1988 OPEL MANTA GT/E EXCLUSIVE

1988 OPEL MANTA GT/E EXCLUSIVE.
The Opel Manta is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupé built by German manufacturer Opel in two generations from 1970 to 1988. The Manta was a mildly sporting coupé based on the Ascona family car, akin to the Ford Falcon-based Mustang and its various imitators such as the Ford Capri. The Manta remained rear-wheel drive for both generations and also saw certain competition success. Its name comes from the Manta ray.
Opel released the Manta A, back in 1970, as a competitor to the Ford Capri. Equipped with either a 1.6 or 1.9 litre CIH, (Cam In Head built by General Motors), and fitted with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic, the Manta became known as one of the best handling cars in its class. This also proved well in the world of rallying, where it had great success in both Europe and the United States.
In 1975, the Manta B was launched, which was basically a redesigned Opel Ascona, but with more sporty styling, similar to the UK equivalent of the Ascona, the Mk1 Cavalier sports hatch. Fitted again with the same engines as the previous model, it wasn't until 1979 when the GT/E model was fitted with the new 2.0 litre engine, and the newly designed Bosch fuel injection system.
The next major update came in 1982 when the Manta received the updated 1.8 litre engine. This engine was more economical and could also use unleaded fuel. This proved very popular, and was used up until the end of the production run of the Manta.
The last models released were the GT and GT/E Exclusive. The one here is the GT Exclusive which featured the quad headlights, a front spoiler, the number plate recessed into the rear bumper, and a spoiler from Irmscher.
Production of the Manta continued well after the equivalent Ascona and Cavalier were replaced by a front-wheel-drive model "Ascona C". The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 Sports Hatch and Coupe did not continue past 1981, and there were no coupe versions in the MK2 Cavalier range. In 1982 the 1.8-litre Opel Family II engine from the Ascona C was fitted in the Manta B (replacing the CIH unit) making a more economical Manta B to drive. It could run 14 km per litre and use unleaded fuel. The 1.8 was very popular and was in production for 5 years (1982-1987). The 2.0S models where discontinued in 1984 and only the GSi was available with the "large" engine (GT/E in the UK). In 1986 Opel released the last Manta B model the Exclusive (1987 in the UK), giving it all of the best in equipment. Recaro seats with red cloth, grey leather like interior and the full bodypack known from the i200 models. This consisted of twin round headlights in a plastic cover, front spoiler and rear lower spoiler from Irmscher, sideskirts and the known 3 split rear spoiler of the Manta 400 (producing 80 kg (176 lb) of weight on the rear at 200 km/h). In the UK, the Exclusive GT/E models were available in colours such as Dolphin Grey with matching dark grey cloth seats with red piping. These also had the quad headlights, front spoiler but a rear bumper which housed the number plate, coupled with a black plastic strip between the rear light clusters. The rear spoiler was similar to the standard GT/E. Opel finally ceased the production of the Manta B in 1988, only producing the GSi version after 1986 (it was sold as the GT/E in the UK). Its successor, the Calibra - sold as a Vauxhall in Britain, and as an Opel everywhere else - was launched in 1989.
General Motors had decided in 1986 to develop a direct replacement for the Manta, despite a dip in popularity for affordable coupes and sports cars (possibly due to the rising popularity of "hot hatchbacks" like the Volkswagen Golf GTI) which even resulted in Ford deciding not to directly replace the once hugely popular Capri on its demise that year. However, Japanese products like the Honda Prelude and Toyota Celica were enjoying a rise in popularity at this time, while Audi had done well in this sector since launching the Coupe/Quattro in 1980, and Volkswagen had also achieved strong sales of its second generation Scirocco (launched in 1981).
Today, these cars are hard to find in an original, good condition; consequently the value has risen considerably over the last few years.
CC rating: 1,979cc 121 ci (2.0L) 2.0 L 20S/20E I4
NZ First Registration: 17-May-2018

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I, too, had an 88 Opel Manta GT/E 2.0 5 speed went well as well...