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Thread: Opel Manta

  1. #1
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    Opel Manta

    This is a Opel Manta type A


    story from:
    http://www.mantaclub.org/archive/manta_a.htm

    Opel Manta A: Space with Style - By Stephen Godfrey
    It is possible to draw many parallels between the Opel Manta and the Ford Capri. Yet Opel insisted that their car was not introduced as a Capri competitor. Opel pointed out that they were already producing four ranges of conventional saloons. They had already introduced one specialised vehicle, the Opel GT which was an attempt to cover one part of the market, that had been missed by other ranges, the Manta grew up along the same lines.
    It is true to say, then, that the Manta is the result of the same market research findings as Ford’s: that there was a demand for more than a box on wheels, a really well styled car of compact size offering a high standard of comfort and equipment.
    Styling
    The Manta was styled under the direction of Chuck Jordan before he left Opel for America. It owes nothing to any previous model and there are no pressings in common with anything else in the range.
    As far as the body is concerned, it was a new car from the ground up.
    The wheelbase is only slightly bigger than the Kadett (five inches less than a Capri’s), yet the front and rear track is increased by nearly three inches, matching the Capri very closely. It is an inch longer, an inch narrower and two inches higher.
    The Manta nose is styled around four small circular headlamps. The nose is relatively short and the bonnet front hinged. Side treatment is very restrained, only a minimum of trim to interrupt the smooth flow of the surface. The lower waistline and the extra overall height has resulted in a large window area. The front drip rails (though not the roofline gutters) have been eliminated to reduce wind noise. For the same reason there are no quarter lights in the doors.
    The rear styling is a full fastback, finishing in a slightly upswept spoiler type tail. The object was to provide reasonable back seat space and the largest possible boot.
    Engineering
    The Manta was given its preview at the Paris Show in September 1970, initially in three variations: the base model, Manta Deluxe (L) and Manta Rallye (SR). Only the last two sold in the UK. There are three engine options, two 1.6 litre units of 68 and 80 bhp (which was a new engine only offered in the Manta and Ascona) and a 1.9 litre engine with 90 bhp. The base car came with either 1.6 litre unit, the L can have either of the three and the SR can have either of the top two units. All had five bearing crankshafts, with overhead valves operated by a chain driven camshaft mounted in the cylinder head instead of the block.
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  2. #2
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    Model Capacity (cc) Compression ratio BHP @ rpm Torque (lb/ft)
    1.6 1774 8.2:1 68/5200 79/3400
    1.6S 1774 9.5:1 80/5200 87/3800
    1.9S 1897 9.0:1 90/5100 108/280

    Later, in Europe, the 1.2 litre OHV Kadett engine was also available but (thankfully) it wasn’t sold in the UK. Most of the driveline components were derived from contemporary Opel units. For example, the gear ratios (manual) were the same as those on the Rekord Sprint at 3.67:1 final drive.

    The brakes were also from the Rekord. Front suspension was new, using double wishbones and coil springs and they had rack and pinion steering. At the rear was a live axle, trailing arms and a panhard rod and progressive rate coil springs.

    GM Strasbourg automatic transmission was available as an alternative to the standard four-speed manual, but only with the 1.9 and 1.6S units. The transmission choice is basically down to what you prefer as they are both good, the automatic being more lively than you would expect.
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  3. #3
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    Length overall (in) 171
    Width overall (in) 64.5
    Height overall (in) 53
    Wheelbase (in) 95.5
    Track front (in) 52
    Track rear (in) 52
    Turning circle dia (ft) 31
    Kerb weight (cwt) 18-19
    Max allowable (cwt) 26
    Trunk volume (cu ft) 11.5
    Tyre sizes 165SR x 13 (Deluxe) 185/70SR x 13 (Rallye/SR)
    Engine 1.6 litre S 1.9 litre S
    Number of cylinders 4 4
    Bore mm (in) 85 (3.35) 93 (3.66)
    Stroke mm (in) 69.8 (2.75) 69.8 (2.75)
    Piston displacement cc (cu in) 1774 (96.7) 1897 (115.8)
    Carburettor 1 x Solex 2-choke 1 x Solex 2-choke
    Max. output (SAE hp at rpm) 92/5800 102/5400
    Max. torque (ft/lb. at rpm) 95/4200 115/2800-3400
    Compression ratio 9.5:1 9.5:1
    Engine (refill) (imp pt) 5.7 5.3
    Fuel Tank (imp gallon) 11.5 12.1
    Transmission 4-speed all synchromesh floor change
    3-speed automatic optional
    Body All steel integral construction
    Front suspension Independent (coil springs)
    Rear suspension Live axle (coil springs)
    Steering Rack and pinion
    Brakes Servo disk/drum
    Parking brake Mechanical to rear wheels
    Seat belt anchors Front and rear
    Steering column Impact absorbing
    Body Impact absorbing
    Brakes Dual circuit
    Fascia Padded, flush switches
    Warning flashers 4-way emergency
    Instruments Speedo, clock, water temperature and fuel gauges.
    Plus tachometer, oil pressure and ammeter on Rallye/SR
    Controls Heater and fresh air vents.
    Stalk for flash, dip/main beam and indicators.
    Toggle switches for head and side lamps, wipers, etc.
    Carpets Carpet
    Reclining seats Partly reclining standard
    Wipers 2-speed, self parking
    Reverse lights Automatic twin
    Steering lock Column mounted
    Metallic paint Optional

    that were all pictures.Taken in oostvoorne,the netherands on november 2nd 2005 at about 14:00
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  4. #4
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    I was affraid of this. It's hard to take good pictures in the garage... Nice Manta example though.

  5. #5
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    very nice machiene

  6. #6
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    Opel Manta 1900 SR
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    Money can't buy you friends, but you do get a better class of enemy.

  7. #7
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    I actually saw an Opel Manta (I believe 1.9 S) in an excellent condition in The Bronx, NY. I was amazed (mainly because you just don't see classic (or nice) cars in the Bronx). It was red, and it had the black hood. It was a very stunning car, and I had always loved its looks. Of course, I didn't have my camera that day. I saw it just off of Fordham road across the main entrance of Fordham University. Maybe someone that lives around there will read this, and know what I am talking about. Perhaps it is still around and they can take a pic of it.

    It looked like the 1st pic. The second one is an Opel Manta GT/E
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    Last edited by dracu777; 11-02-2005 at 04:15 PM.

  8. #8
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    lol .. si romani p'aci )))

  9. #9
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    The threads name is "Opel Manta", so am I allowed to bring the Manta B in here as well?
    WRC - That's motorsport!

    "If you can see the tree you are about to hit, it is called 'understeering'. If you can only hear and feel it, it was 'oversteering'."
    Walter Röhrl

  10. #10
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    or under the Manta 400?
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

  11. #11
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    Here is the only pic of a Manta A I have made myself.
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    WRC - That's motorsport!

    "If you can see the tree you are about to hit, it is called 'understeering'. If you can only hear and feel it, it was 'oversteering'."
    Walter Röhrl

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by henk4
    or under the Manta 400?
    I think the Manta 400 is a special model, because it is so rare. I have never seen a Manta 400 but many normal ones (also I nearly never took a picture of them...)
    WRC - That's motorsport!

    "If you can see the tree you are about to hit, it is called 'understeering'. If you can only hear and feel it, it was 'oversteering'."
    Walter Röhrl

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by netburner
    I think the Manta 400 is a special model, because it is so rare. I have never seen a Manta 400 but many normal ones (also I nearly never took a picture of them...)
    then make a new thread with a little write-up...
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by ascutind
    lol .. si romani p'aci )))
    haha. suntem peste tot

  15. #15
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    I remember those Manta´s so well !
    Great cars !

    Challe /
    http://race68.com

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