RE: SOTW: Opel Manta

[Trackside]

I had a red GTE hatch when I was 20 (many moons ago ) and loved it. Seem to remember it had a loose centre exhaust box that used to ground out at speed if we hit any undulations on the road, sending out an impressive array of sparks! I also recall having a 'spirited drive' back from Snetterton in about '92 against a fairly new Celica GT that involved plenty of late braking into roundabouts and slithering out of them! Great fun. Still have a soft spot for them now.

[Shropshiremike]

Dunk76 said:

x200sxy said:

Shropshiremike said:

astrsxi77 said:

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version.

There was...but genuine i300s are extremely rare

Wasn't the i240 a 6-pot too?

No, all the i models were four bangers (I can't honestly recall the i300 without looking).

Yes, the i200 and i240 and Manta 400 were all 4-pots. The i300 was based on the Monza/Carlton inline 6

[monthefish]

the article said:

Somewhere in the middle of the range sat the manta CC Series Berlinetta

williamp said:

As a boy, loved these cars. I even had a brochure on one. Always preferred the looks of the boot to the hatchback.

I think I had a brochure on these too!!

IIRC there were three models,

The 'best' was the GTE (?)
In the middle was the Berlinetta (as the article said)
What was the bottom-spec car?

[monthefish]

pSyCoSiS said:

Good SOTW - something different!

Did the Manta GTEs have the digital dash? Or, was that only on the Astras?

I remember the Senator having one, but the Carlton was analogue...

Carlton was digital too.

[RicksAlfas]

monthefish said:

IIRC there were three models,

The 'best' was the GTE (?)
In the middle was the Berlinetta (as the article said)
What was the bottom-spec car?

GT/J

[RicksAlfas]

pSyCoSiS said:

Did the Manta GTEs have the digital dash?

Six analogue clocks.

[astrsxi77]

Stigmundfreud said:

astrsxi77 said:

So very nearly bought a gold 1.8i Berlinetta seven-odd years back.

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version. I would gladly add a white Cartlon GSi 24v powered GT/E coupe to my dream garage alongside a Scorpio 24v powered Capri 280 Brooklands!

You do know a brooklands is nothing more than a colour scheme yes? So not so special once you've changed the engine for the 24v unit.

Er, yes! Just a colour scheme, I know. But, to my eyes, the 280 was the best looking Capri ever made and with the Cosworth 24v replacing the Cologne V6, it would have the bite to match the bark.

[davegreg]

A great car back in the day. I had one briefly in the early 90's, it was an old 'S' reg and was a bit of a nail! I remember taking it to get an 'exchange' engine put in it, and the one they fitted was worse than the one that came out and looked like it had been installed by a couple of 5 year olds! Also one of the brake callipers kept sticking...which was fun.
In the end i part-exed it against a 2.0 EFI MG Maestro.

But probably my best Manta memories would have to be the Manx Rally 1984 on the Isle Of Man. Superb fast tarmac stages, Mantas with big 'twin 50' Webber carbs going flat-out and taking off on the humps in the road! Brilliant.

[Dunk76]

Well, you can't ever discuss Opel Mantas at length without talking about the 400 Rally Car. The Irish tarmac guys still hold the things in esteem as one of the fastest tarmac rally cars built - they were wiping the floor with the high tech Jap 4x4s on the national circuit as recently as last year.

Ari Vatanen masterclass

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aI5wTDFRA34

Note the 'moment' at 1:40 following a puncture at around 100mph

Plus more;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FRiyFznFpZM&feat...

Edited by Dunk76 on Friday 21st November 17:32

Edited by Dunk76 on Friday 21st November 17:35

[dave_s13]

My first car was a 2.0 GTE hatch,

It was absolutely fooked, loved it though.

[yabadaba]

RICYP said:

The Manta, when cars were proper. I had 2, 1.8 GT, and then a 2.0 GTE which i kept for 4 years, would love to know if it is still around E548SKJ white hatch would buy it back if i saw it, great rear wheel driving, an icon to many.

Doesn't look like it - well at least it's not being taxed, based on the date of liability....

Date of Liability 01 01 1999
Date of First Registration 01 08 1987
Year of Manufacture 1987
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1979CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour WHITE

[T66ORA]

astrsxi77 said:

Stigmundfreud said:

astrsxi77 said:

So very nearly bought a gold 1.8i Berlinetta seven-odd years back.

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version. I would gladly add a white Cartlon GSi 24v powered GT/E coupe to my dream garage alongside a Scorpio 24v powered Capri 280 Brooklands!

You do know a brooklands is nothing more than a colour scheme yes? So not so special once you've changed the engine for the 24v unit.

Er, yes! Just a colour scheme, I know. But, to my eyes, the 280 was the best looking Capri ever made and with the Cosworth 24v replacing the Cologne V6, it would have the bite to match the bark.

Brooklands had 15" alloys instead of 13" and full leather, so more than just a colour scheme then?

[Athlon]

Ooh Manta's, I have had over 20 of them ! great cars although a bit slow, I once put a 1.6 sports hatch rear axle in a GTE and it went like a bd! Sold it to a young lad who wrapped it round a sign post

Had a couple of 400 replica's, couple of caged up rally cars amd lots of GTE's and a couple of 'A' series SR's which are soo pretty.

I even had a wee sideline selling parts, collectables and paperwork, I had all the homologation papers for the 400, i200 and gte, in fact I am pretty sure I still have them, loads of press stuff from the factory, pics, slides info sheets, vin numbers etc!

Sold the lot to a committee member of the owners club and went on a 3 week jaunt accross the States with the proceeds

Did anyone see the genuine 400 road car at the NEC last weekend? stunning.

[RedYellowGreen]

Damn shed I had my eye on this one. My mate had an awful 1.8 berlinetta in black about 10 years ago he used to rag the butt cheeks off the poor thing everywhere even when towing a caravan of all things it was whilst doing this that it quite literaly exploded.

[Stigmundfreud]

T66ORA said:

astrsxi77 said:

Stigmundfreud said:

astrsxi77 said:

So very nearly bought a gold 1.8i Berlinetta seven-odd years back.

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version. I would gladly add a white Cartlon GSi 24v powered GT/E coupe to my dream garage alongside a Scorpio 24v powered Capri 280 Brooklands!

You do know a brooklands is nothing more than a colour scheme yes? So not so special once you've changed the engine for the 24v unit.

Er, yes! Just a colour scheme, I know. But, to my eyes, the 280 was the best looking Capri ever made and with the Cosworth 24v replacing the Cologne V6, it would have the bite to match the bark.

Brooklands had 15" alloys instead of 13" and full leather, so more than just a colour scheme then?

it was hardly a big send off, best looking CApri? ITs an ok shade of green but best looking? MK1 RS2600 has that licked, MK1 RS3100 has it licked, MK2 3.0s with JPS colour has it licked

Tickford turbo = ultimate daddy cool

[astrsxi77]

Stigmundfreud said:

T66ORA said:

astrsxi77 said:

Stigmundfreud said:

astrsxi77 said:

So very nearly bought a gold 1.8i Berlinetta seven-odd years back.

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version. I would gladly add a white Cartlon GSi 24v powered GT/E coupe to my dream garage alongside a Scorpio 24v powered Capri 280 Brooklands!

You do know a brooklands is nothing more than a colour scheme yes? So not so special once you've changed the engine for the 24v unit.

Er, yes! Just a colour scheme, I know. But, to my eyes, the 280 was the best looking Capri ever made and with the Cosworth 24v replacing the Cologne V6, it would have the bite to match the bark.

Brooklands had 15" alloys instead of 13" and full leather, so more than just a colour scheme then?

it was hardly a big send off, best looking CApri? ITs an ok shade of green but best looking? MK1 RS2600 has that licked, MK1 RS3100 has it licked, MK2 3.0s with JPS colour has it licked

Tickford turbo = ultimate daddy cool

I wouldn't dispute that the RS cars are much more special but I am a sucker for 80's styling cues and the 280 looks just right to me. The Tickford's bodykit is too extreme and spoils an otherwise rare and seriously cool car though.

[PascalBuyens]

Dunk76 said:

x200sxy said:

Shropshiremike said:

astrsxi77 said:

It's such a shame there was never a 6-pot version.

There was...but genuine i300s are extremely rare

Wasn't the i240 a 6-pot too?

No, all the i models were four bangers (I can't honestly recall the i300 without looking).

The inline six modded ones I've driven have plough-on understeer like you never thought possible. Sound great, handle hopelessly.

All Mantas were indeed 4 cylinders...

That being said, used to race a Manta with 3.0 liter from a Carlton, but it did indeed understeer heavily. Great car to drift though, once you got it going

Ended up breaking the car, when a wheel nut broke, and the wheel went through the bodyshell...

[PascalBuyens]

Dunk76 said:

Well, you can't ever discuss Opel Mantas at length without talking about the 400 Rally Car. The Irish tarmac guys still hold the things in esteem as one of the fastest tarmac rally cars built - they were wiping the floor with the high tech Jap 4x4s on the national circuit as recently as last year.

Ari Vatanen masterclass

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aI5wTDFRA34

Note the 'moment' at 1:40 following a puncture at around 100mph

Plus more;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FRiyFznFpZM&feat...

Edited by Dunk76 on Friday 21st November 17:32

Edited by Dunk76 on Friday 21st November 17:35

No puncture, he hit the wall... 'unseen easy right'...

[clani200]

Mine, still motors tae hiv loads owe rear arseoot fun in.

cheers rab.

[Athlon]

Damn, that is one super strong accent you have !!!!!

Nice car BTW