The Manta was dubbed 'Project 1450' by the Opel designers and became a stylish and safe alternative with a new rear axle and coil springs innovations of the time. ![]() A two-door 'three-box' coupe, the Manta had unique round taillights similar to the ones on the Opel GT. Sharing many parts with the Cortina, the Manta was a direct competitor to the Ford Capri. In September of 1970, Opel started with the Manta A, a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe produced for 13 years until 1988 when the final model rolled off the production line in Antwerp, Belgium. The Opel factory began producing bicycles by June 1886 and they were selling nicely, due to the sporting success of the 5 sons Karl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich and Ludwig. Adam Opel and his five sons all worked at the factory before the sons encouraged their father to start making cycles. The competition history of the vehicle is not fully known, it is known that this car was driven by Salvador Servia and Jorge Sabater in the 1984 Monte Carlo Rally and to have won a round of the Spanish Rally Championship.Ī family of competing cyclists, the Opels had a history that was begun with the manufacturing of sewing machines from a factory in Germany near Frankfurt. It was delivered new to Conrero in 1984 and was first registered on Turin number plates, TOW 90798. ![]() Powering the car was a Cosworth engine delivering 275 horsepower in phase 3, in Weber carbureted form.Īutotecnica Conrero (aka Studio Futuro) fully prepared this Opel Manta 400 for Group B rally racing. Several other improvements were made to the vehicle, making the Mantra 400 more competitive than its predecessor. The engine was moved back six cm in an effort to better distribute the vehicle's weight. The front panel, front wings, hood, doors, rear arches, boot lid, spoiler, and headlight holders were all made from this lightweight material. The Mantra, unlike the Ascona 400, made full use of Kevlar body panels. The completed car carrying the necessary approval made its world debut in Corsica, driven by Guy Frequelin. Hoping to accomplish this task in just a few months, it took until 1983 before FISA gave the official stamp of approval. ![]() Though driver Jimmy McRae was using the Opel Ascona 400 at the time, Tony Fall felt he could turn the Mantra into a competitive vehicle. The Opel Manta 400 made its debut in the United Kingdom in 1981. High bid of €75,000 at 2012 RM Auctions at Monaco.
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