Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel GT Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Vauxhall-Opel GT has a 1897cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The GT shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the GT's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 970 kgs (2138 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 in the same weight category as the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel GT shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1897cc 8V St4 engine produces 88 bhp (65 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 110 lb-ft (149.1 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel GT you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1990 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi (115.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel GT.

The Vauxhall-Opel GT has a Power to weight ratio of 90.7 bhp per ton and 113.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 GT competing with the 1990 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi (115.6 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (115.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel GT generating around 113.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (138.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (138.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.0 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 as fast as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (10.60 secs) the 1974 Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (10.60 secs) the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (10.60 secs) the or the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (10.60 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 is also faster than the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel Viva GT 2.0L (10.70 secs) the 2002 Ford KA Street KA (10.80 secs) the 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (10.80 secs) the and the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed (10.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GT and the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel GT on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.34 secs @ 74.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 (18.26 secs), the 1998 Bentley Arnage 4.4 V8 (18.26 secs), and the 1970 Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (18.27 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 GT equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel GT 1900 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph).

Related Links:

1968 GT Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison