Review by CoMod Carrera 124 of Carrera the Evo/D132 Opel GT Steinmetz "Tuner1"
(27326 and 30520)
" "Only flying is better!" That's how Opel's advertising strategists put it back then. And ever since then, it’s been an unwritten rule that this catchphrase must be quoted in every article about the Opel GT. So I’ve already fulfilled that obligation here ;-)
Technical Specifications:
Weight (digital car, complete with magnets): 83
gramsWeight (analog car, complete with magnets): 78
gramsWeight (body): 21
gramsLength incl. Spoiler: 125 mm
Wheelbase: 76
mm Track width (front axle): 54
mm Track width (rear axle): 57 mm
Other: analog car without
lighting Overview of color and country variants:
The Opel GT will initially be available in two design variants. One is a tuner version in dark blue metallic, available as both an analog and digital car. The other is a racing version, as it was used in various touring car races in 1972. The racing version is produced exclusively for the digital lineup.
The Model:
The basic shape of the Opel GT is well captured, and the lines are flawless. And despite the thick “Steinmetz” fenders, the vehicle appears small and dainty overall, thus doing full justice to the real-life model. Opinions are divided on the color scheme—whether or not you like the metallic paint job with the printed U.S. flag is a matter of personal taste.
Also worth mentioning are the attractively designed, finely openwork spoke rims.
The Technology:
The chassis features all the characteristics typical of new designs since 2009: the magnets are located inside, and removing them requires removing the motor and/or the circuit board.i.d.R . However, since the magnets are . only removed once, this effort is, in my opinion, justifiable. The front wheels are independently suspended, and thanks to tighter manufacturing tolerances, they wobble noticeably less than on last year’s models—such as the Ford Capri.
Noteworthy is the low weight of 83 grams (digital car) and 78 grams (analog car). The difference in weight is due to the lack of lighting on the analog vehicle. The body itself weighs just 21 grams.
The lighting is a disappointment, at least at the front. The LEDs shine in every direction except forward.
Handling:
Let’s move on to the test drive: the low weight, combined with the small wheel diameters, suggests aggressive handling. For now, both magnets remain installed. With this setupGO!!!
, the GT handles on my test course almost like a
—vehicle—; as long as my standard driving voltage is set, even K1 can be taken at full throttle without any problems.
So, in the next step, I removed the rear magnet. This makes the acceleration just a tad more aggressive, and in the corners, something like a controllable limit zone emerges. However, the magnetic effect is still relatively strong. Nevertheless, I decided to leave the center magnet in the car so that digital turns can be navigated safely and quickly. When the limit is exceeded, the rear does break out, but the tendency to tip over is very low. If you want to drive completely magnet-free, there’s also enough space in the chassis to attach trim weights.
Overall, it’s a very lively, nearly foolproof car, perfectly suited for the typical home track with tight turns and chicanes. When using the analog version of the car, it doesn’t hurt to have a power supply with adjustable voltage on hand.
CoModCarrera
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Review by CoMod JoergW ofCarrera
the Evo/D132 Opel GT Steinmetz “Tuner”1"
(27326 and 30520)
Opel GT … “the little guy’s Corvette
.” “Driving an Opel is like flying”… and in the extra-wide Steinmetz version, it’s even more fun.
As a design offensive against the otherwise rather sedate and old-fashioned model lineup, the Opel GT was presented as a prototype in 1965 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt to an astonished and skeptical audience: the design, dubbed the “Coke-bottle shape,” featured pop-up headlights and clear borrowings from the successful Corvette produced by parent company GM.
The Opel GT was initially built in the Opel GT 1100 and Opel GT 1900 variants. The vehicle’s development relied on proven modular components. The floor pan, chassis, and the 1.1-liter engine were carried over from the Kadett B. The larger version was equipped with a modified Opel Rekord engine, which is also the reason for the bulge in the hood.
More than half of the production run was shipped to the U.S., where it sold exceptionally well. This is certainly one of the reasons why this successful model was discontinued without a successor. The little brother borrowed the design cues from its big sister… the Corvette clearly took priority.
Appearance:
TheCarrera model’s dark metallic blue paint job
looks very elegant and certainly resembles a modern, restored version more than a sports version from the early ’70s. The American flag on the hood cleverly draws a connection to the Corvette.
In my opinion, the yellow-and-black GT is a well-executed version
of the 1972 touring race car. All in all, this is a visually very appealing model that looks very true to the original, thanks in large part to the new, flatter chassis, which gives it a stylish silhouette. Personally, I’m not entirely satisfied with the mirrors used.
Technical Features:
Independent suspension with brass bushings, an extended steering angle for the keel, and treaded tires with good grip; the digital model also features front and rear lights. At the front, the auxiliary headlights are mounted in the grille, since the "sleeping eyes" are folded in.
Workmanship:
The tires, which grip quite well, sit relatively loosely on the rims. For long-term use, gluing them in place would certainly be recommended. The rims and axles are fine on both models.
Unlike other 1:32-scale vehicles, the GT is attached to the chassis at the rear with just one screw. In terms of handling, the resulting slight agility is unlikely to be either an advantage or a disadvantage.
Handling:
Low-slung, wide, with a relatively long wheelbase—what more could you ask for? With magnets, the GT is clearly superior to older 1970s vehicles thanks to its low profile and the extended swivel range of the guide keel. The inner lane of Curve 1 is no longer a nightmare.
For fans of magnet-free driving, both chassis offer space for custom-cut pieces of rolled lead from a roofing supply store.
Conclusion:
Highly recommended as an addition to the existing lineup of 1970s vehicles.
If you're looking for ideas for other model variations, more photos, or additional information, feel free to take a look around here:http://norbert.opelgt.org/
Maybe we'll get a bare chassis of this vehicle—wouldn't that be worth it?! There are certainly plenty of design ideas out there.
CoMod JoergW
(27326 and 30520)
" "Only flying is better!" That's how Opel's advertising strategists put it back then. And ever since then, it’s been an unwritten rule that this catchphrase must be quoted in every article about the Opel GT. So I’ve already fulfilled that obligation here ;-)
Technical Specifications:
Weight (digital car, complete with magnets): 83
gramsWeight (analog car, complete with magnets): 78
gramsWeight (body): 21
gramsLength incl. Spoiler: 125 mm
Wheelbase: 76
mm Track width (front axle): 54
mm Track width (rear axle): 57 mm
Other: analog car without
lighting Overview of color and country variants:
The Opel GT will initially be available in two design variants. One is a tuner version in dark blue metallic, available as both an analog and digital car. The other is a racing version, as it was used in various touring car races in 1972. The racing version is produced exclusively for the digital lineup.
The Model:
The basic shape of the Opel GT is well captured, and the lines are flawless. And despite the thick “Steinmetz” fenders, the vehicle appears small and dainty overall, thus doing full justice to the real-life model. Opinions are divided on the color scheme—whether or not you like the metallic paint job with the printed U.S. flag is a matter of personal taste.
Also worth mentioning are the attractively designed, finely openwork spoke rims.
The Technology:
The chassis features all the characteristics typical of new designs since 2009: the magnets are located inside, and removing them requires removing the motor and/or the circuit board.i.d.R . However, since the magnets are . only removed once, this effort is, in my opinion, justifiable. The front wheels are independently suspended, and thanks to tighter manufacturing tolerances, they wobble noticeably less than on last year’s models—such as the Ford Capri.
Noteworthy is the low weight of 83 grams (digital car) and 78 grams (analog car). The difference in weight is due to the lack of lighting on the analog vehicle. The body itself weighs just 21 grams.
The lighting is a disappointment, at least at the front. The LEDs shine in every direction except forward.
Handling:
Let’s move on to the test drive: the low weight, combined with the small wheel diameters, suggests aggressive handling. For now, both magnets remain installed. With this setup
So, in the next step, I removed the rear magnet. This makes the acceleration just a tad more aggressive, and in the corners, something like a controllable limit zone emerges. However, the magnetic effect is still relatively strong. Nevertheless, I decided to leave the center magnet in the car so that digital turns can be navigated safely and quickly. When the limit is exceeded, the rear does break out, but the tendency to tip over is very low. If you want to drive completely magnet-free, there’s also enough space in the chassis to attach trim weights.
Overall, it’s a very lively, nearly foolproof car, perfectly suited for the typical home track with tight turns and chicanes. When using the analog version of the car, it doesn’t hurt to have a power supply with adjustable voltage on hand.
CoMod
-
Review by CoMod JoergW of
(27326 and 30520)
Opel GT … “the little guy’s Corvette
.” “Driving an Opel is like flying”… and in the extra-wide Steinmetz version, it’s even more fun.
As a design offensive against the otherwise rather sedate and old-fashioned model lineup, the Opel GT was presented as a prototype in 1965 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt to an astonished and skeptical audience: the design, dubbed the “Coke-bottle shape,” featured pop-up headlights and clear borrowings from the successful Corvette produced by parent company GM.
The Opel GT was initially built in the Opel GT 1100 and Opel GT 1900 variants. The vehicle’s development relied on proven modular components. The floor pan, chassis, and the 1.1-liter engine were carried over from the Kadett B. The larger version was equipped with a modified Opel Rekord engine, which is also the reason for the bulge in the hood.
More than half of the production run was shipped to the U.S., where it sold exceptionally well. This is certainly one of the reasons why this successful model was discontinued without a successor. The little brother borrowed the design cues from its big sister… the Corvette clearly took priority.
Appearance:
The
In my opinion, the yellow-and-black GT is a well-executed version
of the 1972 touring race car. All in all, this is a visually very appealing model that looks very true to the original, thanks in large part to the new, flatter chassis, which gives it a stylish silhouette. Personally, I’m not entirely satisfied with the mirrors used.
Technical Features:
Independent suspension with brass bushings, an extended steering angle for the keel, and treaded tires with good grip; the digital model also features front and rear lights. At the front, the auxiliary headlights are mounted in the grille, since the "sleeping eyes" are folded in.
Workmanship:
The tires, which grip quite well, sit relatively loosely on the rims. For long-term use, gluing them in place would certainly be recommended. The rims and axles are fine on both models.
Unlike other 1:32-scale vehicles, the GT is attached to the chassis at the rear with just one screw. In terms of handling, the resulting slight agility is unlikely to be either an advantage or a disadvantage.
Handling:
Low-slung, wide, with a relatively long wheelbase—what more could you ask for? With magnets, the GT is clearly superior to older 1970s vehicles thanks to its low profile and the extended swivel range of the guide keel. The inner lane of Curve 1 is no longer a nightmare.
For fans of magnet-free driving, both chassis offer space for custom-cut pieces of rolled lead from a roofing supply store.
Conclusion:
Highly recommended as an addition to the existing lineup of 1970s vehicles.
If you're looking for ideas for other model variations, more photos, or additional information, feel free to take a look around here:http://norbert.opelgt.org/
Maybe we'll get a bare chassis of this vehicle—wouldn't that be worth it?! There are certainly plenty of design ideas out there.
CoMod JoergW
