To many, the GTE and GTE Exclusive were seen as the ultimate Manta models, but all models offered a more restrained touring image which was seen as a cut above the 1.6 or 2.0 Capri. The final run out model of the Manta was called the Exclusive, which started out as a model bedecked in a GM option pack produced by the in house styling company Irmscher who notably also kitted out the awesome Cavalier SRI 130 Caliber in 1988. Russell Brookes 1985 Group B Dealer Sport Manta 400 The Opel to really make your mouth water Lesser models included the base GT/J and Berlinetta both featuring 1.8 versions of the GM Family two engine but towards the end of production, the base level GT/J was deleted in `87 with total production ceasing the following year. The plump looking body was offered in a brace of variants, a two door hatchback or two door sports coupe. The engine was designed to last offering heaps of bottom end torque rather than balls out power, in all making the GT/E as effortless round town as it was on the open road. The 110bhp 2.0 Bosch injected CIH (cam in head) engine was pure Germanic engineering of the time with both head and block cast in iron – none of this namby pamby alloy stuff. Gone was the long spindly Cavalier style gear lever replaced with a stubby short leather clad affair which was almost in line with your rib cage, such was the low slung & snug driving position. Everything inside the Manta seemed just right, restrained sporting luxury with Recaro seats trimmed in two tone velour and a facia lifted straight from the early Ascona/Cavalier range. Should you time it right, you would catch a lift if there was no room in the school minibus. I had of course seen the Manta in the flesh before in a local Vauxhall-Opel showroom, but the owner of said teaching staff car was Mr Ridgewell who would occasionally ferry one or two overspill kids to the local swimming pool. Scanning the teacher’s car park on my first day at my new school, Initial impressions looked promising as I spotted an X- plate Beta HPE and a brand new B-reg Manta GT/E – teacher car credibility was always paramount in my eyes. My first real encounter with the Manta came in 1985 after re-locating to Suffolk. The Ford Capri had only one serious rival which came from the GM stable and that of course… was the Opel Manta. That said, the later 2.8i Special and the run out Capri 280 of 1987 looked every inch a showstopper either in the brochures, or out on the road. #Opel manta driverTo be honest the Capri was not a bad car, it just seemed to attract either the wrong type of driver or portray an image of loutish or vulgar mannerisms. Terry McCann drove one in Thames TV’s superb Minder and of course, who could forget Derek Trotter and his lime green ‘Capree’ Ghia in BBC’s Only Fools and Horses – was this the issue? For some reason the Capri never did it for me, maybe it was the blue oval badge that took the shine off the otherwise eye catching if not, iconic shape. One of my earliest motoring memories was the Capri GT my father had imported back into the UK after a lengthy Army posting in Germany back in the mid 1970s. Whether it was Swap Shop or Tiswas, Blue Peter or Magpie on the telly or Spangles vs Texan Bars in the sweet shop – the same would apply with certain cars. If like me you’re a child of the 70s, you would unwittingly find yourself falling into one or the other camp. Words: Mike Humble Photography: Keith Adams This one offered a more restrained image over its arch rival Ford Capri but also went on to make a huge impact in motor sport. Once again we fondly pay homage to the one time past masters of motoring in this popular section.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |