ma- jority vote as to the disposition of the club’s assets. ARTICLE X Delegations (Amended January 1999) Section 1. Delegations shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of a majority of the elected Officers, to represent this club at any convention, meeting or assembly as may be deemed necessary. Such delega- tions shall exercise only those powers specifically vested in them by the Officers.

(Note: January 1999 Amendment add the term “elected”. Published November 1998) ARTICLE XI: Amendments Section 1. This constitution and by-laws can be amended only by a written motion for amendment and a written second. Such motions for amendment must be submitted for publication in The BLITZ. In the following month, a ballot for the amendment shall be sent out in The BLITZ to all active members. The amendment shall have passed if two-thirds (2/3) of those responding within sixty (60) days of the ballot mailing have approved the amendment. If two-thirds (2/3) of those responding by mail should not approve the amendment, that amendment shall be said to have failed. In either case, the results of the vote shall be published in the next issue of The BLITZ. Section 2. Amendments so adopted shall take effect immediately. Opel Shoe ?‘s’?

While this may sound like an April Fools’ Day gag, the high-heel shoes do indeed exist.

Designed by Luca Stappers, these one-of-a-kind aqua-colored high heel shoes were unveiled on Wednesday April 2nd. 2008 during a special party at the SHOEBALOO shoe shop in Amsterdam, Holland as part of Opel’s promotional campaign for the new Agila minicar. Still don’t believe me?

Shoebaloo is designer/footwear boutique with three shoe shops in Amsterdam, and their concept store in Rotterdam has a large and exclusive collection of shoes, bags and accessories from designers like: Miu Miu, Gucci, Fendi, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and many more.

So, if you find yourself heading to Amsterdam, and you have a shoe fetish… then check out the Shoebaloo store located on PC Hooftstraat #80 . Canadian Rallye Kadett Owner: Ray Morley, Devon, Alberta Canada

Greetings from Devon, Alberta Canada

Ray Morley is a long time Opel owner who contacted me some time ago stating he was eager to get his long-time Opel project back into action, and to get this project done.

Pictured to the right is Ray’s orange 1970 1.9L Rallye Kadett with . Ray has also done a great deal of custom upholstery on his rallye’s interior.

Ray sent me some pictures of his work in progress. In his words; “Here are a few more pics. of my interior. It is coming together quite nice. Still lot’s of detailing to do and I have only ran into one snag. I put my 36 year old dash pad back on, and I was very delicate with it. It ended up getting a small crack in it on the left side. Oh well...... what can you do??? I used some glue to seal the crack and made a small homemade Dash Pad out of the same material the seat covers are made with and until I find another mint black dash this will have to do. Actually, it looks pretty good and to the untrained eye one would think its OEM!”

Ray also mentioned to me that he has made progress and that he has already replaced the ignition coil and spark plug wires. His next project is to replace his Weber. The 1.9L engine currently does have a Weber in place, but Ray mentioned it was in rough shape and that he would prefer to start with a fresh one.

Above: Ray’s custom upholstery handy-work. The seats and door panel material is tweed.

Below: Back seat area cleaned prepped and ready to receive the new back seat.

Above: Front and rear seats upholstered, ready to be install.

Right: New door panels. The gray and black color combination make a nice fresh and clean statement. Opel’s Eco-Speedster

- The Future is already here. -

The Opel Eco Speedster first wowed crowds at the Paris Auto Show in 2002 and has also been aired in the Discovery Channel’s Future Car series. The sleek holds a distinguished place in the growing family of high performance modern diesels that are breaking records, as well as prejudices about what diesels can do on the road and on the track.

September 18, 2002 The premiere of the spectacular Eco-Speedster concept at the Paris Motor Show marked the start of the new diesel offensive by Opel.

The Eco Speedster, with its diminutive 1.3L ECOTECH CDTI, tops out at an impressive 155 mph and logged an equally impressive average fuel economy of 113 mpg during its 24 hour endurance test. A combination of low weight (660 kg/1,445 lbs.), minimal drag, mid-engine design, and a 5 speed automatic transmission let the Eco Speedster rip and sip at the same time. Opel built the car to spotlight its ability to make highly efficient, next generation diesels that are a blast to drive. Above: Wind Tunnel Testing at Opel. The mandating of clean diesel cars here in the USA is expected to open up the gates to a host of new diesel powered models. Unfortunately many of us are still wary of diesel and more often than not associate diesel with tractor trailers and black soot. However, Opel’s Eco-Speedster should be proof enough that diesel’s can tear it up. In contrast many pickup owners have become familiar with the efficiency of a turbo powered under their hoods, so why should we not begin to find a performance diesel under the hood of a . Perhaps our prejudice will need to go out the window. From late 2002 through 2003 Opel and Vauxhall introduced four new diesel engines with power outputs up to 177 hp. The launch of Eco Speedster marked the start of this new emphasis on diesel power. It demonstrated how lightweight aerodynamic bodywork

and the new 1.3L CDTI common-rail diesel engine can achieve an amazing top speed combined with an amazingly frugal fuel consumption.

During initial testing the 112 hp concept

car reached a maximum speed of more than 155 mph while fuel consumption on the combined cycle was an unbelievably incredible 113 mpg.

The prototype was based on the mid- engine {aka. Vauxhall VX220 in the U.K. } and featured carbon fiber bodywork with improved aerodynamics. These im- provements significantly reduced the drag coefficient down to 0.20 and reduced body weight down to 1452 pounds. The chassis then received the new compact ECOTEC 1.3L 16 valve CDTI engine. The engine uses a multi- jet common-rail fuel injection and a variable geometry .

The four cylinder engine, a manifestation of the first joint venture from GM- Powertrain, made its production debut in 2003 while complying with the strict Euro 4 emission limits. In the diesel is mated to GM’s automated .

Explaining the background of the prototype, Opel CEO Carl Peter Forster said: “The Eco-Speedster is the symbol of our comprehensive diesel offensive and at the same time demonstrates the engineering expertise of Opel in powertrains, lightweight design and aerodynamics.”

Convoluted Diesel Laws State-by-State Currently four states have followed suit with California in banning new diesel passenger car sales. Currently these states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The only vehicle that is scheduled to be legal for ‘lease-only’ in these states is the new Mercedes E320 with Bluetec diesel technology. It is legal for sale in the other 42 states. Other states like Maine will allow a used diesel car to be registered from out-of-state if it has more than 7,500 miles on the odometer. Massachusetts and New York are banning non-California legal diesel cars.

I was just able to snap a quick photograph of the Eco Speedster at the end of the factory tour that I recently completed with the Dutch Opel GT club.

It was real neat to see this vehicle, up close & in person.

Editor’s Note: Last year, an TDi took first place in the opening race of the famous Le Mans series, and the biodiesel powered Lola raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 2005. Diesel based hybrids and plug-in hybrids are seen as a promising next step in the evolution of the internal combustion engine. Königseder - The Newest Hot-Tuner Opel GT. -

Konigseder

Giovanna

Introducing the Königseder Opel GT ‘aime.

Königseder decided to debut his Tuner Opel GT - not in Essen - but instead at SEMA in the Giovanna booth.

According to Königseder, ‘Opel men and women know exactly what they want.’

They want a 300 sleek-tuned HP - the Opel GT.

With aerodynamic accents - front spoiler and rear wing - race wins over mass and causes exactly the right tension between driver and car. Königseder emphasizes the soft silhouette on the one hand and the power dynamic character, of the car, on the other.

The GT employees a KW coil-over suspension system {version 3} which guarantees not only sporty driving, but will also record outstanding lap times, through individual shock adjustments and the aggressive Yokohama tires.

The GT was displayed with a custom built Brembo brake system which provides excellent deceleration with its 332mm brake rotors and 4 pistons brake calipers.

The interior received a special hand made floor mats in black and red, with Opel’s ad slogan GT ‘aime script.

This GT was debuted last year in Las Vegas at SEMA sporting 20” Giovanna Dalar wheels. Hard Top Future? 2009 Solstice - Could a hard top become available for the GT - Text: Dennis G. Pictures: by Carscoop

After talking with a number of classic Opel GT owners, many of us have come to the same conclusion, that the new Opel GT and -Redline is a fun and very powerful vehicle, however it is not the most practical car on the road today. It has the right engine. A 2.0L turbo direct injection engine pumping out a healthy 260 hp that delivers a respectable 26 mpg on the highway. It has four wheel disk brakes coupled to modern ABS with traction control and GM’s Stabili-trac system. It has a hydroformed frame. It even has massive hollow front and rear sway bars measuring 33 and 25 millimeters respectively. Without any doubt, the Kappa platform GT, Sky and Solistice are exceptional cars in many ways. Now if it wasn’t for the lack of storage space for the weekend get-away. Although James Bond might like traveling light, with a lithe blond heroine and her loaded lipstick, however most of need just a tad more luggage space.

GM Design to the rescue! Introducing the ‘09 Solstice that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in March, with its removable hard top. We can hope that the Opel GT and the Saturn Sky will shortly be available with this option soon. It is not too difficult for me to see, with just minor tweaks to the quarter windows and back glass, the classic GT lines. They could very easily be achieved. From the specifications table there will be a small sacrifice in the form of a slightly higher curb weight, but the open air feel of the is not sacrificed. The center roof is remove- able for that classic Targa roof look. Expect the hardtop option to arrive at Pontiac by early 2009.

Editor’s Note: Round off the rear edge of the quarter window, slightly square off the back glass, keep the rear deck spoiler and you can easily image the classic GT lines in the roof. With any luck, and good sales at Pontiac, GM could and should introduce a hardtop option for the GT/Sky.

James Bond approved. The DB5’s ejection seat can be easily be incorporated. Continued from page 8 I would suggest (in my case, demand) that a thorough review of the end result is understood and that cost is also discussed. Time is not always an accurate endeavor as not all vendors, machinists, and suppliers are of the utmost integrity, nor ethical!

Look before you leap and ask questions - the truth is if you are going to budget your dream engine, it may be more of a night- mare! “Don’t start something that you can’t finish.” And remember this - there are always four things in an internal combustion engine that must be compatible to the end result: Compression - Cam - Carburetion, and Exhaust.

In addition, there are: B.M.E.P. (Brake Mean Effective Pressure) - Rod Ratios - Weight of Reciprocating Mass - Swept Volume Material - Gear Ratios - Types of Lubricants,… and a thousand other necessary things that eventually crop up.

The next chapter will start with the bottom end (block, rods, bearings, crankshaft, pistons, rings, gaskets), and so on.

Part II As stated in Part I of “How To…” , I will start with the bottom end - the block, crankshaft, rods, pistons, rings and bearings. But, before I do, I will answer to ‘flack’ that I have received for Part I. “Thank you” - Since most comments were negative, I am doing what I set out to do - that is, educate the ignorant. And, “Yes,” ignorance is not stupidity - it is what it is - ignorance. And, we “all” are ignorant of something, as pointed out to me by someone (whose name I choose not to reveal) who purchased a head from me. And, yes, this is important to the end result!

Then this individual phoned (from New York ) & said he had a head he wanted me to make into a “HOT” or high performance - he wanted the works. But when we discussed the cam that he wanted to use (one he had already purchased), I explained that to use that cam in a 2.2 head the spring base would have to be sunk (lowered) by at least .40 of an inch & that the roof of the inlet port would be in danger of collapsing due to the thinness of the top of the intake port that would result in doing so.

After much discussion as to spring bind, lash caps, retainers, etc., I explained that if he would go to a .100” longer valve stem, we could achieve the right spring pressure, albeit a degree less of geometry in the rocker arm, but double the degree of safety. He said “No,” that he had spent hundreds of dollars in the valves, springs, retainers and locks and to do what I could with the existing “envelope.”

After much measuring and planning I ported the head (142 cfm at .500 lift), installed stainless steel seats, guides, port matched and did final assembly and painted it a beautiful cherry red. - It was shipped!!

About a month later I get this irate phone call saying that the head would not flow enough to produce the HP he had planned. We went through the situation all over again -- and I got an “Oh...I forgot.”

A month after that I got another phone call. “You stupid so and so, - my head broke and you did a bad job.”

What eventually came to light was that he put in the cam he had originally purchased - it caused spring bind and also broke the head above the intake port.

In retrospect, I wish I had written this long ago - but not only did I not know what I was getting into, I made the mistake of as- suming (a bad thing) that most of you knew more than you actually did - my mistake. I was also guilty of ignorance. I learned a lot in these last twenty years. - Whew...pause...now the engine block.

I’m not going to discuss the “have nots” in this case, but say “I looked for the following in choosing a good block.”

No, or minimal rust in the water passages, no serious rust on the top surface (where gasket fire ring will be), and “BIG” main caps. (1.???) and measure the bore - if more than 3.760 the walls will be too thin; if a 2.0 or later engine block is used, the walls start at 3.746 and you can go .080 over. A 1.9 block will be 3.66 standard bore.

Always...bore the block to the piston(s), thereby establishing the best way to achieve proper clearance. The block should also be flat - no more than .006 difference. Just a light resurfacing will achieve flatness. Keep the deck height, if possible, to no less than .010 removed. If you go beyond .010 the compression goes up and the piston-to-valve relief becomes compromised.

Too be continued... Street vs. Race There is no comparison

Opels For Sale, by Private Parties

Classified 1968 Opel Kadett- $3000 Good Condition.. White, Some restoration needed.. Phone: 717-808-9269 (PA) Ads The Opel Motorsport Club offers Advertising as a service to its 1971 OPEL GT 1-OWNER, NEEDS RESTORED. members and does not endorse or bear responsibility for any claims $1000.00obo Call 412-758-7140 ASK FOR RICKY. IAM made by advertisers. OMC strongly suggests exercising caution in MOVEING OUT OF STATE (PA) any transactions for items, including: Checking out Vendor reputa- 6 's - Going to part them, need to sell all parts tion on Internet discussion boards such as at: www.opelgt.com 2 opel mantas - need to be parted A lot of the lights and Sales Brochures little stuff is parted, we have one air conditioning unit and a few brand new parts such as side panels. You name it we OPEL ORIGINAL sales brochures showing all Opel got it. Come check it out, the more you buy the better the models, interiors, features for the year. Great for deals!! or let me know if you need a specific part. Restorations or Gifts! ALL PRICES PER YEAR: Call Scott at 425-485-3996, leave message (WA) 1947-49, $40; 1950-54, $35; 1955-64, $25; 1965-69,

$18; 1970-present, $15. Add $3.85 shipping. Specify 1970 OPEL FUNNY CAR STREET LEGAL 2 BODIES year & model. VlSA/MC. Also have literature, manuals, TRADE - $17555 all cars, trucks, motorcycles, world-wide. LOOKING FOR THE PROJECT OF A LIFETIME? THIS IS Visit our website: http://www.autolit.com ONE OF THE WILDEST STREET DRIVEN CARS EVER Walter Miller, 6710 Brooklawn, Syracuse NY 13211. ASSEMBLED..FIRST APPEARED AS 1976 OPEL GT 315-432-8282. Fx 315-432-8256 or E-mail: FUNNY CAR "MOODY BLUES". IN 1978 AND 1979, THIS [email protected] SAME GEARHEAD WAS DROPPING JAWS AT THE STREET ROD NATIONALS IN A '23T ALTERED. IT WAS IN FACT THE SAME CHASSIS WITH TWO DISTINCT OPEL GT SOURCE BODIES. IN RECENT OUTINGS, THE OPEL WAS Open Mon-Fri AWARDED 2ND PLACE HONORS IN THE FUNNY CAR Orders: 1-800-673-5487 8am - 5pm Pacific DIVISION AT 2005 AND 2006 WORLD OF WHEELS. Info: 1-209-928-1110 9am - 6pm Mountain Fax: 1-209-928-3298 10am - 7pm Central IN 1978 HOT ROD MAGAZINE RECOGNIZED A GROUP Web: www.opelgtsource.com 11am - 8pm Eastern Catalog: $4.00 OF HARD CORE SUPER STREET PIONEERS DUBBED Email: [email protected] THE "WILD BUNCH". THIS GROUP WAS DEDICATED TO Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4004, Sonora, CA 95370 USA PUSHING THE ENVELOPE OF PERFORMANCE TO THE UPS Shipping Address: 18211 Zeni Lane, Tuolumne, CA 95379 USA LIMIT– .THE ROOTS OF TODAY'S PRO STREET MANIA New, Reproduction, Used & High Performance parts for: CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY BACK TO THESE FIRST Opel GT, Manta A, 1900 , Wagon & Kadett B "GO FAST GUYS". THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PIONEER- Direct Importer. Same Day Shipping policy. We accept Visa, Master Card, ING VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN STORED American Express and Discover. Serving the Opel Community Since 1987 FOR A LONG TIME, THIS STREET DRIVEN FUNNY CAR/ ALTERED IS STILL A NATIONALLY KNOWN PIECE OF STREET MACHINE HISTORY. 1310 N. TAMARIND AVE. YOUR ONE STOP OPEL SHOP RIALTO, CA 92376 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: EVERYTHING IS SOLD IN ONE LOT AS A PACKAGE WWW.OPELSUNL.COM PHONE: 909-355-OPEL DEAL. IT IS A PROJECT CAR- ALL THE HARD WORK FAX: 909-355-6557 HAS BEEN DONE. THE PACKAGE INCLUDES ENGINE- COMPLETE REBUILT AND INSTALLED, COMPLETE ROLLING PARTS & SERVICES CHASSIS, BOTH BODIES, AND EXTRA FOR ALL OPELS PARTS..CURRENTLY A PROJECT THAT DOES NOT FROM MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER.., A WELL KNOWN 1960 TO 1980 HISTORICAL VEHICLE, AND AREN'T AFRAID TO JUMP “If You Bought It Somewhere Else, IN AND TURN SOME WRENCHES, PLEASE READ ON. You Paid Too TRADESACCEPTED: PRE 70 CORVETTE or Street Rod, Much” (value $20,000) 815-467-6353 Randy (WI)

2008 Southern Pacific Road Race Schedule:

Date: Event: Track: Region: June 6-8 Res. Regional/Enduro CA Speedway CA Club August 30-31 Double Regional BRP 18A CW CA Club Sept. 27 -28 Double Regional WSIR CA Club Oct. 25-26 Dbl. Regional/Enduro BRP 1A CW CA Club Nov. 15-16 Double Regional BRP 14A CCW CA Club

Info. For the south western regional racing events, courtesy Roger Wilson. For the first time ever one book delivers a comprehensive documented look into the racing history of the Opel GT between 1968 to 1975. Special attention is given to the professional teams, and cars of the tuners; Virgilio Conrero, Henri Greder and Klaus Steinmetz.

In English & German, order yours at: www.petrolpics.com

This book was painstakingly researched and written by Maurice van Sevecotte of Belgium, a friend of mine and OMC for over a decade.

Maurice has spent the last ten years researching the racing history of the GT by traveling and visiting with the original drivers, engine builders and mechanics throughout Europe.

I was able to interview Maurice last month at the GT Europatreffen near Stuttgart Germany. He updated me on the restoration progress of his authentic Conrero GT (see July/Aug. Blitz ’07) and about his upcoming book.

The book is written in both the English & German language and will be limited to 2000 copies. If you have always wanted to know more about the GT’s racing history, I would suggest going online and pre-ordering your copy today. Copies are sure to sell out quickly.

Originally Maurice was just collecting documentation, literature, rare racing parts and material to authentically restore his Conrero racer. However, once he had amassed this rare archive of material he was faced with two choices. The first was to keep everything for himself and share it with a few other people, and the second was too compile everything into a book and share it with everyone. He mentioned that the second choice was by far the more difficult option, but I believe it was well worth the effort.

The ‘Opel GT in Motorsport’ book and Maurice’s restored original Conrero GT will both be unveiling in September this year in conjunction with the GT Historic Drive, hosted by Opel. Dennis G.

New 18th. Scale

With opening doors, hood and rear tail gate.

It is always exciting to bring something entirely new to our readers. In Jan/Feb. I made reference to the new GT and the new Manta models. This month I have a new Fire Department issue 59 Rekord model to introduce, which compliments the standard Rekord wagon I photographed at the Opel Forum in Russelsheim. Dennis G.