Because its own capacities are at full capacity, Opel commissions the Italian body manufacturer Fissore to produce an open GT. She specializes in building prototypes. The Aero GT was created in a very short time in Savigliano, Italy – with a targa bar and a black painted rear, in brick red with black Aero GT stripes, as they would later be used again on the GT/J.
Once removed, the black plastic roof can be stored behind the seats. The “luggage compartment” is even smaller than in the standard GT. The more massive C-pillar is decorated with four gills. Opel supplies the wind deflector in the form of an electrically operated window. The Aero GT is usually photographed with Heidi Schmidt as the model, who later became the wife of sales manager Bob Lutz. At the trade fair premiere there was apparently spontaneous interest in the Aero. A brochure with technical data gives hope: “Today an experimental model, tomorrow a series car?”
The Targa version of the GT is designed by Erhard Schnell under chief designer Charles M. Jordan.
At the IAA 1969 in Frankfurt, the orange Aero GT was the eye-catcher on the Opel stand.
The prototype on display is being realized by the Italian Carrozzeria Fissore.
The model in the Aero GT is Heidi Schmidt, the future wife of sales manager Bob Lutz.
A look into the cockpit: leather seats and a clearly arranged instrument panel.
“Today an experimental model, tomorrow a series car?”
– Question from the Aero GT brochure –
Opel wants to score points with the Aero GT at all important European trade fairs. But because GM’s sister brand Buick has the same plans for the sports car in the USA, a second Aero has to be manufactured. This time Giovanni Michelotti gets the contract and produces an almost identical Aero, but this time in Monza blue metallic. After the two prototypes, Opel stopped the plans for the Aero GT. Reason: The production costs would be too high, the demand would be too low, the criticism for the even smaller storage space would be too loud, and the competition from the Porsche 914 is now too great. The Opel board of directors has no illusions about this. The Aero remains a dream.
After two prototypes it’s over
Today both unique pieces are in the Opel Classic workshop in Rüsselsheim, on permanent loan from two Opel pensioners: Hans Ohl was able to buy the Fissore prototype from the Opel Design inventory in 1972. At a price of 7,000 marks. At this time, Ohl was head of the “Quality Promotion and Inspection” department and the Aero was a gift for his wife. In 1972 the Aero was actually approved for road use, and in 1985 it received a new rear end and a different color after a rear-end collision. Since spring 1999, Fissore’s one-of-a-kind car has been back in Opel’s Classic Garage, where it was repainted in its original color in 2007. None other than George Gallion is the proud owner of Michelotti’s Monza blue Aero GT, which he bought from Opel General Director Alex A. Cunningham in 1973 as deputy head of design and superior to Erhard Schnell. When he came to Opel Design in 1969, working on the Aero was his first project.
For the American market: Giovanni Michelotti is awarded the contract to produce a second unique model in Monza blue.
The Aero remains a dream: After the two prototypes, Opel stopped the plans because the production costs would be too high.
October 2024
Text from Opel Love, author Harald Hamprecht, published by Delius Klasing; Photos: Opel archive