The Opel Manta was a rear-wheel-drive sports coupé motor vehicle built by Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, from 1970 to 1988.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. Usually equipped with 1.6 - 1.9 litre CIH engines, from October 1974 there was also a turbocharged version for the United Kingdom (UK) market. Unusually for the UK, the car was sold as an Opel rather than having a Vauxhall-branded equivalent. For a time, the Manta was offered as a captive import in the United States market.1975-1988: Opel Manta B
Opel Manta B1
Production:
1975–1981
Opel Manta B2
Production:
1982–1988
Engine:
1.8L Auto 90 SAE HP2.0L 110 SAE HP
Transmission:
3-speed automatic optional5-speed Getrag Sports Gearbox
Wheelbase:
99.1 in (2517.14 mm)
Length:
175.0 in (4445 mm)
Width:
66.4 in (1686.56 mm)
Height:
52.8 in (1341.12 mm)
Curb weight:
2347.9 lb (1065 kg)
Fuel capacity:
50 litres
A new Manta was launched in 1975. This two-door "three-box" car was based directly on the then new, redesigned Opel Ascona mechanically, but the overall design has been said to be 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 bodyshell.
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 were produced with a facelift from 1982. This included a plastic front spoiler, sideskirts for the GT/E and GSi models and a small wing at the rear + quadruple airintakes on the grill.
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 (and Vauxhall Calibra in the UK).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 glass-fibre body panels and special wheels.
Opel Manta B1
Production:
1975–1981
Opel Manta B2
Production:
1982–1988
Engine:
1.8L Auto 90 SAE HP2.0L 110 SAE HP
Transmission:
3-speed automatic optional5-speed Getrag Sports Gearbox
Wheelbase:
99.1 in (2517.14 mm)
Length:
175.0 in (4445 mm)
Width:
66.4 in (1686.56 mm)
Height:
52.8 in (1341.12 mm)
Curb weight:
2347.9 lb (1065 kg)
Fuel capacity:
50 litres
A new Manta was launched in 1975. This two-door "three-box" car was based directly on the then new, redesigned Opel Ascona mechanically, but the overall design has been said to be 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 bodyshell.
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 were produced with a facelift from 1982. This included a plastic front spoiler, sideskirts for the GT/E and GSi models and a small wing at the rear + quadruple airintakes on the grill.
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 (and Vauxhall Calibra in the UK).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 glass-fibre body panels and special wheels.
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