Classic Opel Forum NZ

My neighbour has just finished his 1968 Holden Monaro. Last Sunday we took it out for a drive with our car club. I made sure to park my 1968 Opel Commodore next to the Monaro. As you can see there are striking similarities between the two GM cars [certainly from a distance]. I guess the biggest difference is the big V8 in the Monaro's favour. On the other hand I believe the lines of the Commodore to be more refined. They are both nice classics though!

Great pics, Cees. Your Commodore looks in lovely condition too. Thanks for that.

I parked my former Rekord next to a Monaro HT a few years back at a car event, and the owner seemed quite put out that an "inferior European Opel" looked so similar to his prized HT! Made me laugh! Was tempted to point out that the Opel was likely designed earlier and would be where Holden got the idea, but was not 100% sure on those details.

You were most likely right Neville because look at the very first Monaro concept car. You can clearly see the coca cola bottle shaped rear like the Commodore/Rekord coupe has. Holden dropped that design feature in its production cars and they went for a planer rear section. I believe the coca cola bottle shape is nicer as it typifies the sixties.

Car looks great Cees, & certainly a family resemblance there. GM moved their stylists around the world, so there was a strong sharing of themes & styling cues. Interesting that HK had the coke-bottle hip on their sedan range, which was dropped in the HT in the lower spec cars.

Even the Vivas HB and the FD series Victors in the Vauxhall range shared that shape,its a body shape i really like,heres my Ventora.

Phil, I never noticed the difference between the hk and ht sedans. Interesting that originally the sedan had the coca cola bottle shape.

Lindsay, I understand that the Ventora shared the same chassis with the opel commodore.

Cees

Thanks for that, i wasnt aware just shows you talking too others.