1976 Opel KADETTC GT/E GR. 4 « CONRERO »

Lot 29
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Estimation :
50000 - 70000 EUR
1976 Opel KADETTC GT/E GR. 4 « CONRERO »
Rare Conrero Crossflow cylinder head Eligible for the Historic Tour de Corse First class performance French registration Chassis n° : 3275080636 CT of 08/03/21 unfavourable requiring a counter visit W hen you talk about rallying and the 70's, Opel is not necessarily one of the most mentioned manufacturers. However, when a certain Jean-Louis Clarr is mentioned, it is difficult not to mention all his successes at the wheel of the Opel Kadett GTE. This is how he inherited the nickname "Mister GT/E" with multiple victories in the scratch race and a second place overall in the 1978 Tour de France Automobile. The Opel Kadett C GT/E that we present in these pages receives a Gr. 4 preparation with its BP livery reminding the Kadett driven by Jean-Louis Clarr at the end of the 70s. It is equipped with an original Opel 1.9l 8 valves engine with a rare Conrero Crossflow cylinder head, developing 220 hp. This engine is mated to a 5 speed ZF gearbox with a long first gear and a reinforced clutch. Rebuilt from one of the three examples apparently built by Virgil Conrero, it is in conformity with the period configurations and its homologation form. We owe this work to its former owner, the rally driver Gérard Bley who had already distinguished himself in 1982 at the wheel of a Kadett GT/E by finishing 21st in the 1,000 track rally. He bought this Kadett GT/E in 2003 and had it prepared to enter VHC rallies the following year. Between 2004 and 2007, he took part in several historic rallies and won three times overall. The first was at the Rallye du Haut-Pays Niçois, then at the Rallye National du Soleil and finally at the Rallye Grasse Fleurs et Parfums. The preparation of the car was entrusted to the engine manufacturer Duquenne Moteurs who specified that two versions of fuel supply were available, either via 2 Weber carburettors or via 2 butterflies with Kugelfisher injection, the one fitted to our example. The oil pan is made of aluminium, the disc brakes are ventilated and the tyres are mounted on real ATS rims (a second set is supplied with the car). The engine was a real racing beast, delivering all its power up to 8,000 rpm, and according to Duquenne Moteurs, only 3 examples were made! Today owned by a well-informed collector, this Opel Kadett C GT/E bears the marks of its past rally participations but looks good. During our test drive, we could see that the famous "Conrero" had indeed some energy to spare... The 220 hp seem to be there! Its historical technical passport (H1 period - GTS 26 class) needs to be renewed, and the safety elements will have to be brought into conformity. A revision will be done before the sale, but more preparation work will have to be considered before taking the roads of the Corsica Rally for which it is eligible and where it can easily claim to win.
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