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Opel
Manta A |
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Opel
designers drawing new coupe; 1966-1967
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 1969 Opel present Ascona-Coupe... |
 ...and 1970 Manta |
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English Opel Dealer Team present 1974 D.O.T. Turbo-Power Manta A
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HISTORY
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| Smooth
Euro-ponycar styled by Chuck Jordan, now GM director of Design. Completed for pizzazz and practicality with the Mustang-like Capri from Ford Europe, but larger and not as quick despite less weight. All US export models carried Opel's robuse 1.9 liter cam -in-head four. The coupes were always called Manta in Europe and shared chassic, all-coil suspension, and drivetrain with more upright Ascona sedan and wagon. All were initially markered in America throught Buick dealers as per previous Opels from 1958 as the 1900; Manta name was applied from 1973. Rally version had extra instruments, foglamps, matter-black hood, bodyside stripes, stiffer suspension, slotted wheels, and a shorter final drive. Luxus had cord cloth upholstery, four spoke wheels, and non of the Rally's "boy-racer" goodies, but was quieter and more comfy. Also, a vinyl-trimmed base coupe all years. "Crash" bumpers for 1974-75, Bosh fuel injection for 1975 only. |
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FOR
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| Amazingly rust-resistant, ultra strong engine, neat looks, throug again now, teriffic handling, class-leading passenger/trunk room, Germany build quality, cheap |
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AGAINST
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| Parts tough to find throught original sources, but some aftermarket suppliers are starting up, driveability problems on '72, fuel injection woes on '75s, original Luxus cloth upholstery wears out fast, undergeared and noisy |
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ENGINES
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Type No. of cylinders Displacement kW/bhp rpm fuel(octans) Carburettor Top speed km/h |
12 S L4 1196 44/60 5400 98 Solex35 PDSI 145 |
16 L4 1584 50/68 5200 92 Solex35 PDSI 154 |
16 S L4 1584 59/80 5200 98 Solex32 DIDTA-4 164 |
19 S L4 1897 66/90 5100 98 Solex32 DIDTA-4 170 |
19 E L4 1897 77/105 5400 98 Bosh L-Jetronic 188 |
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Production: |
