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Photo of a Opel Manta

Opel Manta

Opel’s Capri challenger: two rear-drive generations and more than a million built.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 31 sources

Also called

  • FuchsschwanzträgerGerman for “foxtail bearer,” recalling the Manta B image of a foxtail hanging from its antenna.3

At a glance

0100200
54–156 hpPower
01020
8.7–18.5 s0–100 km/h
0125250
145–207 km/hTop speed
0150300
88–216 N·mTorque
07501,500
865–1,095 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.12410

Gearbox
4-speed manual, later 5-speed; optional 3-speed automatic1
Built at
Manta A: Rüsselsheim, Germany; Manta B: Bochum and Antwerp69
Units built
Manta A: 498,553; Manta B: 557,94016

The story

Opel’s Ford Capri rival shared its platform with the Ascona. George Gallion styled it under Chuck Jordan; creating the ray badge took Gallion to Paris to study Jacques Cousteau’s underwater photos.245

1970: Manta A arrives ahead of the Ascona19701974: GT/E brings Bosch fuel injection19741975: Manta B shares the Ascona B hardware19751978: 2.0 liters replace the 1.9s19781982: Four nose slots and a new OHC 1.819821983: Manta 400 gets Group B approval19831984: Paris–Dakar class win, fourth overall19841988: Manta B bows out after 13 years19882021: Electric Manta, four manual gears2021 Opel Kadett B (B): 1965–1973BOpel Olympia A Coupé (A): 1967–1970AOpel Manta B (B): 1975–1988B 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones141920
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1973Opel Kadett B (B)
1967–1970Opel Olympia A Coupé (A)
1975–1988Opel Manta B (B)
1970Manta A arrives ahead of the Ascona
1974GT/E brings Bosch fuel injection
1975Manta B shares the Ascona B hardware
19782.0 liters replace the 1.9s
1982Four nose slots and a new OHC 1.8
1983Manta 400 gets Group B approval
1984Paris–Dakar class win, fourth overall
1988Manta B bows out after 13 years
2021Electric Manta, four manual gears
  1. 1970

    Manta A arrives ahead of the Ascona

    The Manta A debuts in September as Opel’s Ford Capri rival, two months before the Ascona on which it is based.1

  2. 1974

    GT/E brings Bosch fuel injection

    March brings the 1.9-liter GT/E with Bosch L-Jetronic injection, 104 hp and a factory-claimed 188 km/h.2

  3. 1975

    Manta B shares the Ascona B hardware

    The Manta B launches in August alongside the Ascona B, with a longer wheelbase, rectangular headlights and an integrated roll bar.6

  4. 1978

    2.0 liters replace the 1.9s

    For model year 1978, 2.0-liter engines replace the 1.9 S and E. The injected 108 hp 2.0 E becomes the Manta B’s most-ordered engine.2

  5. 1982

    Four nose slots and a new OHC 1.8

    The Manta B gains four cooling slots, a body-color front apron and a 1.8-liter OHC engine; GT/E models add side skirts and a painted rear spoiler.6

  6. 1983

    Manta 400 gets Group B approval

    The rear-drive Manta 400 earns Group B homologation on March 2 with a 2,410 cc four-cylinder engine.7

  7. 1984

    Paris–Dakar class win, fourth overall

    The Manta 400 wins its class and finishes fourth overall at Paris–Dakar, adding a desert result to its rally record.6

  8. 1988

    Manta B bows out after 13 years

    The Manta B ends production in August after a 13-year run using the Bochum and Antwerp plants.26

  9. 2021

    Electric Manta, four manual gears

    The Manta GSe ElektroMOD conversion combines a 147 hp electric motor, rear drive and a four-speed manual.8

Every generation

  • Opel Kadett B
    B1965–1973
  • Opel Olympia A Coupé
    A1967–1970
  • Opel Manta B
    B1975–1988
  • Opel Calibra
    Opel Calibra

Power over the years

From 68 hp to 156 hp in 3 years.

050100150200 197019801990200020102020 hp 1970 · 68 hp · Manta A 1.61970 · 80 hp · Manta A 1.6 S1970 · 90 hp · Manta A 1.91972 · 59 hp · Manta A 1.21973 · 156 hp · Turbomanta 1.9 turbo prototype1974 · 104 hp · Manta A GT/E 1.9 injection1974 · 140 hp · TE2800 2.8-liter six1975 · 54 hp · Manta B 1.2 N1978 · 108 hp · Manta B 2.0 E injection1981 · 142 hp · Manta 400 road version1983 · 110 hp · GT/E with five-speed2021 · 147 hp · Manta GSe ElektroMOD 156 hp Turbomanta 1.9 turbo prototype 68 hp Manta A 1.6
126891011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197068Manta A 1.6
197080Manta A 1.6 S
197090Manta A 1.9
197259Manta A 1.2
1973156Turbomanta 1.9 turbo prototype
1974104Manta A GT/E 1.9 injection
1974140TE2800 2.8-liter six
197554Manta B 1.2 N
1978108Manta B 2.0 E injection
1981142Manta 400 road version
1983110GT/E with five-speed
2021147Manta GSe ElektroMOD

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Manta A: base, L, Berlinetta and Luxus

    Standard

    Manta A: base, L, Berlinetta and Luxus

    1970–1975

  • Manta B / CC

    Standard

    Manta B / CC

    1975–1988

  • Manta A SR / Rallye

    Performance

    Manta A SR / Rallye

  • Performance

    Manta B 2.0 GT/E / GSi / Exclusive

    108 hp
  • Manta A GT/E / Black Magic / Swinger

    Performance

    Manta A GT/E / Black Magic / Swinger

    1974–1975

    104 hp
  • Manta Irmscher i200 / 200i

    Performance

    Manta Irmscher i200 / 200i

    134 hp
  • Manta Irmscher i240

    Limited

    Manta Irmscher i240

  • Manta 400

    Racing

    Manta 400

    1981–1984

    142 hp

    245 built

  • Manta A TE2800

    Limited

    Manta A TE2800

    140 hp

    79 built

  • Limited

    Turbomanta: Broadspeed / D.O.T.

    33 built

  • Limited

    Irmscher i2800

    148 hp

    28 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Manta A: four round headlights inside a black grille.2
  • Manta A: four round taillights.2
  • Many Manta As wear small ray emblems on the front fenders.2
  • Manta B's original face uses large rectangular headlights.2
  • Manta B: a distinctive drooping nose.1

Year by year

  1. 1973–1975 (US)

    US 1900 Sport Coupe/Rallye names gave way to Manta in 1973; large aluminum impact bumpers arrived for 1974–75.1

  2. 1974 model year

    Manta A adopted an angular exterior mirror and a full B-pillar in place of the earlier thin window frame.4

  3. 1975

    Manta B arrived with a longer, more stretched shape and large rectangular headlights.2

  4. 1977

    Manta B gained a three-door hatchback alongside the separate-trunk coupe.1

  5. 1980 model year

    Manta B replaced chrome bumpers with black, plastic-coated bumpers.16

  6. 1982 facelift

    Manta B gained four cooling slots instead of two and a body-color front apron; GT/E added side skirts and a painted rear spoiler.6

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Opel Manta
    Manta
    Photo of a Ford Capri
    Ford Capri

    Ford Capri

    Look for the Manta A's large windows; the Capri has stockier proportions, a long hood and a short tail.18

  • Photo of a Opel Manta
    Manta
    Photo of a Opel Ascona A / Mancona
    Opel Ascona A / Mancona

    Opel Ascona A / Mancona

    Manta-nosed Ascona conversions were called Mancona; framed doors distinguish their bodies from the Manta A's frameless glass.4

Against its rivals

  • BMW 323i

    Manta vs BMW 323i

    Peak torque

    Manta210 Nm
    BMW 323i190 Nm
    16

Prices

Value today $5.2K–$26.0K9

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K$1M 19801990200020102020 Value today: $5,200–$26,000 1974 · $7,685 · Germany TE 2800 base; approx. USD1976 · $4,587 · Germany Manta B base; approx. USD1977 · $12,004 · Germany i2800 base; approx. USD1978 · $14,050 · Germany i2800 base; approx. USD1987 · $13,397 · Germany GSi base; approx. USD 2023 · $21,350 · 1980 modified GT/J, 57k mi shown; approx. USD, The Market2023 · $7,100 · 1972 4-speed, 88k mi shown, total unknown, BaT2024 · $114,300 · 1982 Manta 400; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers2025 · $151,875 · 1984 Manta 400; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers2025 · $86,647 · 1984 Manta 400; approx. USD, Collecting Cars2025 · $865 · Manta, Mathewsons2026 · $205,291 · 1985 Manta 400 Works; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers2026 · $15,000 · 1974 Rallye 4-speed, 12k mi shown, rolled, BaT2026 · $42,642 · Manta, Iconic Auctioneers $205.3K Iconic Auctioneers, 2026
2310121517272831
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1974Price when new$7,685Germany TE 2800 base; approx. USD
1976Price when new$4,587Germany Manta B base; approx. USD
1977Price when new$12,004Germany i2800 base; approx. USD
1978Price when new$14,050Germany i2800 base; approx. USD
1987Price when new$13,397Germany GSi base; approx. USD
2023Auction sale$21,3501980 modified GT/J, 57k mi shown; approx. USD, The Market
2023Auction sale$7,1001972 4-speed, 88k mi shown, total unknown, BaT
2024Auction sale$114,3001982 Manta 400; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers
2025Auction sale$151,8751984 Manta 400; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers
2025Auction sale$86,6471984 Manta 400; approx. USD, Collecting Cars
2025Auction sale$865Manta, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$205,2911985 Manta 400 Works; approx. USD, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Auction sale$15,0001974 Rallye 4-speed, 12k mi shown, rolled, BaT
2026Auction sale$42,642Manta, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Value today$5,200–$26,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “McRae in 1984, Brookes in 1985”
    • “A failed piston, then two French titles”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. Opel Manta - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Opel Manta – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  3. Opel Manta B kaufen: Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  4. Opel Manta A – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. “This is it – the essence of Opel“ - Opel POST opelpost.com
  6. Opel Manta B: Das Erfolgsmodell mit dem Blitz autozeitung.de
  7. FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  8. Made by Opel - Opel POST opelpost.com
  9. Opel Manta A buying guide, history and model review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  10. Opel Manta TE 2800: So fährt sich der Über-Manta mit Commo-R6 autozeitung.de
  11. Road impressions-1 August 1983 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  12. No Reserve: 1974 Opel Manta Rallye 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,000 on August 25, 2026 (Lot #259,693) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  13. Lot 96: Classic Motoring Lot Bidding Ends: Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 12:26PM £19,500-20,500 - Brightwells brightwells.com
  14. Tuning test February 1985 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  15. 1980 Opel Manta 'i240 GTE' For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  16. ROAD AND TRAIL TEST January 1982 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  17. irmscher 2800, irmscher 2800 register irmscher-2800.de
  18. Ford Capri vs Opel Manta A - Two sporty coupés for everyday use classic-trader.com
  19. Opel Kadett B - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Opel Olympia A – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  21. Opel Manta 400 Tarmac specification | Slowly Sideways UK slowlysidewaysuk.com
  22. How the McRaes dominated the British championship – DirtFish dirtfish.com
  23. The Manta in the 1000km race - racing icon at the start | Nürburgring nuerburgring.de
  24. Opel Manta B: Filmauto aus "Manta, Manta" - AUTO BILD KLASSIK autobild.de
  25. DiRT Rally 2.0 - Opel Manta 400 on Steam store.steampowered.com
  26. Manta joke - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. Opel Manta 400 For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1972 Opel Manta 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,100 on October 5, 2023 (Lot #122,843) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. Opel Manta Oldtimer kaufen | Classic Trader classic-trader.com
  30. Opel Manta B kaufen: Was vom Kult bleibt und worauf man achtet patinamore.de
  31. Opel Manta: Buyer's Guide [UPDATED 2026] theclassicvaluer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • autozeitung.de
  • opelpost.com
  • historicdb.fia.com
  • octane-magazine.com
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • brightwells.com
  • themarket.co.uk
  • irmscher-2800.de
  • classic-trader.com
  • slowlysidewaysuk.com
  • dirtfish.com

Photo credits

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