Left Martin Kast, 2nd from left Laurin Decker, center Marie van Bonn, 2nd from right Bernd Callsen, right Louis van Steen
Interview
Mail: | |
Country: | Germany |
Club: | Supporting member |
Since when do I drive GT: | After attending the 2015 European meeting in Bleckede, I bought my GT in late summer 2015 through Olaf Moldzen. After a 2-year "construction phase", the GT has been back on the road since August 2017 and is "experiencing" Europe. |
Faszcination GT: | ...that! Is driving ;-) timeless automotive design icon with the greatest sympathy factor. Many great memories with a friend's red GT in the early 1980s. In the relatively short "active" time, we got to know great people worldwide through the GT....priceless!!! |
Describe the umbrella organization: | Important international representation of the European Opel GT scene to communicate and promote a unique community of car enthusiasts. |
Task in the umbrella organization : | Member of the board team (1st chairman) |
Future umbrella organization / GT: | To continue to represent the interests of the members in the classic car scene, the public and towards the OPEL brand in such a positive way. However, I consider it a great challenge to inspire and involve future generations in this unique cultural asset, so that our hobby will continue to exist for a long time to come. |
Mail: |
|
Land: | Netherlands
|
Club: | Opel GT Club Nederland
|
Since when do I drive GT: | I have been enthusiastic about the GT since 1984, when I discovered the book 'Nur Fliegen ist schöner' (Only flying is more beautiful) by chance in a bookshop. The model has inspired me ever since. That's when I started collecting everything about the GT and never stopped (models, brochures, books, reports, etc.). In 1985 I became a supporting member of the Dutch GT Club and since then I have attended many meetings in the Netherlands and abroad. I have owned my first GT since 1988. In 1995, during my first trip to the US, I bought and imported my other GT's locally. I have been driving the first US GT since 1998, the others are being restored.
|
Fascination GT: | I have always had a great interest in the 'underdogs' of the car world. In the 80s, the GT was completely unknown to the general public. That a brand like Opel produced such a unique car back then! I still get excited when I see one or more GTs, there's always something new to discover - what the owner has done with it or what was original to the GT that I've never seen before.
|
Describe the umbrella organization: | An international organization to represent interests, build contacts and revitalize the classic Opel GT.
|
Task in the umbrella organization : | 2nd Chairman. Representing the umbrella organization throughout Europe in good cooperation with Bernd Callsen.
|
Future umbrella organization / GT: | To continue to unite and represent the (European) GT owners/clubs. To bring the GT further 'into the eye' of the general public, to maintain contacts with Opel and the Opel GT parts dealers. To continue the work of our predecessors in the umbrella organization and to hand it over to our successors in the future. "Together we can go further." |
Mail: | Laurin@opelgt-dv.org | |
Country: |
| |
Club: | GT IG Bergstrasse e.V. | |
Since when do I drive GT: | First European meeting in 2011, co-driver since 2012 and drove GT for the first time at the age of 17 (2015) | |
Fascination GT: | My interest in the GT was sparked by the fact that I grew up with the car as a teenager. Since then, I've been able to experience many wonderful moments and meet lots of nice people, and my fascination for the GT and the scene has remained to this day. | |
Describe the umbrella organization: | Representing the interests of GT clubs and supporting members in order to jointly shape an active scene and represent the GT outside the scene. | |
ATask in the umbrella organization : | Treasurer | |
Future umbrella organization / GT: | To strengthen the community of European GT clubs, promote the European idea and try to attract new, also young members to the umbrella organization/clubs. |
Mail: |
|
Country: | Switzerland
|
Club: | Opel GT Club Schweiz
|
Since when do I drive GT: | I've enjoyed sitting in my own GT since 2009, and was at the European meeting in Sevenum (NL) in 2012, where I first came into contact with the Swiss club. |
Fascination GT: | As a child, I marveled at my neighbor's GT and imagined owning an Opel GT myself one day. In 1998, I had already test-driven the car of a good colleague, but with a heavy heart I postponed the purchase when we had a baby... . By chance, in 2009 I was in conversation with a garage owner who was retiring and wanted to give his GT into new hands |
Describe the umbrella organization: | Promoting the vehicles, which have become a cultural asset in the meantime, on a European level and maintaining the good network of Opel GT drivers. |
Task in the umbrella organization : | Member of the board Official title: Secretary |
Future umbrella organization / GT: | Together with my colleagues in the umbrella organization, I would like to shape the coming years for the benefit of all members and actively support the exchange between clubs and supporting members for the future of GTs on European roads. |
Mail: |
|
Land: |
|
Club: |
|
Since when do I drive GT: |
|
Fascination GT: |
|
Describe the umbrella organization: |
|
Task in the umbrella organization : |
|
Future umbrella organization / GT: | Due to the ever-increasing number of members, it is very important to unite through the umbrella organization. The aim is to involve the younger GT drivers and help shape the future. Due to the diverse team from 3 countries and the wide age range, it is important that as many opinions and interests as possible are reflected and that the focus is also directed towards the younger GT drivers in order to shape the future of the scene together. |