Opel Manta

1970-1975: Opel Manta A

The Manta A was released in 1970, based on the Opel Ascona of the time, as a competitor to the Ford Capri. It was a two-door "three-box" coupé, and featured distinctive round tail lights, quite similar to the Opel GT and in fact were used on the GT in 1973, its final model year. Unusually for the UK, the car was sold as an Opel rather than having a Vauxhall-branded equivalent.

The sales approach for the Opel line in the U.S. Market was equally odd. The Manta A was one of only a few Opel models sold in the U.S. Market. Opels were imported by GM and sold through Buick dealerships and not their own dealership network, so they were limited in what makes and models they could sell here. Other Opel makes sold in the U.S. market were the 1956-1961 the Rekord P1 and Rekord P2, the Kadett A (64-66), Kadett B (67-71), GT (69-73), Manta/Ascona A (71-75). The Ascona A, was the sedan version of the Manta A chassis and was sold in the U.S. under the 1900 name as a 2 door & 4 door sedan and 2 door "Sport Wagon". The only difference between the Ascona and Manta was exterior sheet metal, glass and trim. The frame, all the mechanicals, dash, front seats, and many other parts were shared between the cars. The Manta was even sold in 1971 and 1972, as the 1900 Sport Coupe, not the Manta. In 1973 the Manta nameplate was added to the U.S. Spec Mantas, but the Asconas kept the 1900 badge throughout their model life. The last year GM imported European made Opels into the United States, under their marquee, was 1975. In that year the only Opels imported were the Manta & Ascona A.

The Manta was normally equipped with a 1.6-1.9 litre CIH engines, although in Europe a small 1.2 liter motor was offered. All Mantas sold in the U.S. had the 1.9L and larger heavy duty radiator (an option on European models). It came with either a 4 speed manual or an optional 3-speed TH-180 automatic. The Manta was known to be one of the best handling cars in its class and went on to win a large number of rallies in Europe and the United States. In the U.S. Market, there was a sport model known as the Rallye from 1971-74. The “Rallye” model was overall an appearance and gauge package, the most noticeable difference was the addition of a Black Hood and on 1970-73 models addition of fog lamps. Mechanically the only difference was the gear ratio in the models with manual transmissions. In 1973 and 1974 there was also the “Luxus” model which included “refinements” like corduroy seats, colour coded interiors (blue or burgundy), and faux wood panelling. The only special edition Manta ever produced for the U.S. Market was the “Blue Max” in 1973, this amounted to a blue 1973 Luxus model, with a unique dark blue vinyl roof, mechanical sunroof, & automatic transmission. Although the brochure claims “special” badges.. no pictures (including those on the brochure) of a “Blue Max” with its badging are known to exist.

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Opel Manta A

In 1975, All Manta & 1900 models were equipped with the Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection in the United States due to emission regulations. Yet in Europe this feature was only available on the high end GT/E Models, which also sported fog lamps and a lower front spoiler, which was not offered on any of the U.S. Spec Manta models. Also of note is that the 1974-75 Opel Manta Models sported large aluminium 5-mph bumpers to comply with U.S. crash standards of the time, the European Mantas did not receive the large bumpers.

The European market had a number of different versions of their own. Most were basic trim packages, the most popular being the “Berlinetta”, which was similar to the “Luxus” but included rubber trim on the bumpers (standard on all 1973 U.S. Opel Mantas), vinyl roof, and other misc. features. The one major exception being in 1975 Opel offered the GT/E and a number of special editions based on the GT/E. The GT/E was a fuel injected version of the European 1.9L and the performance figures were very impressive for the time. Most notable special editions models based on the GT/E were the “Black Magic” (with black & plaid interior), and the “Swinger” edition in white with an equally odd interior choice.

There were also two special edition sport models that were sold through Opel dealerships. The D.O.T. (Dealer Opel Team) edition turbocharged Opel Manta went into production in October 1974 for the United Kingdom (UK) market, of only 18 were built all right hand drive. An even rarer variant is the TE2800 built in Belgium which sported a 2.8L CIH Inline 6 cylinder motor, larger brakes, Recaro seats among other features, approximately 24 were made.

1975-1988: Opel Manta B

The second car to use the Manta name was launched in 1975. This two-door "three-box" car was mechanically based directly on the then new, redesigned Opel Ascona, but the overall design was influenced by the 1975 Chevrolet Monza. The Manta had more "sporty" styling, including a droop-snoot nose not seen on the Ascona, although it was standard on the UK version of the Ascona, the Vauxhall Cavalier. There was still no "Vauxhall Manta", with the car remaining an Opel in the UK. However, a Vauxhall Cavalier was available with the same coupé body shell.

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Opel Manta B1

In 1977, a three-door hatchback version appeared to complement the existing two-door booted car. This shape was also not unique, being available on a lower-performance Vauxhall Cavalier variant.

Both Manta versions received a facelift in 1982, which included a plastic front spoiler, side skirts for the GT/E and GSi models, a small wing at the rear and quadruple air intakes on the grille.

Production of the Manta continued well after the equivalent Ascona and Cavalier were replaced by a front wheel drive model "Ascona C". It finally ceased in 1988, when the last of the line "Exclusive" model was produced. The car was later succeeded by the Opel Calibra (known as the "Vauxhall Calibra" in the UK).

Today, these cars are hard to find in an original, good condition; consequently the value has risen considerably over the last few years. It has again become popular, because of its good looks and well-respected handling.

Rally versions

From 1979 until 1983 Opel offered special "homologation" rally versions of Manta, the Group B Manta 400. This model was produced in very small numbers in a variety of special Rally specifications. This variant used the two-door body for its strength and was fitted with a 16 valve 2410cc engine supplied by Cosworth, coupled to a five-speed gearbox. For lightness Manta rally cars came with Kevlar body panels and special wheels fabricated by Ronal.

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1985 Opel Manta 400

Convertible versions

GM, from 1978 until 1979 offered the Cavalier Coupe in convertible format called the Centaur. Only 118 of these where made and less than 30 are believed to survive today (2007). About a quarter of these conversions used Manta Coupes. The cars were developed by Magraw Engineering and sold through Vauxhall dealerships on behalf of Crayford.

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