The Auto Opel Manta: A Cool Classic Car from Germany
The Auto Opel Manta was a sporty car made in Germany from 1970 to 1988. This popular auto Opel Manta had a sleek design inspired by the manta ray, powerful engines, and was fun to drive.
Today, it’s considered a classic car that many collectors around the world love to own. The name “Manta” comes from the manta ray, a large ocean fish. The auto Opel Manta’s design was meant to look like this graceful sea creature.
Fun Fact Box: Opel is one of Germany’s oldest car makers, founded in 1862. The company first made sewing machines before moving to bicycles and then cars!
Table of Contents
Two Generations of the Manta
The auto Opel Manta came in two main versions during its time on the road. Each had its own special look and features that car fans can easily spot. The first was rounder with a classic 70s style, while the second had a sharper, more modern 80s design.
The Manta A (1970-1975)
The first Opel Manta model was called the Manta A. It had:
- A long hood and short rear end
- Round headlights
- Engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.9 liters
- A top speed of about 115 mph (185 km/h)
- Space for four people
The Manta A was built to compete with the Ford Capri, another popular sports car at that time. Over 498,000 Manta As were sold during its five-year run.
The Manta B (1975-1988)
The second version, called Manta B, was:
- More angular in design
- Equipped with square headlights
- Available with more powerful engines
- Produced for a longer time (13 years!)
- Updated several times with special editions
The Manta B continued the success of the first model. The final versions included the famous GSi and exclusive models.
Why Was the Opel Manta Special?
The Opel Manta stood out for several reasons:
- Affordable Performance: Unlike expensive sports cars from Ferrari or Porsche, the Manta offered speed and fun at a price regular people could afford.
- Good Looks: Its sleek design turned heads wherever it went.
- Practical Daily Driver: Unlike many sports cars, you could use a Manta every day. It had a trunk for groceries and space for passengers.
- Rally Racing Success: The Manta competed in many rally races, winning fans for its toughness and speed.
The Manta in Pop Culture
The Opel Manta became part of popular culture, especially in Germany. In the 1980s and 1990s, it appeared in movies and TV shows. There was even a German comedy film called “Manta, Manta” that became a cult classic.
In racing games and car collector shows, the Manta continues to have a special place.
The Auto Opel Manta Today: A Classic Car
Today, the auto Opel Manta is considered a classic car. Finding one in good condition can be difficult. Car collectors value them for:
- Their retro style
- The nostalgia they bring
- Their increasing rarity
- Their place in automotive history
Original parts for the auto Opel Manta can be hard to find, making well-maintained models even more valuable.
Will the Manta Return?
In 2021, Opel showed a concept car called the “Manta GSe ElektroMOD” – an electric version of the classic Manta. This modern take keeps the classic look but runs on electricity instead of gasoline.
While there are no confirmed plans for a new production Manta, many car fans hope to see this legendary name return to the roads someday.
Conclusion
The auto Opel Manta represents an important chapter in car history. It showed that sports cars could be practical, affordable, and fun. Even though production of the auto Opel Manta ended over 30 years ago, this special car continues to have loyal fans around the world.
If you ever see an auto Opel Manta at a car show or on the road, you’re looking at a piece of automotive history that brought joy to drivers for nearly two decades.
FAQS
The Opel Manta was produced from 1970 to 1988 across two generations: the Manta A (1970-1975) and the Manta B (1975-1988).
The Opel Manta was built in Germany by Opel, which was owned by General Motors at that time.
It was named after the manta ray fish because its design was inspired by the smooth, flowing shape of this sea creature.
Yes! The Manta was successful in rally racing competitions throughout Europe, especially in the 1970s and early 1980s.
You cannot buy a new Opel Manta today as they stopped making them in 1988. However, you can find used ones through classic car dealers or private sellers.
