Because its own capacities are at full capacity, Opel commissions the Italian body manufacturer Fissore to produce an open GT. The company specialises 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 on the standard GT. The more prominent 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, who later became the wife of sales manager Bob Lutz, as the model. At the trade fair premiere there were apparently spontaneous interested parties for the Aero. A brochure with technical data gives hope: “Today an experimental model, tomorrow a series car?”

“Today an experimental model, tomorrow a series car?“

– Question from the Aero GT brochure –

Opel wants to impress people with the Aero GT at all important European trade fairs. But because GM 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. 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.

Dream over after two prototypes

Today both unique vehicles 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 – for 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 approved for road use, and in 1985 it received a new rear end and a different colour after a rear-end collision. Since spring 1999, Fissore’s unique car has been back in Opel’s Classic garage, where it was repainted in its original colour 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.