Opel Manta History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Launched in September 1970 as a sporty coupe on the Ascona A platform, the Manta A offered affordable rear-drive motoring with clean, European styling. Around 500,000 Manta A examples were built between 1970 and 1975.
The Manta B arrived in 1975 with sharper styling and added a three-door hatchback Berlinetta body to the lineup; it outlasted the Manta A by 13 years, remaining in production until 1988 — making it Opel's longest-running single model generation. In total, more than one million Mantas were produced across both generations. The Manta was succeeded in spirit by the aerodynamic Calibra coupe.
Generations
Manta A
The original rear-drive coupe — clean European styling on the Ascona A platform.
Manta B / B2 · Manta B
Opel's longest-produced single generation; added a hatchback body and developed a strong enthusiast following.
Body styles
- Coupe
- Hatchback (Berlinetta)
Notable special editions & performance variants
Manta 400
A factory homologation special for Group B rallying — 400 hp turbocharged variant built in limited numbers for competition.
Related models
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