Car and Driver's Opel GT: The Right Project Car for the Times

Why It Matters

The build demonstrates how small, cost‑effective platforms can meet modern emissions standards while delivering genuine performance, influencing hobbyist projects and low‑volume manufacturers.

Key Takeaways

• Opel GT chosen for low cost, two‑seat coupe.
• Engine tuned to 100 hp while meeting emissions.
• Anti‑roll bars and larger tires improve handling dramatically.
• Project car engages staff creativity and testing expertise.
• Results challenge perception that small cars lack performance.

Pulse Analysis

The Opel GT project illustrates a growing trend among automotive publications to use legacy models as live testbeds for engineering innovation. By selecting a relatively inexpensive, two‑seat coupe, Car and Driver could explore the limits of emissions‑compliant tuning without the financial risk associated with newer platforms. The engine’s blue‑printing process—porting the head, adjusting compression, and fabricating a custom exhaust header—delivered close to factory‑rated power while adhering to lead‑free fuel requirements, showcasing how modest modifications can extract performance without violating strict EPA rules.

Beyond power, the team’s suspension overhaul underscores the outsized impact of chassis dynamics on driver engagement. Installing aftermarket anti‑roll bars and swapping the stock 165HR‑13 tires for larger 15‑inch Goodyear 60‑series units dramatically increased lateral grip and stability. These changes required only minor bodywork and a revised axle ratio, proving that strategic tire and roll‑bar upgrades can elevate a modest sports coupe to handling levels that challenge even established performance brands. Such findings resonate with enthusiasts seeking affordable ways to boost cornering confidence.

From a broader industry perspective, the Opel GT experiment serves as a case study in collaborative, cross‑departmental innovation. Engineers, designers, and writers all contributed, turning a routine editorial budget item into a platform for real‑world experimentation. This approach not only generates compelling content for readers but also yields data that can inform low‑volume manufacturers and aftermarket parts makers. As emissions standards tighten and consumer demand for fun, efficient cars grows, projects like this highlight viable pathways to blend regulatory compliance with driving excitement.