InsideInsideInside thisthisthis issue:issue:issue: 350 cid Swedish Blender, at War Stuttgart Opel Meet by G. Rust Manta Museum Racer, Congressional Motors? Opel Owner in WA & MD meets Press Tech: Demystifying the GT Air Filter OMC New Years Party Details, Opel Nationals, Early Info Volume 28, Issue 6 November/December 2008

OMC Editor’s Central We want submissions! Welcome to the Opel 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 van Steen: (011 31) 297 340 TIPS, PARTS INFORMATION, LETTERS , OMC TREASURER, c/o Dick Counsil 536 (please take note of the zone CHAPTER ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENTS, 3824 Franklin Street before calling), fast60gt (at) yahoo.com ADVERTISEMENTS AND ALL OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST TO: La Crescenta, CA 91214-1607 Florida Chapter (Coral Gables, FL) Opel BLITZ 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 2007 OPEL MOTORSPORT CLUB Treasurer with address changes at least one OFFICERS & STAFF month in advance.

CLUB OFFICER’S PRESIDENT PAUL HEEBINK E-MAIL ADDRESS VICE PRESIDENT Jerry Hendrix 805-526-3765 ON THE COVER: ACTIVITIES TBA TREASURER Dick Counsil 818-248-5504 Face: OMC Blitz Staff [email protected] BLITZ EDITOR TBA WEBMASTER Rich Upper right: Manta Tuning Race Rep. Roger Wilson President’s Letter

Economic downturns, recession, and cutbacks effect everyone in some way, and in the first week of December it hit me too as I lost my job of 12 years as General Manager of an NBC television station in Yuma Arizona. I even had to give up my company car!!

No fear as my trusty 1975 Sportwagon was pressed into service. Driving around town in my 33 year old car “sans” power windows, cruise control, and automatic transmission became good metaphor for appreciating life and the basic joys. I have my health and my family and I very optimistic about becoming reemployed.

Recently I removed the rear seat and created a very functional platform to carry things. The Sportwagon was loaded to the hilt this past Saturday as I carried a load of tables and chairs to my young son’s birthday party. Everywhere I went I got a thumbs up or a question. The under 40 crowd asked ”Is that a Datsun?” or “Is that a Vega?” The older people smiled and said “I haven’t seen one of those in years… it looks great!” It is good to be brought back to earth sometimes and I can’t think of a better way than in my 1975 Opel timemachine….Happy Holidays to all!! Paul

Letter From The Historian Obsession: excessive preoccupation with an idea, or delusion. Webster’s Dictionary This summer, two thousand and eight, marks my 25th anniversary of continual uninterrupted Opel ownership. The event would have gone completely unnoticed if RallyeBob on ‘opelgt.com’ had not mentioned his quarter century milestone online. And if owning one brand of automobile is not obsession, then please tell me what is! It also go me to thinking: What was the most sought after improvement we as Opel owners desire or crave? The answer for me was multifaceted, but eventually boiled down to seeking more performance and more power.

Invariably, people at car shows have ask me, ‘Do you have a V 8 in there?’, or as the Dodge commercial years ago asked, ‘Does that thing have a Hemi?’ Horsepower and cars go hand in hand and as a nation we judge our automobiles in 1/4 mile incre- ments. Pick up any car magazine, such as Road & Track, and you will see the 1/4 mile potential of their feature car. Of course you will also find other specifications, but the 1/4 mile still times still rules. If you want more proof, grab the TV remote and for the reality show “Pinks”. Do you want to know the 1/4 mile time of a 1995 Tercel? No problem. The 1/4 mile time is listed online as 18.4 seconds. Note: In contrast the stock Opel GT ran the 1/4 mile in 17.6 seconds and the 1974 Manta did so in 18.3 seconds.

I myself started craving for more power back with my first 1974 Manta in 1983. I dropped in a set of oversize 9:1 compression pistons, a 292 degree .450 lift cam, added a Weber and a 4 into 1 tube header. Since then I have installed built a number of Opels with performance engines. As I have gotten older (remember 25 years) my obsession for performance has drifted from all out horse power to something a bit more mature. This ‘more-mature’ route had me chose engines that not only made power, but that would deliver reliable daily performance. To fulfill that goal I turned to larger displacement Opel engines with fuel injection and more high tech Opel engines. Jury: I present Exhibit A. My 1973 GT with a fuel injected 2.4L. Exhibit B. My 73 Manta with the 150 hp Opel 2.0 16V engine. However an automobile can not live on HP alone.

As my obsession progressed I realized that any automobile must be a total package to be truly brilliant. The driveline must be able to handle the extra power, corner with confidence, and haul you down from triple digits speeds without drama! My quest turned to bigger clutches, 5 speed transmissions, 4 wheel disk brakes, larger sway bars, polyurethane bushings, performance shocks, and either stiffer or lowering springs. This obsession (or drive to perfection, if you wish) has even spread to my more mundane cars. such as my daily driver 1980 Buick Regal. She started life as a 105hp 3.8L V6 but now sports a ’89 Trans Am GTA L98 engine with tune port injection and 240 hp with 340 foot pounds of torque. The suspension received a full polyure- thane bushing upgrade with boxed control and trailing arms, revised upper control arms and spindles with massive 12 inch slotted rotors and rear disk brakes. The stock automatic was replaced with a 200R4 overdrive transmission with a 5400 rpm governor with the rear differential received a limited slip with 3.42 gears.

As I reflect back on a quarter century with Opels, I can see that the drive for performance, reaped perfection and how that drive for perfection has reaped obsession. Left to its own devises obsession can end up being a bad thing, but in perspective as a balance package, obsession does have its rewards. Dennis G. Treasurer’s Report Sept. - Nov. 2008

Membership Report August 1st. - October 31st. 2007 New Memberships 10 Name City State Dennis Chin {Online} Kristopher Christi {Online} Enterprise AL Michael Collins {Online} Treasurer’s Report September - November 30, 2008 Robert Harden {Online} Maple Heights OH Beginning Balance September 1, 2008 $8,902.60 Carl & Joy Herzog {Online} Lakeside CA Income Jo Anne Jenkins {Online} OH George & Cathy LaPlace Electric City WA Member Dues Stuart McCallister {Online} Sept 1st. - November 30th. $1,031.00 Anders Rothausen {Online} Regular 2 New & 22 Renewals Alan Simpson {Online} Fallbrook CA Online 8 New & 0 Renewals Mark & Mary Sinclair {Online} Windsor Canada

Blitz Advertising, Sales, Etc. 44.00 Membership Renewals 15 Paypal Transfer to Bank Account 45.34 Name City State Income Subtotal $1,120.34 Nancy & Don Camison Watsonville CA Expenses Dr. Armund Chaput Fort Worth TX Blitz Publication w/ postage July/Aug 470.50 Steve D’Auria & Jennifer LaPlante Sierra Madre CA John & Connie Dickerson Springfield IL Expense Subtotal $470.50 Jack Elizares Kelseyville CA Closing Balance November 30, 2008 $9,552.44 Thomas Hoffmann San Diego CA Paul & Karen Kaman Shelton WA September - November 2008 Terry & Dorothy Lee Covington WA Kris Nudson El Segundo CA Blitz Publication w/ Postage Sep-Oct 400.00 est. 9,152.44 Blitz Publication w/ Postage Nov-Dec 400.00 est. 8,752.44 Jack Rauch Effort PA Cameron R.G. Smith Tucson AZ Deposits Don & Debbie Stewart Palos Verdes CA Gary & Susan Townsend Cottage Grove OR 09-04-08 $227.00 Michele & Butch Whitehouse Brentwood NH 11-03-08 $940.00 Michael & Jacky Wilson Prescott Valley AZ Total Deposits Sept. - Nov. 2008 $1,167.00

2009 OMC Events January New Years Blow Out Where: Laguna Niguel, CA Date: Saturday January 12th. see the back page of this issue for details

April Opel Show Where: Charlotte Spring Auto Fair Lowe’s Motor Speedway Charlotte, NC Date: April 4th & 5th.

May Carlisle Import Show Where: Carlisle, PA Date: May 15th thru 17th.

July Opel National Hosted: Opels of Washington Where: Tacoma, WA Steinmetz Calendar from 1974: Depicted is May with a silver 1974 Opel Date: July 17th. & 18th. Ascona with the ubiquitous Steinmetz fender flares and wide wheels. Opel Power in Colorado

The Opel GTs, in the photo above, are all super low mileage 1973 models ranging between 45 to 65 thousands miles. The GT on the left belongs to a Mr. Feynman. The 87 911 and the two GT on the right belong to Mr. Kutyna of Colorado. Mr. Kutyna also owns a two other 1900 wagons and a Manta.

Revel Models: Manta 400 Homoligation car and the Manta 400 Rallye car (Rothmans)

Both models are 1:18th scale measure in at just under 10 inches long. Both are highly detailed with proper interior and ap- propriate engine compartments. Either models would be a fine addition for your Opel display case. Cost wise these are not the most inexpensive models at 60 Euros ($83 dollars) but are well worth it.

Manta 400 interior

Engine Bay: Manta 400 Rothmans Swedish-American Blender 5.7L Twin Turbo Kadett Wagon

Take one Plain-Jane 1978 Kadett C wagon, mix in a 452 HP twin turbo fuel injected small block Chevrolet and you have a recipe for some serious fun.

Many an owner has dreamed of stuffing a V8 under the hood of their Opel, few have ever done so and even fewer to this extent. Contrary to what you might be thinking, this is no ‘install what-cha got kicking around the garage motor’. Housed between the fenders is an all aluminum Chevrolet Donovan racing block and aluminum cylinder heads topped with Brodix valve covers and a Big -Ram high flow EFI manifold twin turbos and a front mounted intercooler. All in all this small block puts out a respectable 452 hp and 730 foot pounds of torque under a moderate 7 psi of boost. The all-aluminum engine was chosen to keep the front weight down and retain the handling. Due partly to the light weight, this Chevy-powered Opel will charge the 1/4 mile just under 11 seconds at 136 mph. To handle the power the rear of the wagon was mini-tubbed and fitted with a shortened Ford 9 inch differential suspended by a pair of Koni coilover shocks. Under close scrutiny the rear fenders have been slightly stretched to accommodate the large 17 inch diameter 11 inch wide wheels. Swinging around to the front we find two pencil beam lamps integrated into a custom made front air dam which was created by extending the stock sheet metal considerably. The bumpers and all chrome trim were removed giving this subtle wagon a more aggressive all-business appearance. In keeping with the subtle appearance the interior was left spartan and augmented only with a pair of Momo racing seats, large dash mounted tachometer, custom built cage, fuel cell, and nitrous bottle. Even the battery was relocated to the spare tire opening for better weight distribution. Subsequently this light weight double duty street legal wagon is as home on the track as it is safe on the street. In Europe the Kadett C suspension is almost legendary for its ability to carve corners, however with over 450 horsepower on tap the brakes required serious upgrades to be street legal in Sweden. 13 inch front and 12.4 inch rear cross drilled brake rotors with multi-piston AP racing calipers are required to rein in all of this power.

The conclusion: With careful selection of light weight parts and the elimination of superfluous trim and interior parts, this 1978 Opel wagon will not only pin you to the Momo racing seats under full acceleration, but throw you against the seat bolsters and the 5 point racing seat belts under cornering and braking. An absolute Monster.

B L I T Z - F A C T S Engine: 5.7L Donovan small block Chevy twin turbo; Specs: 452 hp and 730 lbs. ft. torque with 7 psi of boost; Best ETA: 10.93 1/4 mile, top speed 218 kph; Brakes: Front 330 x 32mm, Rear 315 x 20mm and AP Racing Calipers Suspension: Lowered 2.5 inches with front and rear Yellow Konis; Wheels: TSW VX1 rims; Front: 17x7 with 225-40-17, Rear: 17x11 with 335-35-17 rubber; Featured: Bilsport Magazine in Sweden, March 2001 pg 84; Owner: Frode Englund Club Affiliation: http://www.opelmotorsport.com/ OPEL at WAR

Opel Worker’s Magazine during WWII:

Der Opel Kamerad, January 1941.

(translated: The Opel Companion) Cover: The Opel Panzer

During the Weimar Republic Germany suffered under massive inflation due to crushing war reparation payments and massive currency devaluation. This climate of unrest eventually led to Hilter and the Nazi party movement, and eventually WWII. Just prior to WWII most German com- panies were Nationalized and General Motors lost posses- sion of Opel.

After 1933 the Opel management published its factory magazine in cooperation with the press department of the DAF, the Nazi Party’s “German Labor Front” which had replaced all trade unions. By 1941 the bimonthly glossy was distributed across Europe among the Opel workers who had gone to the front as soldiers and mechanics.

Photo: Anita Kugler

Almost anyone in Europe or North America who has ever held a steering wheel or a television remote control can name two U.S. carmakers, market leaders on both continents, and their German subsidiaries.

General Motors, the largest corporation on earth, has been the owner since 1929 of Adam Opel AG, Russelsheim, the maker of Opel cars.

Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, is currently the world’s third largest corporation by revenues. In 1931, Ford Motor built the Ford-Werke AG factory in Cologne. Ford Werke still thrives today as the headquarters of European Ford.

GM built a military truck factory in Brandenburg, after an explicit request from the German armed forces. All this occurred under the aegis of American managers in Dearborn and Detroit.

At the outbreak of war in 1939, Opel converted its largest factory to warplane engine production.

Opel’s Brandenburg factory made the aptly named Opel Blitz, which was considered the best of the German army’s 3 ton trucks.

The Opel Blitz truck, built for over 2 decades, was designed to be extremely versatile. It could be used for a variety of tasks from simple hauling of cargo to use a forestry trucks, fire trucks, fuel carriers and as a weapon of war. One Blitz truck was even used to test an early rocket engine that was tied to its roof. The Blitz Truck’s Seemingly Inconsistent Missions & Uses

Above: Blitz “Maultier” (Mule) truck with tank tracks and anti-aircraft gun mounted in the bed.

Left: Opel Blitz trucks used by the Red Cross to deliver medial supplies.

Working for the Enemy: Ford & GM during the Second World War by Reinhold Billstein, Karola Fings, Anita Kugler and Nicholas Levis

Three historians who have published previous German-language works on these subjects: Reinhold Billstein, Karola Fings and Anita Kugler collaborated with American writer Nicholas Levis in creating complete and updated versions of their findings for an English-speaking audience. The team engaged in new research and collected dozens of photos and other materials that appear the book.

Even after the United States entered the war, the priority at both mother companies was to preserve their highly productive and profitable German subsidiaries. The same Americans who had run Opel during the war advised the targeted bombing of the Opel factory.

Within a few years after the war, during the period of Allied occupation, the same German managers who oversaw the wartime feats of production returned to the upper echelons of the top German corporations, including Ford Werke and Opel.

The situation changed in recent years as former forced laborers and their lawyers began to take action against German corporations in U.S. courts. The first U.S. lawsuit seeking compensation for Nazi-era forced labor in Germany was filed against and Ford Werke AG in March 1998.

General Motors and its subsidiary Adam Opel AG were also sued in a wave of litigation that hit nearly every major German corporation, from and Daimler-Benz to Siemens and Bosch. At the same time, hundreds of related suits swept through the German labor courts.

The book’s conclusion reviews the subsequent, immensely complex negotiations towards a settlement - which involved Germany, the United States, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic, Israel & other countries, as well as representatives of forced labor associations and the German corporations themselves. In December 1999 the United States and Germany reached an agreement under which 10 billion marks were paid in compensa- tions to individual victims of Nazi-era.

The book then turn to the same story viewed from the perspective of individuals trapped within the Nazi machinery of terror. The second part of the book is an in-depth scholarly and oral history of labor at Ford Werke in Cologne.

Chapter 3 presents a tribute, by the writer and Russelsheim town historian Bernd Heyl, to Walter Rietig, an Opel worker who was executed as a resistance organizer by the Nazis in 1942. Rietig kept up contacts between the German resistance and the French prisoners of war at Opel in Russelsheim. Stuttgart, Germany 2008

Recap of the 16th Annual European Opel GT Meeting 40th Year of the Opel GT & 30 Anniversary of the GT-Club-Wurttemberg by George Rust

I recently got a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to Germany for the 40th Anniversary of the Opel GT gathering in Stuttgart, Germany. I was there for three days, saw over 150 GTs, and made countless new friends. I have to say, seeing this many GTs in one place is a bit overwhelming for this American. They were nearly all in perfect condition with an amazing amount of work (and Euros) put into them. I used to think my GT was nice, well it would have been bottom of the pile at this meeting.

One of many exceptionally clean GTs. There was everything from convertibles to targas T-tops and Aeros. Bone stock to wild. Some phenomenal paint jobs as well and it was nice to see such a variety of colors to get ideas. I tried out the little German I know when I got the chance Rick from Colorado taking a photo of a 1969 Swiss GT. Note his legs but I as amazed how many people there spoke very reflection in the paint and the mural under the hood. good English. There were twelve Americans there. We’ve had meeting here in TX with less! The swap meet was great as well. Tables and tables full of parts and all of them for GTs!

Lower Show Field, approximately 200 Opels GTs made it out for at least one of the three day event that started Friday evening with German Brats and Beer. One of the many parts vendors at the show.

Everyone there went out of his way to make us Americans feel welcome. And I would personally like to thank Louis van Steen and Mike Siegel for working very hard to make us feel at home.

I challenge every Opeler to at least once in your life to make the trip to a big Euro meet, you won’t be sorry you did. I also got the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with Gerry Lenk (of Lenk Opel Tuning) & Erhard Schnell (GT head designer).

I left the meet on Monday morning, picked up a rental car (Opel Corsa) and went and visited with a cousin of mine about 160 miles north of Stuttgart. We visited some great castles among other things. On Wednesday I left there and drove to Russelsheim and went on the Opel factory tour. That was very cool.

From there I drove to Heidelberg to visit one of the largest castles in Germany. If you go here, take your walking shoes. Below the castle is literally miles of stores and shops and restaurants. That night I filled up my 1.2 liter Corsa with $100 worth of gas and drug myself back to Stuttgart to get ready for the flight out the next Our Good Friends from the Dutch Opel GT Club. morning.

Six days later with a lot miles under my feet, pictures in my cam- era, and memories to last me a lifetime, my Getrag and I headed back to Austin. by George Rust OPEL HERITAGE’S, MUSEUM RACER

There was a time in Germany when poking fun and making jokes about the Opel Manta B owner/driver was a national past-time. There were even films made about this same Manta owner, which obviously were not very flattering. The movies portrayed the same as mindless guys (called ’Manni’) with their blond hairdresser girl friend riding in the co-pilot seat… that was in the 1980’s.

Fast forward to today and most of these Manta B series cars have not survived, much due to the Manni stereotype. The Manta B, in original condition, is as rare to encounter on the roadways as meeting a Ferrari, much less then the Manta A series from 1970-75.

Consequently, most people have completely forgotten men like Walter Röhrl who raced the Opel Manta A series, in the then World Rallye Championship, on road tracks around Europe.

Below I have a number of wonderful images taken during a photo-shoot flogging Opels own museum Manta race car. The same one Walter himself rallied back in the 1970s.

Take a set of Steinmetz fenders, a super rare cross-flow engine, a set of twin DCOE Webers, a racing history, in the then WRC (World Rallye Championship), sprinkle in a number of wins, add one rallye driver (Walter Röhrl) and the restoration shop at Opel Heritage and you have one rare piece of racing history. “OOOOH, AAAAH, OPELS”

Opel: Some owners think it’s a gem of a car

John Boespflug’s annual gathering of Opel enthusiasts will draw Opel fans from near and far. Just be sure to wash your car.

“Junk or jewel, we don’t care, just as long as you get it there.” John Boespflug’s love of the Opel GT shows up throughout his epic poem “Cruisin’.” Every line was crafted with care, from: In and out, up and down, We’ll cruise the wheels off this town, to: Wake up and tune in, Don’t say it could have been.”

The ode to his favorite car is just one way Boespflug shows his enthusiasm for the GT. Organizing an annual get-together for Thomas’ Opels Opel fans of all stripes is another.

Boespflug’s 18th Annual Opel Gathering takes place Saturday in Spanaway. Its a chance for owners of all types of Opels to get together, swap stories, rate each other’s vehicles and share info about the latest leads on parts for the rare cars.

Like the poem, the show is a labor of love for Boespflug. “I just happened to be driving along South Tacoma Way when I saw one in a car lot,” he said of that fateful day in 1982 when he spied a 1971 competition-orange Opel GT. “I thought, ‘There’s a nice little car.’ I made an offer and ended up getting it.”

In that pre-Internet era, it wasn’t always easy to find information about Opels, which weren’t nearly as common as, say, Chevrolets and . “I had to figure out what to do with it,” Boespflug said. “Once in a while I’d see another one, and I run ’em down and we’d stop and talk about Opels.” That’s pretty much how the annual gatherings got started, he said. It be- gan with just a few Opel owners getting together to talk about their cars. The first few years were exclusively about the Opel GT before Boespflug opened the event to every type of Opel.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: The show is one of the largest on the West Coast. There are a few shows in California that draw hundreds of Opels, but Boespflug’s gathering is the largest in the Northwest. Boespflug said he expects about three dozen Opels to show up Saturday. Opels from around the state will be at the show, from Paul Kaman’s shop in Shelton to Matt Alan’s collection in Woodinville.

Opels are a family affair for Ed Thomas of Lacey. Ed, his wife and their daughter will drive three Opels to the show: a 1969 Opel GT, a 1972 Kadett sedan and a 1969 Kadett Rally. “They’re fun, they’re unique,” Thomas said. “A lot of people have Chevys and Fords or whatever, but I’ve always liked the handling aspect of the Opels. And they’re still pretty economic. I usually get over 30 miles per gallon (on the highway). And I like the looks I get.”

Gil Wesson, owner of Opel GT Source, will make his way to Spanaway from Sonora, Calif. According to Wesson, the shop is the largest supplier of Opel GT parts in North America. Boespflug’s gatherings are exactly what Opel enthusiasm is all about, Wesson said. “The show has been around for a while,” Wesson said. “It’s a real grass-roots effort. And you get a nice mix of nice people, a friendly environment and unique cars.” It helps that the show is for a specific type of car, he said. “It’s nice to have the focus on Opels and not be mixed in with other cars like at other car shows,” Wesson said. “It’s a chance for us to shine.” The GT, or “baby Corvette,” is probably the most recognizable Opel on the road, Wesson said. He’s made a career out of selling newly machined parts to GT owners, a business Boespflug is grateful for. With some rare cars, it can be difficult to find parts. With GTs, “there are more parts in circulation today than ever before,” Boespflug said.

THE CAR TODAY: Today, Opels are extremely popular in Germany, Wesson said, adding that he’s planning to attend a one-week Opel history driving tour there this fall. The cars are manufactured in Germany and in North America among other places. In the United States, they’re distributed as certain types of Saturns. For instance, the 2008 Saturn Vue and Aura are essential the same cars as, respectively, the 2008 Opel Antara and Vectra, according to caranddriver.com.

The sporty GT is still Boespflug’s favorite. At one point, he had “15 and a half” of them sitting in his backyard. And he still owns one, which he keeps in storage. He also collects and assembles miniature scale models of Opels, maintains an Opel newsletter and organizes the annual show.

“It’s really a giant swap meet,” he said. “Everybody brings something to donate for a door prize, we vote on categories for trophies and give out dash plaques.

“And we have a lot of fun.” by Bill Hutchens, Tacoma News Tribune 7/14/2008 OUT OF THE PAST:

The Washington Times: It took awhile but Ron Lenzner finally has his 1970 Opel GT.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/10/curvaceous-opel-gt-was-and-is-captivating/

After returning home from a tour of duty with the US Army in Vietman Ron Lenzner was assigned to Fort Hood in TX. While there a friend bought a curvaceous Opel GT that captured Mr. Lenzner’s attention. “It looked similar to a 1969 Corvette,” he observed.

About 30 years later Mr. Lenzner began looking for a driveable Opel GT for himself.

He soon discovered that not many of the rust prone sporty cars had survived into the new century. His quest continued for four years until April 2004 when a 1970 model appeared for sale on ebay.

Mr. Lenzner was astonished when he was notified that he had placed the highest bid. Soon the car was on a truck bound for Mr. Lenzner’s home in MD.

Papers that arrived with the car indicate that he is the third owner. The first two owners were Texans.

Before the Opel arrived from Dallas Mr. Lenzner began to have second thoughts about his purchase. “I was having fourth thoughts by the time it arrived,” he says.

His anxiety was warranted. “It barely ran,” Mr. Lenzner says. “It had no brakes, the lights didn’t work and it leaked everything.”

Still, the sensuous lines of the Opel GT captivated him so he set about to repair his car. He did not realize the task was going to consumer four years.

The Curvaceous Opel GT was, and is, captivating Note the bulge in the hood to accommodate the .

A racing carburetor now sets atop the rebuilt 1.9-liter, four-cylinder engine. The bulge on the right side of the engine hood is there to accommodate the carburetor.

Mr. Lenzner discovered that Opel built GT models like his from 1968 to 1973. His 13.5 -foot-long two-seat car rolls on a 96-inch wheelbase supported by 13-inch tires.

It took awhile but Ron Lenzner finally has his 1970 Opel GT.

Writer: Vern Parker, Washington Times Friday Oct. 10 2008

Photographs by Bill O'Brien This Open -Letter was found (anonymously) in my email inbox written, by a non-politically correct and unknown author, about the kind of car Congress would make… and how they might sell it. It describes a commercial the Federal Government might make in order to inform the citizenry of the kind of car they will be allowed to purchase if they would like a car over the Federal Government preferred option for transportation: Public Transportation, Subway, Bus, or using sidewalks provided for your convenience. Warning: Politically In -Correct!! Congressional Motors Announces The First Car for 2012, The Pelosi

It’s in the way you dress… The way you boogie down… The way you sign your unemployment check!

You likes to do things your own way. And on those special odd-numbered Saturdays when driving is permitted, you want it in your car - It’s that special feeling of a zero-emissions wind at your back and the a road ahead meandering with possibilities.

The kind of feeling you get behind the wheel of the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition from Congressional Motors.

The all new for 2012, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the mandatory American car so advanced it took $100 billion and an entire Congress to design it.

We started with same reliable 7 -way hybrid ethanol-biodiesel-electric clean-coal-wind-solar-pedal power plant behind the base model Pelosi, but packed it with extra oomph and the sassy styling pizzazz that tells the world that 1974 Detroit is back again -- with a vengeance. We’ve subsidized the features you want and taxed away the rest.

Powered with its advanced Al Gore designed V3 under the hood pumping out 22.5 thumping, carbon-neutral ponies of Detroit muscle, you’ll never be late for the Disco or the Day Labor Shelter.

Engage the pedal drive or strap on the optional jumbo mizzenmast, and the GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition easily exceeds 2016 CAFE mileage standards. At an estimated 268 MPG, that’s a savings of nearly $1800 per week in fuel cost over the 2011 model Pelosi.

Even with increased performance we didn’t skimp on safety. Eleven-point passenger racing harnesses, fifteen-way airbags, and mandatory helmet -- you’ll have the security knowing that you could survive a 45 MPH collision even if the GTxi SS/Rt were capable of that kind of mind numbing, illegal speed.

But the changes don’t stop there. Sporty mag-style hubcaps and an all-new aggressive wedge shape designed by CM’s Chief Stylist Ted Kennedy slices through the wind like an omnibus spending bill. It even features an airtight undercarriage to keep you and a passenger afloat up to 15 minutes -- even in the choppy waters of a Cape Cod inlet.

Available a rainbow of color choices to match any wardrobe, from Harvest Avocado to French Mustard. Inside, a luxurious all-velour interior designed by Barney Frank features thoughtful appointments like an in-dash condom dispenser -- perfect for any social engagement or school training exercise.

A special high capacity hatchback holds up to 300 aluminum cans, meaning fewer trips to the redemption center, and the standard 3 Shown with the revolutionary speaker Fairness ActoPhonic FM low-band sound system means Solar Cell Pack Trailer you’ll never miss a segment of NPR again.

Best of all, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt is made right here in the U.S.A. by fully card-checked unionized workers and Day -Laborers.

Even if you don’t own one, you can enjoy the patriotic satisfaction that you’re supporting the high wages, good benefits, and generous political donations that are once again making the American car in- dustry the envy of the world.

With an MSRP starting at only $629,999.99, it’s affordable too. Don’t forget to ask about dealer incentives, rebates, tax credits, and wealth redistribution plans for customers from dozens of qualifying special interest groups. Plus easy-pay financing programs from Fan- nie Mae or Freddie Mac.

So take the Metro rail, bus, or walk to your local CM dealer today and find out why the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the only car en- dorsed by President Barack Obama.

One test drive will convince you that you’d choose it over the import brands, even if they were still legal.

Opel GT: Original Air Filter System Valve Cover Hoses

Opel GT owners who want to keep their engine Hoses are simply compartment “factory-original,” and others who have pressed in to the a functional original Solex carburetor, frequently ask ports on the Thin Hose to learn “what parts go where.” Because so many valve cover. (~7/32”ID) (~13/32”OD) Opels have had these parts altered or removed, and (There is because even the factory manuals don’t adequately Thick Hose NO PCV illustrate the original Opel GT air filter system, (~15/32” ID) valve used) (~3/4”OD) the original air filter configurations are shown here. Thicker hose, goes to metal “cap” on top of carburetor

Metal Cap Thinner hose, goes to thin vacuum port on intake manifold Must sit snugly on top of carburetor ,to avoid (on 1968-1972 manifolds it’s below a thick brake booster hose) hitting underside of the hood. (Transmission mount (on 1973-1974 manifolds, it’s on the engine side of carburetor) and bracket must also be correctly installed).

Hose port, is where Connector Hose formed hose connects to valve cover Rubber “accordion style” oval-shaped hose

Ring clamp attaches Clamps underside of metal cap, to top of Attaches hose ends to metal cap and filter lid carburetor Hinged Clamp(s) Solex Holds lid to base Carb

Typical 1968-1972 Opel GT water-choke model (32DIDTA)

Air Filter Lid (Underside Styles)

Inspection of the underside of the lid is required, to identify which style it is: “Early” or “Later”. Cannister Base with Snorkel “Early” 1968-1970 underside (at lower left), This piece is mounted onto a bracket in the engine compartment. had a protruding multiple -hole surface (with (The protruding “snorkel” attracts cooler air away from engine internal “straw-like” material) which will NOT fit heat, which enhances power with its denser oxygen mixture). aftermarket air filters that are now sold — (unless the protruding area is somehow removed). Hardware pieces (listed in descending order) include a bolt (13mm head), a wide metal washer, a rubber insulator, and below “Later” 1971-1973 underside (at lower right) the canister is a thin metal spacer sleeve and a rubber insulator. had a large round recessed area, which will fit aftermarket air filters that are now sold. Air Filter (mounts inside)

The typical aftermarket style is shown below. (Outer top lip, may require some trimming to fit) A higher-performance filter is also available.

“Early” 1968-1970 style “Later” 1971-1973 style www.opelclub.com 11/08 Opels with Aftermarket Weber : Air Filter Options

Basic Kit KIT A kit (with top and bottom mount plates, a 2 1/2” filter element, and a plastic elbow for the thick hose to the valve cover) is the least expensive and most widely used air filter system on Weber 32/36 DGEV-series carburetors. Elbow

It’s important to completely secure the 4 mount bolts to the carburetor, as vibration can cause them to loosen and get sucked into the manifold (which has ruined pistons and engines over the years).

Variations of this style of kit, include an older “redline” kit (which has a thinner 1 1/2” tall element) and some older K&N filters (some are oval shaped, and other models used foam with mesh domes).

Adaptor Metal Cap (attaches to An option for Opels, is a 2 1/4” tall adaptor to the connector hose) original Opel air filter system. This allows cooler air to enter the carburetor, via the snorkel which is away from the engine. Where to cut 1/2”, (if needed to fit) To avoid excessive height from the combination of the adaptor and the metal cap, a slight modification is Adaptor required. Slips over top of

The metal clamp around the base of the metal cap can carb be removed, and about 1/2” of its lower lip can be re- moved (with a hacksaw) to provide clearance (so that the top of the metal cap doesn’t strike the underside of the engine hood) www.opelclub.com 11/08

Dome Kit Dome Kit Components

The newest option for Webers, is a “dome kit”.

This replaces the original Opel “metal cap” for higher-performance applications.

This not only looks more Connector Hose

“modern” under the hood, Round Base but is a good application for engines with performance A round base sits on top of the parts (by developing more carburetor, and the dome attaches on top power with greater airflow). of the base.

It also helps solve clearance This kit can be connected to the issues with the 38DGAS original Opel rubber hose piece to (which is mounted with a the air filter, or a filter can be custom-fit taller gasket spacer). (using a longer connector hose). The 2009 Opel National will be in Spanaway, WA. At the Kelley’s Kafe, 16302 Pacific Ave, Spanaway.

Friday the 17th. There will be a car cruise to Mount Rainier. Saturday the 18th. We will meet at Kelley’s Kafe.

We will also have event T -Shirts for sale. Stay tuned for more events and times.

John D. Boespflug, 253-581-5372

THE BLUESMOBILE

Well you know, it’s like from the movie “The Blues Brothers.” Sometimes you get lucky and get to live out some of your fantasies.

November 1st. I went to a car auction, first time ever. I went to buy a van and ended up with a police car! To be more specific, a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria County Sheriff’s car, green with the pusher bars on the bumper and a working spotlight. When I punch the gas pedal to the floor it’s like being shot out of a cannon!

I guess I’ve kind of always wanted one after seeing that car chase movie a long time ago. Of course they did remove the door decals, also the lights on top and police radios. But I’m keeping the rest of the side stripes and the “DIAL 911” on the rear fenders. The best part is that I got the winning bid of $850.

The funniest thing is that I find myself being really careful in obeying all the speed limits now, more so than I ever was before. Seems like I just have to set a good example.

This car cost $25,000 when new and that’s without the police lights and radios. And this car is loaded, power windows, dual air bags, stainless steel dual exhaust, power mirrors, automatic overdrive in all gears, special rear end for driving on ice, and air conditioning. I did have to buy new tires, special high speed, high performance, with stiff side walls. The tire shop said that these are the same tires they install on Viper!

I’ve had more fun driving this car in the last month than I’ve had in the entire last year. This green machine still almost totally looks like it’s still a real police car. Not too many people want to speed around me now when I drive exactly the legal speed limit down the freeway!

This is going to be my “car Club car”, at my Opel car show in 2009, and I’ll lead a car cruise to Mt. Rainier on the day before. So get out and live your dreams! John Boespflug,aka The Wanderer Classified 1972 Opel GT parts Ads Complete drivetrain available, along with interior (steering wheel not available) and front and rear suspensions. Car The Opel Motorsport Club offers Advertising as a service to its members and does not endorse or bear responsibility for any claims does not run, and has not run for several years. The car is made by advertisers. OMC strongly suggests exercising caution in currently located at Lucky's Race Cars in Phoenixville (PA) any transactions for items, including: Checking out Vendor reputa- 1973 Opel GT tion on Internet discussion boards such as at: www.opelgt.com Original owner, 4spd, Almost all original. 21000 actual Sales Brochures miles, driven in Summer only, orange exterior, OPEL ORIGINAL sales brochures showing all Opel has AM radio and original tires, clean inside and out. models, interiors, features for the year. Great for $11950 Russ 920-979-5070 (WI)

Restorations or Gifts! ALL PRICES PER YEAR: 1973 Opel 1947-49, $40; 1950-54, $35; 1955-64, $25; 1965-69, Body good, engine runs hot. Call to see. $1200. $18; 1970-present, $15. Add $3.85 shipping. Specify Steve 626-497-7008 (CA) year & model. VlSA/MC. Also have literature, manuals, 1973 Opel GT all cars, trucks, motorcycles, world-wide. Black, 60k miles on engine, needs carb work. $1000. Visit our website: http://www.autolit.com 303-229-5635 (CO) Walter Miller, 6710 Brooklawn, Syracuse NY 13211. 315-432-8282. Fx 315-432-8256 or E-mail: [email protected]

Opel Wanted

I’m looking to buy my first Opel. Does anyone have one for sale in Alabama? Willing to travel. Carrie Cooper [email protected]

Opels For Sale, by Private Parties

1961 Opel Caravan (Station Wagon) Restored, looks like 57 Chevy Nomad, engine runs smooth, stick shift trans, new tires, all glass excellent, gets people's 1969 Opel Kadett Rallye attention and drives perfect. Also, I can ship to your country. EUR7000. Please call me at (949) 350 0909. (CA)

1969 Opel Kadett OPEL GT SOURCE 4spd, driven daily runs great just had front seats recovered Open Mon-Fri gets 40 mpg. $900. 540-832-2664 (VA) Orders: 1-800-673-5487 8am - 5pm Pacific Info: 1-209-928-1110 9am - 6pm Mountain 1969 Opel Kadett Rallye (photo at right) Fax: 1-209-928-3298 10am - 7pm Central 11am - 8pm Eastern Second owner. Original miles 40,600. Automatic Trans. Web: www.opelgtsource.com Email: [email protected] Catalog: $4.00 Must see to appreciate. (678)628-5019 (GA) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4004, Sonora, CA 95370 USA 1970 Opel GT UPS Shipping Address: 18211 Zeni Lane, Tuolumne, CA 95379 USA 1.9 engine, 4 speed Project car, restorable, extra parts New, Reproduction, Used & High Performance parts for: 623-261-1456. (AZ) $950. Serious inquiries only, please. Opel GT, Manta A, 1900 Sedan, Wagon & Kadett B Direct Importer. Same Day Shipping policy. We accept Visa, Master Card, Opel GT Funny Car American Express and Discover. Serving the Opel Community Since 1987 Street Legal, 2 bodies, will also trade for pre-1970 Corvette ($20k value). NSRA 1970's funny car "Moody Blues." With many parts, sold as a package deal. $16,900. 1310 N. TAMARIND AVE. YOUR ONE STOP OPEL SHOP RIALTO, CA 92376 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: Serious calls only, please. Randy 815-467-6353 (IL) PHONE: 909-355-OPEL WWW.OPELSUNL.COM FAX: 909-355-6557 COMPLETE PARTS & SERVICES FOR ALL OPELS FROM 1960 TO 1980 “If You Bought It Somewhere Else, You Paid Too Much” OMC New Years Party Saturday January 12, 2009 - Starting about 7 PM 36 South Peak Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA (949) 248-0669

John & Marjorie Maurillo have once again graciously opened up their beautiful home in Laguna Niguel, to host this year’s New Years party. So come and join in the New Year’s Fun. As always, the Blowout Party will be a Pot Luck affair, so here is this year’s list of who should bring what:

Your last name begins with: Its your turn to bring: DIRECTIONS ‘A’ through ‘F’ Dessert 1. Take Interstate 5 to Crown Valley Parkway Exit ‘G’ through ‘L’ Main Dish 2. Go South (toward beach) for 6 miles to Camino Del Avion ‘M’ through ‘S’ Chips & Dips ‘T’ through ‘Z’ Salad or Side Dish 3. Turn LEFT onto Camino Del Avion 4. Go 1/4 mile to South Peak The Club with provide sodas and non-alcoholic 5. Turn LEFT onto South Peak beverages. If you want something else, BYOB! 6. Go up hill to the 5th cul-de-sac on right side 7. House number 36 is on the corner, behind the cul-de-sac address monument