Opel

Launched in September 1970, the Opel Manta A was Opel's answer to the Ford Capri, combining sporty coupé styling with the proven mechanicals of the newly introduced Ascona. Its sleek two-door body, distinctive round tail lights and rear-wheel-drive layout gave it broad appeal, while a choice of 1.2-, 1.6- and 1.9-litre engines catered to a wide range of buyers. The range included several trim levels, culminating in the fuel-injected GT/E introduced in 1974, which offered impressive performance for its day. Successful in both rallying and the showroom, the Manta A firmly established Opel in the European sporting coupé market. By the time it was replaced by the Manta B in 1975, almost 500,000 units had been built.

1973

1974

In 1971, the Belgian company Transeurop Engineering developed the TE 2800, a high-performance Manta created primarily for rallying. Powered by the 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine from the Commodore, the conversion required extensive modifications to the bonnet, radiator, gearbox, rear axle and wheel arches. Although Opel initially supported the project, by the time the first production TE2800s were completed, the 1973 oil crisis caused the factory to withdraw, forcing Transeurop to market the cars under its own name rather than as Opels. Just 79 cars were ultimately built. Despite its rarity, the TE 2800 became legendary, outperforming contemporary sports cars such as the BMW 2002 Turbo and the Porsche 911 Carrera.

The second-generation Opel Manta arrived in 1975 with sharper styling, a more aerodynamic front end and the mechanicals of the new Ascona B. Alongside the original coupé, Opel introduced a practical three-door hatchback in 1977. Engine choices ranged from a 1.2-litre four-cylinder to the sporty fuel-injected 2.0-litre GT/E, which became the flagship of the range. The Manta B remained in production until 1988, making it one of Opel's longest-running models.

1977

1978