RE: SOTW: Opel Manta

[DjSki]

Shropshiremike said:

DjSki said:

No issue with the 400's but the road car was poor.

Based on an old platform they did at least offer a bit of rwd fun

Edited by Shropshiremike on Sunday 23 November 21:29

Agreed.

[DjSki]

dern said:

DjSki said:

Athlon said:

I don't think so, they were known as great handling from almost day one, they were a bit underpowered but far from a joke, and lets remember just how good they were in the British rally championship, don't forget the '83 Manx when the 400's destroyed the Quattro's.

No issue with the 400's but the road car was poor.

Lots of people had a lot of fun in them. Does anything else matter?

Sorry, was this a "I've had fun in a Manta" thread? I've had some fun in a Fiat 126 but that doesn't make it a good car. I've also had some "fun" as a young lad in my dad's shed, but it was a crap shed.........

Edited by DjSki on Sunday 23 November 23:20

[Shropshiremike]

clani200 said:

@ Shropshiremike.

Yup A99 JUE was the first registered i200 in UK Jan 6TH 1984 and converted by Steve Thomson Cars. A99 JUE was used on Irmscher Brochure re ST Sport ect.
Many moons ago the car was under restoration in an around 96.

rab.

I guess no-one knows what happened to it Rab? I'm not in the club any longer

[interloper]

What in your mind made the Manta a poor road car?

The rear wheel drive competition back in the late seventies/ early eighties was either a lot more expensive and sophisticated (BMW E21, Alfa GTV/GTV6) or even more antiquated (Capri, rubber bumper MGB etc).

For the money the Manta had a pretty decent chassis, great steering and a slightly awkward driving position! To be fair the Manta would probably struggle to keep up with some of the newer breed of hot hatch but out right pace isn't everything. It was a good affordable entry into RWD motoring.

[garymanc]

still smiling,every time i go for a drive

mantadave said:

Thanks so much for posting my car dominic todays cars are nothing like the old ones they have no style there not fun to drive unless you spend about 30.000 i no cos i sell them a manta with a red top is all you need to bring a smile to ya face the amount of people who sill love mantas is incredible ? iam waiting for the day when opel bring the new one out just hope its not fwd

[dern]

DjSki said:

dern said:

DjSki said:

Athlon said:

I don't think so, they were known as great handling from almost day one, they were a bit underpowered but far from a joke, and lets remember just how good they were in the British rally championship, don't forget the '83 Manx when the 400's destroyed the Quattro's.

No issue with the 400's but the road car was poor.

Lots of people had a lot of fun in them. Does anything else matter?

Sorry, was this a "I've had fun in a Manta" thread? I've had some fun in a Fiat 126 but that doesn't make it a good car. I've also had some "fun" as a young lad in my dad's shed, but it was a crap shed.........

I don't really understand your criteria for having a road car. Mine is to buy cars that are fun and if required practical. The manta was both. If you think it's best forgotten then forget it, if want everyone else to forget it then why?

[Shropshiremike]

garymanc said:

still smiling,every time i go for a drive

Would have loved one of those engines in mine

[Mr POD]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's a 1.6 GL Cavalier I think. GL wheel trims definately. God I'd love one of those again. Mine was red. First GROWN up car.

[Shropshiremike]

Mr POD said:

That's a 1.6 GL Cavalier I think. GL wheel trims definately. God I'd love one of those again. Mine was red. First GROWN up car.

You're right - it was a company car.Glacier White

[defblade]

Dunk76 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

So you'll have known Andy Turner, Sean Hovell, Pete Narancic, Dave Peace, et al?

Got my first Manta in 1993ish, was a member for a few years. I sorted out the OMOC's invites to the CCC action days for the first couple of years they ran it. Pete Narancic came 2nd overall in the Converted Car of the Year with his turbo'd car (beat a cosworthed Crapi, lost to a Moggie with a V8 in!) the first year.

Here's a picture of a photo of me in my exclusive coupe at Camp:






And just to add - The Manta GTE Exclusive Coupe - a car so gorgeous, even the cat wants to polish it!

[skypeller]

absolutely fantastic cars, i only dream of being able to justify buying a minter in this credit crisis, but its such a shame they stopped making them i think, true car enthusiasts should understand these, others need not apply.

it just fealt like so much more than it was, i still turn my head and bullet pace if i see one of these on the road today, and appeals to me much more than most cars even of the exotic type.

fealt quick enough, soooo much fun, sold mine 2 years ago and biggest mistake ive ever made, period.

my old chap had one for 10years and could not find anything to better it, hes now got a 328i e26 coupe which comes close, ok its faster and safer handling, but would i buy it over a manta gte? would i feck!!!

my memberships runs out from the omoc, but its time i searched hard for a good gt/e and finally got a smile back on my face after seeing and driving too much modern garbage,.

anybody in shropshire/herefordshire selling a manta? let me know asap

[e-mail]

thanks

[Shropshiremike]

defblade said:

Here's a picture of a photo of me in my exclusive coupe at Camp:

And just to add - The Manta GTE Exclusive Coupe - a car so gorgeous, even the cat wants to polish it!

I thought that was the sun on the Combe pic.... until I saw there were 2 on the second shot!

@ the detailing cat!

[SwanJack]

When I was growing up a guy in my steet had a white 'Irmscher' Manta. Even then there were jealous two-hats around as it got paint remover poured over it

[MikePCG]

OK you guys, take a look at this movie trailer:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wgzkLvShN5M&eurl...

Haven't managed to see the film myself, but hey a Manta Movie!

[Shropshiremike]

Anyone remember the Stars n' Stripes Manta in Thundersaloons? Remember watching it race against the big V8 Carlton at Oulton Park

[dominicf]

I had a 1986 C241KDT 2 LITRE MANTA GTE coupe in red with Steel Sunroof, ran it from 88-92, I remember once losing it on a corner near Worksop and did 3 360's down the road with my girlfriend of the time sat next to me! Once I stopped she just turned and calmly said'You won't do that again' we never spoke about the incident again.
What a fab car, living in Derbyshire I use to have half the county in the boot over the rear axle in winter and the manta get away on the hills around Chesterfield.
Like others mine was stolen, whiilst living in Leeds, but they caught the tealeaf 50 yds down the road, he couldn't get the crook lock off and gravity had taken the Manta into a garden wall I wanted to take the tealeaf into next week but West Yorkshires' finest restrained me. He went up in front of the judge pleading his defence of he had a fetish for Opels with 126 offences charged against him and he got off because plod cocked up paperwork!

[Dunk76]

MikePCG said:

OK you guys, take a look at this movie trailer:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wgzkLvShN5M&eurl...

Haven't managed to see the film myself, but hey a Manta Movie!

Christ almighty, that looks like the tackiest thing I've ever witnessed - and I've worked with Bavarians, so trust me, I've seen tacky stuff in my life.

[stumbledrunk]

Whiters said:

jeremyc said:

Buy it and dream ...

I'm guessing by the round face (and possibly by the 'Heat for Hire' logo'd Manta) that it's the legendary Russel Brookes at the wheel. I got sprayed with mud during a fairly large oversteer moment from him on the Lombard in '88 or '89, driving a Sierra Cossie IIRC.

Sorry, OT. Mine would be a late model Exclusive or a cocaine white GTE

I was mates with Russel's son Rob. Had some proper good sideways moments in his Healey Sprite. Remember watching the Manta going beatifully through Worcester on the way to a stage of the Lombard. Must have been about '85/6. Sounded good too.

[Shropshiremike]

stumbledrunk said:

I was mates with Russel's son Rob. Had some proper good sideways moments in his Healey Sprite. Remember watching the Manta going beatifully through Worcester on the way to a stage of the Lombard. Must have been about '85/6. Sounded good too.

A friend of mine helped Russell with his book - had some good Manta moments with the late Bertie Fisher as well

[clani200]

Nae been here fur awe while, but still got ma i200. Still looks good even in awe puddle this yeardoon Billing way.



Not many Mantas going aroond now sadly and getting less every year.

Edited by clani200 on Friday 27th July 02:04