Opel Kadett GT/E (1975 – 1979) Review

The Opel Kadett GT/E was launched in August 1975. It was based on the 1.2S Coupe, but was powered by a 1.9-litre cam-in-head engine, as used in the Rekord. Transmission was four-speed as standard, but a five-speed was offered as an option - but most importantly, the GT/E was blessed with 105bhp helped in no small part by the use of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injection - as shared with the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

In 1978, that power unit was expanded to 1979cc - as with the Opel Manta GT/E - and was uprated to 115bhp. Under the stylish skin and bold colours, it was almost standard Kadett, although late models received vertically mounted telescopic gas filled Bilstein shock-absorbers. Roadholding was predictably excellent, given the standard car's overall competence, and performance was truly excellent, with a 0-60mph time of 9.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 110mph. Desirable when new, and still highly sought-after today, more so in its home country than in the UK, though.