Classic cars with history: Opel Manta, a model with a seafaring name

That a brand celebrates half a century of one of its models is always good news. Although that model is no longer in production, the fact that it is remembered so long afterwards shows that it is a car remembered for a good reason. And speaking of the Opel Manta, there are several of them that have made this year, its 50th anniversary, so special.

To celebrate it, 40 of these cars, in perfect condition, drove along the same circuit that was part of the Opel Manta‘s global launch 50 years ago. The area of Timmendorfer Strand hosted these 40 units of the model, which covered the stretch between the “Maritime” hotel and the “Suiza” hotel, recreating that very first launch journey.

The origin of the Opel Manta

This car with such a nautical name, which takes its designation from a manta ray, has its origin in a meeting between George Gallion and the legendary Jacques Cousteau. At that meeting the American designer’s attention was focused on a photo of a manta ray. The image matched what he was looking for: an animal that conveyed elegance, strength and agility. At that moment he decided to call his proposal the Opel Manta.

In September 1970 the first Opel Manta came to light and was presented in Timmendorfer Strand in front of around 400 journalists from around the world. The four-seater coupé shared its platform, suspension and engines with the Ascona. To this engine range was added a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 68 CV, which reached as much as 80 CV in the S version. The most powerful engine in the Manta was the 1.9-litre four-cylinder S block producing 90 CV, known from the Opel Rekord.

Little by little, new versions were added to the model, including a 1.2-litre engine producing 60 CV, which was the entry-level option, and the Manta Berlinetta as the top of the range. The latter came as standard with a sports steering wheel, heated rear window, halogen headlights, electric windscreen washer and vinyl roof.

The Manta GT/E also arrived, equipped with a 1.9-litre engine producing 105 CV with Bosch L Jetronic injection, in 1974. A year later the Manta B arrived, offering other variants and experiences for drivers.

At the gathering in Germany several of these models could be seen, including a black D.O.T. Turbo from Broadspeed, owned by the event organiser, Manfred Henning. Only 28 units of this version were built for the British market, and only 6 remain worldwide, with just two or three in good condition.

The car’s own designer offered participants a series of sketches showing the earlier designs, a gift that owners of the Opel Manta can treasure alongside their car to pay tribute to a car that was very popular in Europe for a decade.