EXHIBIT 5.1


Robert J. Siverd
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Telephone: (859) 572-8000
Facsimile: (859) 572-8444

May 24, 2005

General Cable Corporation
4 Tesseneer Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41076

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

     I am Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of General
Cable Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and have acted as
counsel to the Company in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") of up to 1,800,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01
par value per share ("Common Stock"), issuable under the General Cable
Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     As counsel for the Company, I have made such legal and factual
examinations and inquiries as I deemed advisable for the purpose of
rendering this opinion.  In addition, I have examined such documents and
materials, including the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, and other corporate records
of the Company as I have deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of
this opinion.

     On the basis of the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the 1,800,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company which are being offered by the Company
pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Plan, when issued as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Plan, will be legally
issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.

     This opinion is given as of the date hereof.  I assume no obligation to
update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances
which may hereafter come to my attention or any changes in laws which may
hereafter occur.  This opinion is strictly limited to the matters stated
herein and no other or more extensive opinion is intended, implied or to be
inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as part of the above-
referenced Registration Statement and amendments thereto.


                                            Very truly yours,


                                            /s/ Robert J. Siverd
                                            --------------------
                                            Robert J. Siverd