Varta supplied the four nickel cadmium batteries installed alongside and behind the driver. With their 280 cells, the batteries added 590 kg to the 960 kg of the production GT, thus bringing the total weight to 1,550 kg, roughly equivalent to an Opel Diplomat B.
To beat the long-distance record, three hundred and sixty cells were needed, which would have increased the weight by as much as 740 kg. Stopping the scale at 1,700kg, the GT weighed like a short wheelbase Opel Blitz van. The additional weight required stiffer shock absorbers as well Continental developed special tires high pressure which minimized rolling friction.
Among the changes to the bodywork stood out the closing all the air intakes in the front, a “flat” hood without the characteristic bulge of the production GT for the carburetor, theelimination of bumpers, mirrors and door handles and the total elimination of any unnecessary parts of the engine compartment and passenger compartment.
Sufficient space for the driver: aircraft batteries fill the passenger compartment
An electronic management system occupied the bonnet and, unique for a GT, one had been mounted on the rear of the car large spoiler. The rear lights had been removed and the remaining holes had simply been covered. A heat exchanger replaced the exhaust muffler.
A traditional car battery, which supplied electricity to the electronics, was positioned at the front of the engine compartment, where the electric motors had replaced the gasoline one. The batteries (usually used on aircraft), mounted on special grids, took up all the space next to and behind the driver, leaving just enough space to sit on the seat.