Some of the more interesting cars at any car show are often tucked away in the parking lot. This late sixties early seventies vintage Opel Kadett was spied by our man in the field Dave Wallace at the Kulture Shock car show in Lake County, California. The show was open only to traditional pre-64 hot rods and customs, which evidently relegated this Kadett to the spectator grass. Keen eyes will notice a side exit exhaust on both sides, a hood full of louvers, and a strategically placed naca-style hood scoop. All this together with the V8 emblem on the rear lid are good clues that this Kadett is probably packing a few more cylinders than stock. Possibly four more. Compact rear-drive sub-2000 pound coupes and hatchbacks with more horsepower than people should be allowed to have is exactly what we’re working towards around here. Project? 1967-72 Opel Kadett B plus Ecotec turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission from a Pontiac Solstice FTW!
That’s amazing!
Actually, they hang a 6-speed off of the turbo ecotecs.
But yeah, that ecotec swap seems like it’d be the bee’s knees for a number of classic compacts. Personally I lean towards an Opel GT. Mini-vette for the win!
Mea culpa! I stand corrected. I am of the mind that six speeds have one too many cogs though.
Ah, but what of the Lexus IS-F’s 8 speed auto? It’s got 3 overdrives!
I’m a fan of 6-speeds when they come with a supercruise gear. Usually something like .50:1 for 6th for the long freeway jaunts.
Of course, one could go old-school with a Gear Vendors overdrive and a 3-speed auto. That’s my plan for my station wagon.
Neat car. How about a GN 3.8 in there?
V8 Opel! Terror!
Only slightly off-topic: Short of using a complete donor car for needed parts, how would one go about using an Ecotec and 6-speed in an older car? Any aftermarket wiring harnesses, engine electronics, adaptors etc. being made out there? A hypothetical application: bullding a t-bucket with a fresh Ecotec “crate motor” and requisite trans… follow me? I’ve been looking for just such info and haven’t found much out there yet.
@ obfuscator: GM performance parts used to sell an ecotec crate motor. I believe it’s been discontinued.
…and I also realized I’m wrong about the 6-speed. It’s a 5-speed shared with the Colorado/Canyon/Hummer H3. (which could be a source for ya).
OK five-speed it is then. Do I hear seven speed? One route for powertrain replacement is to get a “half cut” from a wreck or used engine outlet.