Opel Manta
| Opel Manta | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Opel (General Motors) |
| Production | 1970–1988 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 3-door hatchback |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Opel GT Vauxhall Firenza |
| Successor | Opel Calibra |
| Manta A | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1970–1975 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.2S 44 kW (60 PS) 1.6N 44 kW (60 PS) 1.6S 55 kW (75 PS) 1.9S 66 kW (90 PS) 1.9E 77 kW (105 PS) |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 4-speed manual gearbox |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 95.75 in (2,432 mm) |
| Length | 168.75 in (4,286 mm) |
| Width | 64 in (1,600 mm) |
| Height | 53 in (1,300 mm) |
| Curb weight | 970 kg (2,138 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor |
Opel Manta B (Germany/Europe) Opel Isuzu (US) |
| Manta B | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch and Coupe |
| Production | 1975–1981 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 4-speed manual gearbox 3-speed automatic optional (not for 1.2) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,518 mm (99.1 in) |
| Length | 4,445 mm (175.0 in) |
| Width | 1,670 mm (66 in) |
| Height | 1,330 mm (52 in) |
| Opel Manta B2 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1982–1988 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic optional 4-speed Manual Gearbox 5-speed Getrag Sports Gearbox |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,518 mm (99 in) |
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,686 mm (66 in) |
| Height | 1,330 mm (52 in) |
| Curb weight | 965–1,095 kg (2,127–2,414 lb) |
The Opel Manta is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupé motor vehicle built by Opel from 1970 to 1988.
The Manta A was released in September 1970, two months ahead of the then new Opel Ascona on which it was based. A competitor to the Ford Capri, it was a two-door "three-box" coupé, and featured distinctive round tail lights, quite similar to those on the Opel GT and which in fact were used on the GT in 1973, its final model year. It took its name, and a few minor styling cues, from the Manta Ray concept car (1961), which also famously influenced the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (both Chevrolet and Opel have General Motors as their parent company).
In the UK market, the first Manta was sold only as an Opel: there was no Vauxhall-branded Manta (or Ascona) until after the launch, in 1975, of the Manta B1 and Ascona B. (In the UK the Ford Capri niche was contested, with only limited success, by Vauxhall's Firenza, based on the then ageing Vauxhall Viva until 1975.)
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 there. Other Opel models sold in the U.S. market were the 1956–61 the Rekord P1 and Rekord P2, the Kadett A (1964–66), Kadett B (1967–71), GT (1969–73), Manta / Ascona A (1971–75). The Ascona A is the saloon version on the Manta A chassis and was sold in the U.S. under the 1900 name as a two-door and four-door saloon, and as a two-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 as the 1900 Sport Coupé in 1971 and 1972, rather than as 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 marque, was 1975. In that year the only Opels imported were the Manta and Ascona A.
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