Opel GT Love: Little Corvette turns 50

Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat, Manta, Monza - many Opels have illustrious names and thrilling designs. But there is just one true legend of the brand with the flash: the GT. For generations of drivers the sports coupé is an eye-catcher, milestone, cult, and dream. It is regarded as the most sensational Opel ever. And as an example for today's models - especially the GT Concept, which premiered at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2016.

When I was a young boy and saw the Opel GT, I knew: When I grow up, I must have this car. My wish came true, says former Opel manager Karl-Thomas Neumann in his preface. And Bob Lutz, living automobile legend, 84 year old combat jet pilot, who, as a young marketing director at Opel, played a substantial role in starting the GT series, praises the GT: The GT has a lot in common with my Alpha Jet: It is not very comfortable, has weak air-conditioning, the boot is almost non existent. But that is irrelevant. One hour in the Jet or GT - and you feel just happy. Almost younger.

The slogan for the GT matched this feeling: Just flying is better. A promise that also proved true in motorsports. And as an experimental diesel and electric GT, the German answer to the Corvette even achieved world records.