RE: SOTW: Opel Manta
Discussion
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.
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 rarethe 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?
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.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!
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.
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.
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...
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
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
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.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!
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.
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.
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.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!
Tickford turbo = ultimate daddy cool
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.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!
Tickford turbo = ultimate daddy cool
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 rareThe inline six modded ones I've driven have plough-on understeer like you never thought possible. Sound great, handle hopelessly.
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...
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...
No puncture, he hit the wall... 'unseen easy right'...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
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