Awesome Car! I think it looks like a Vega wagon & a Nova.
![]()
Welcome,
Welcome,
Opel Kadett Gasser
Feburary 5, 2013....... if you look at the date when I joined this forum & started this build thread (August 5, 2011) quite a bit of time has
passed since then. When I read what has been posted since then so many things have either been "changed" or "omitted". So much so I feel
in NEED to try & bring things into "order" and get some sense what has happened to bring me to the point I am currently at. The previously
posted text & pictures may be helpful to some or at least give you a good understanding of why I need to basically "start over" with this build
thread. (post #109)
=============================================================================================
I am NOT only a "new member" to the GasserHot Rod.com forum but also a Gasser owner.
I am NOT new to owing "TRUE HOT RODs" (not Street Rods) ..... thus the "Milner" nickname that I was given by my drag racing buddies back in the 70's when everyone else was still riding around in "muscle cars".
Back then I had a '40 Chevy powered by a 301 ci SBC & 3 speed tranny right out of a "totaled" '57 Vette. Gasser stance - carb thru the hood - fenderwell exit headers - gutted interior - Mustang bucket seats - '57 Pontiac rearend.... Not your "Father's street rod" In fact, back then, most "street rodders" hated my hot rod. My, My.... things have changed over the years.
Currently the Opel Wagon is running a 350 sbc with a turbo 350 tranny & Ford rearend. Everything about install was done right and the welding done over the years have been by professional welders. You can see that some of the original welding (that has not been re-done or replaced by updated mods etc, etc) was done with a stick welder. Nicely done but NOT as "pleasing to the eye" MIG or TIG welding of today.
Right now I am doing a lot of looking "around" and especially "under" the car.
The Opel was built by GM using a unibody design very similar to all of its "American-Made" cousins. It was imported from Germany & sold thru BUICK dealers.
Currently the front & rear unibody frames are tied together & reinforced with 2" x 3" rectangular steel and there are "cross members" and gussets here, there & everywhere.
Just like you guys..... even though it's the middle of Summer I am making a "to-do-list" for this Winter already!!!!
This car has been together for many years & recently updated & drag raced again by the guy I got the car from. Over the Winter I would like to re-do the rear suspension & update the frame to match the 2 x 3 frame that was built for the front & mid-section of the car.... along with putting on new "coil overs" .
Up FRONT I plan to modify the rack & pinion suspension - re-position the shock mounts and also raise the car 3-4 inches. It has a transverse spring so raising the front should not be too hard to do.
For now all I want to do is at least get the car "streetable" if not "street-legal".
Currently, I am working on installing an exhaust system using "shorty mufflers" from Summit along with Bandlanz electric controlled exhaust cutouts which will be a LOT of FUN on cruise nights. Plus, I am getting TOO OLD to crawl under cars to un-hook mufflers from headers.
Also need to install some headlights, turn signals, wipers & mirrors.
Some of the "fun to do" things I am going to do NOW is to replace the tiny "for looks" hood scoop with a 427 Vette scoop .... and then add some SS badges to "really confuse" people about what this car is. Most people seem to think it looks like a "mini-Nova" .... being a station wagon really confuses them.
I am really going to enjoy working on this car & sharing it with everyone here on this forum.
passed since then. When I read what has been posted since then so many things have either been "changed" or "omitted". So much so I feel
in NEED to try & bring things into "order" and get some sense what has happened to bring me to the point I am currently at. The previously
posted text & pictures may be helpful to some or at least give you a good understanding of why I need to basically "start over" with this build
thread. (post #109)
=============================================================================================
I am NOT only a "new member" to the GasserHot Rod.com forum but also a Gasser owner.
I am NOT new to owing "TRUE HOT RODs" (not Street Rods) ..... thus the "Milner" nickname that I was given by my drag racing buddies back in the 70's when everyone else was still riding around in "muscle cars".
Back then I had a '40 Chevy powered by a 301 ci SBC & 3 speed tranny right out of a "totaled" '57 Vette. Gasser stance - carb thru the hood - fenderwell exit headers - gutted interior - Mustang bucket seats - '57 Pontiac rearend.... Not your "Father's street rod" In fact, back then, most "street rodders" hated my hot rod. My, My.... things have changed over the years.
Currently the Opel Wagon is running a 350 sbc with a turbo 350 tranny & Ford rearend. Everything about install was done right and the welding done over the years have been by professional welders. You can see that some of the original welding (that has not been re-done or replaced by updated mods etc, etc) was done with a stick welder. Nicely done but NOT as "pleasing to the eye" MIG or TIG welding of today.
Right now I am doing a lot of looking "around" and especially "under" the car.
The Opel was built by GM using a unibody design very similar to all of its "American-Made" cousins. It was imported from Germany & sold thru BUICK dealers.
Currently the front & rear unibody frames are tied together & reinforced with 2" x 3" rectangular steel and there are "cross members" and gussets here, there & everywhere.
Just like you guys..... even though it's the middle of Summer I am making a "to-do-list" for this Winter already!!!!
This car has been together for many years & recently updated & drag raced again by the guy I got the car from. Over the Winter I would like to re-do the rear suspension & update the frame to match the 2 x 3 frame that was built for the front & mid-section of the car.... along with putting on new "coil overs" .
Up FRONT I plan to modify the rack & pinion suspension - re-position the shock mounts and also raise the car 3-4 inches. It has a transverse spring so raising the front should not be too hard to do.
For now all I want to do is at least get the car "streetable" if not "street-legal".
Currently, I am working on installing an exhaust system using "shorty mufflers" from Summit along with Bandlanz electric controlled exhaust cutouts which will be a LOT of FUN on cruise nights. Plus, I am getting TOO OLD to crawl under cars to un-hook mufflers from headers.
Also need to install some headlights, turn signals, wipers & mirrors.
Some of the "fun to do" things I am going to do NOW is to replace the tiny "for looks" hood scoop with a 427 Vette scoop .... and then add some SS badges to "really confuse" people about what this car is. Most people seem to think it looks like a "mini-Nova" .... being a station wagon really confuses them.
I am really going to enjoy working on this car & sharing it with everyone here on this forum.
1 - 20 of 169 Posts
Thanks..... will try to get photos soon....Awesome Car! I think it looks like a Vega wagon & a Nova.
![]()
Welcome,
2
Thanks..... This car will be a "keeper". Have already started getting "stuff" done so we can get it back on the street and catch a few shows & cruises before the weather changes.
So far got the "slicks" off it and Mickey Thompson drag radials mounted..... also got a "temporary exhaust system" mocked up.
![]()
![]()
So far got the "slicks" off it and Mickey Thompson drag radials mounted..... also got a "temporary exhaust system" mocked up.
3
From a distance the overall "look" of the Opel is that it came this way from the Factory.
Whoever installed the flairs (no I do NOT know what they came from) did a GREAT job. They do NOT look like they were added-on. They not only fit the wheel/tire combo perfectly but also the bodywork both inside & outside shows no signs of them being added.
You can notice the that the "CenterLine wheels" (10" x 15") have a LOT of backspacing..... 7 inches" to be exact! I have never seen rear wheels with so much backspacing. They need to be!!!! The rear leaf springs are still in the stock mounting position which limits the how far the rear wheels/tires can fit under the car without making contact with the leaf springs.
For NOW.... this setup is just fine. Like the old saying.... "if it ain't BROKE don't FIX-IT"!!!!!
Eventually I plan to make a new rear sub frame and either move the springs "in-board" or to eliminate the leaf springs & convert to a coil-over setup which will allow me to use a more "standard type wheel" (with more common back spacing) and of course larger tires.
Currently the drag slicks are 10" which look OK....... the Mickey Thompson drag radials for the street are almost 9" wide & are NOT as tall so they will have to do for now.
I would like to have around 12" tires on the rear someday ...... the "SOMEDAY-list" gets LONGER EVERYDAY!!!!! HA!!!!!
2
With all of the "cooling issues" I am currently working my way through I am looking to do every major & minor improvement than I can think of.
I just ordered a 16" to replace the current 12" fan that is "NOT getting the job done". Part of the problem is the lack of venting the engine compartment and also the hood scoop (installed by the previous owner) is just on the hood "for looks".
I have drilled vent holes in the inner fenders under the scoop to get more air flowing into the engine compartment.
The hood scoop has a "very" low profile. I want to replace it with a "taller scoop" to "catch" more air to move into the engine compartment.
I have a scoop laying around collecting dust that is modeled after a Hemi Dart scoop. It has a VERY LARGE opening in the front which would be GREAT for catching lots of air to help "vent" the engine compartment.
I think it looks a little TOO WIDE for the Opel's hood...... so I plan to section & narrow it.
What do you guys think????
![]()
Here's one of the Opel station wagon pics I found on the Internet (there are NOT many) As you can see the engine is also setback like our Opel (see the engine cover protruding into the interior). The car also has a TALL scoop to maximize air flow into the engine compartment.
![]()
I just ordered a 16" to replace the current 12" fan that is "NOT getting the job done". Part of the problem is the lack of venting the engine compartment and also the hood scoop (installed by the previous owner) is just on the hood "for looks".
I have drilled vent holes in the inner fenders under the scoop to get more air flowing into the engine compartment.
The hood scoop has a "very" low profile. I want to replace it with a "taller scoop" to "catch" more air to move into the engine compartment.
I have a scoop laying around collecting dust that is modeled after a Hemi Dart scoop. It has a VERY LARGE opening in the front which would be GREAT for catching lots of air to help "vent" the engine compartment.
I think it looks a little TOO WIDE for the Opel's hood...... so I plan to section & narrow it.
What do you guys think????
Here's one of the Opel station wagon pics I found on the Internet (there are NOT many) As you can see the engine is also setback like our Opel (see the engine cover protruding into the interior). The car also has a TALL scoop to maximize air flow into the engine compartment.
Thanks for the tips..... I am going to do as "cooling tricks" as I can to get the car to run cooler. I'm sure replacing that 12" fan with a 16 incher will be a BIG help.
Yes I remember how guys used to "prop" the back of the hood to let head escape. It was a good old "hot rod trick" plus it looked "cool".
![]()
Nice 409....."she's sooooo fine"...... It's got the "RIGHT LOOK"!!!!
Check out the tow bar brackets. Another "old school cool" look that I see more & more hot rodders adding to their cars. The growth of interest in gassers and period correct drag cars is amazing.
A sign of this growth is straight axle kits from Speedway are STILL on back order.
Yes I remember how guys used to "prop" the back of the hood to let head escape. It was a good old "hot rod trick" plus it looked "cool".
Nice 409....."she's sooooo fine"...... It's got the "RIGHT LOOK"!!!!
Check out the tow bar brackets. Another "old school cool" look that I see more & more hot rodders adding to their cars. The growth of interest in gassers and period correct drag cars is amazing.
A sign of this growth is straight axle kits from Speedway are STILL on back order.
1 - 20 of 169 Posts
