Opel

Originally unveiled as a concept in 1965, the Opel GT entered production in 1968 as Opel's first true sports car. Combining dramatic fastback styling with proven Kadett B mechanicals, it was built by Brissonneau & Lotz in France and quickly became known as the "mini Corvette" because of its sleek lines. Buyers could choose between a 1.1-litre engine or the far more popular 1.9-litre four-cylinder, while the distinctive manually rotating pop-up headlights became the GT's trademark. A simplified GT/J version followed in 1971, offering the same sporty appearance at a lower price. With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, balanced handling and striking design, the GT became one of Opel's most iconic models. Production ended in 1973 after 103,463 units had been built, although the GT name would later return on a modern roadster introduced in 2007.