Swingin' Opels Consume Germany's Entire Output Of Tape Stripes

Nobody swings quite as hard as German employees of General Motors- in fact, these Opel cats are wailing! Just take the early-70s Kadett, Manta, and Ascona, apply about 50 pounds of decals and stripes per car, and watch the cars fly off the showroom floors. Thanks to Franzouse for the tip!

Manta Manta Revisited: The English-Dubbed Trailer

If you've been around Jalopnik for a while, you already know that Manta Manta is perhaps the greatest German street racing film ever made. But for those of us not fluent in Deutsch, we've been left wondering what exactly is going on. Well, now thanks to this recently discovered English-dubbed trailer for Manta Manta, us 'mericans, Brits, Aussies, and whoever else now can really begin to understand just how totally awesome the movie is. And remember: Leaded gas lowers your car, giving you an edge.

What To Drive In '75: Manta or Capri?

In our last What To Drive In '75 episode, we saw the 1975 Ford Maverick Grabber beat the 1975 Oleg Cassini AMC Matador in the poll. Today we're going for an all-import matchup, though it's a classic GM-versus-Ford contest as well. The Opel Manta and Ford Capri were bitter sales rivals across the Atlantic, and both had sufficient sales in North America that they were not unfamiliar on our shores. So imagine it's 1975 and you need to buy a shiny new fuel-efficient-yet-sporty machine to drive a long distance to the Led Zep show (hey, it's the Physical Graffiti tour- you need the right ride if you want to groove properly on that 3-hour version of "Kashmir" later on!) So, what's it gonna be? More »

Manta in Frankfurt, But Where's the Foxtail?

While stalking the nether regions of the Frankfurt Auto Show, Kapitan Bumbeck stumbled across this fine example of a Manta GT/E. This '79 model features a rousing 105 Pferdestarker and a bodykit wide enough to plug the Fulda Gap; we're grooving hard on the period BBS wheels. The question is, would Jimmy McRae drive it? If he wouldn't, we would. We think we'd up the horsepower quotient a bit, though. Turbo Ecotec, anyone?

The Manta Goes and Feeds You an Omelette of Disease

It walks the streets at night. It goes where eagles dare. It picks up every movement. It picks up every loser. With revised eyes and features, you think it really cares? The Manta ain't no goddamn sonofabitch. You better think about it, baby.

Manta! Cheetah!

By the time the Opel Manta B dropped, GM's Rüsselheim Krush Krew had dropped the silly nonsense regarding Egon and his new auto. Instead, it was all about the power, strength and beauty of the cheetah. Seeing as we're suckers for both Mantas and really freaking fast cats, it put a little bit of the giddy in our step and a twinkle in our eye. Manta Manta Manta Manta... More »

Return To Us Our Manta! It Shall Save GM!

Call me "Ich-Manni." Here in the electron-bright pages of tha Jalop, I have often implored manufacturers to bring back a simple, lightweight RWD sports coupe. We collectively have bemoaned the lack of availability of certain European models built by American manufacturers but not sold on our shores. And of course, I have professed my love of the Opel Manta so many times that it borders slightly on the ridiculous. Kind of like the time in college when I used to piss off the guy in the Doobie Brothers shirt by playing "Louie Louie" incessantly on the guitar while he attempted to extoll the virtues of Dave Matthews. But I have hit upon an idea, and if General Motors does not grab hold of it and run like a 400-meter relay medalist with a lit roman candle protruding from his keister, they're hopeless. And here is what I propose: Mssrs. Wagoner and Lutz, bring back the Manta. More »

A Teutonic Tribute to the Mighty Manta

We're assuming the soundtrack is the theme song to the film Manta Manta, which we have only seen pieces of. Regardless, for all mulleted men named Manni out there, it is a must-watch. That means it's obviously mandatory for you to see, dear reader. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Manta National

A Finnish fellow, name of Tapi, restomodded a Manta A. And then he dropped in a Buick Grand National mill with a 2004R behind it and made donuts. Well, after all, wouldn't you? – Davey G. Johnson More »

Towing a Manta!

In a measure of respect to the almighty Mr. Diddley, we offer up this video of a man towing a Manta 1,110 miles kilometers to the tune of one of a song Bo appeared in a video for, as played by a guy from Delaware and some naval vessels. And what a sweet little Manta it is! '71 Manta A. We would so roll Gaffey Street and Pacific Ave. trolling for the laidies that it's beyond funny, broseph. We'd get takeout calamari, cruise down to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and feed it to said chix while our Russian houseboy Vasily cooled them with fans made of the finest grape leaves and Cannoli leather Swedish kroner can buy. Due to the multitude of acquired babes, Vasily would likely have to walk. Remind us to give him a raise. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Manta - der Film, Total Geil!

Truth be told, my Manta fixation goes back over 25 years. As a kid visiting Northern Ireland, I was inextricably drawn to GM's Euro ponycar; it seemed the most American thing on the road, coiffed, as it was with cues that spoke of Yankee muscle. Camaro ducktail here, Monza curve there. Okay, fine. I was influenced heavily by 1970s muscle-appearance cars. But the Manta just looked like the baddest-ass thing on the road in what was then a fairly poor country. That said, I knew that Manta drivers, even back then, were revered for their manliness and reviled for their loutish nature. Eleven years ago, eight years after Manta production ended, I studied in Germany. Although nobody mentioned Mantas, per se "Manni" was shorthand for your stereotypical Bitburger-swilling, mulleted hoon. Which brings us to Manta - der Film. More »

Plural Opel Coupes, Black Metal, Mantas!

We can't believe we spaced on this, seeing as Venom frontman Cronos has been known to show up at Spinelli's old LasagnaFarm project from time to time. But if you needed further proof about the supremacy of the Manta, please note that Venom, who likely were attempting to be the scariest band in the world, manned their guitar chair with a bloke who called himself "Mantas" for a period of 25 years. One Manta may be poop-yer-pants awesome, but to really welcome the kids to hell, you need a bunch of 'em. Yep. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Manta - der Stadt!

Oh man. Where's our fruit hat? We're scamming a ticket to Ecuador from an unsuspecting produce wholesaler, just to get all immersed in the country's third-most-economically important city. A city, of course, named for Rüsselheim's most important export, the Opel Manta. Plus, it's got the largest seaport in the country, which makes it sort of like Pedro. And let's face it, harbors + Mantas + fruit hats? How can one possibly go wrong? Wait, wait, don't tell us. We don't want to know. We just want to listen to late-Ozzy-era Sabbath and Mantasize. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Rover, Schmover! An LS1 Manta!

According to this righteous Manta's owner, regardling the 3.5L Rover V8, "This is a rather lazy engine which is ready to be removed from the car." And that's just what this wacky Norwegian did, getting permission from the authorities to swap in the LS1 from a Firebird. Now we're thinking dry-sump. Now we're thinking over 400 inches of displacement. Now we're going all batshit-googly-eyed over the idea of an LS7 Manta. Mmmm... – Davey G. Johnson More »

Must-Have Manta Accessory: Kustom Lufthutze!

If you're a classy fella looking to impress the frauleins with your distinctive sense of style, you can't go wrong by attaching this beautiful scoop to the hood of your Manta. Be sure to install it using drywall screws! Sorry, matching wing not included. We can feel bristly blond Teutono-Mullets sprouting on our domes, just by looking at this thing! – Murilee Martin More »

Engine Swap of the Day: V8 Manta!

How about this right-hand-drive, Rover-powered early Opel Manta? Not only does the body boast the best of Der General's styling, the interior has been upgraded with the addition of tasteful red-and-black upholstery. And since the Rover SD1 engine is technically a GM product, there's no cross-manufacturer blasphemy involved! – Murilee Martin More »

Isle of Manly, Isle of Manta

Besides siring the legendary Colin, Jimmy McRae was quite a rally artist in his own right. His weapon of choice? The Opel Manta 400. The course? The Isle of Man. Rally geeks and Mantafarhrer unite! – Davey G. Johnson More »

eBay Find! Discriminating Mantafahrers Pas Auf!

You call yourself a Mantafahrer, son? You can't be a true Manta Man without a foxtail hanging fron your aerial, and eBay seller 21clock has just the thing to replace your cruelly severed foreskin! Yes, it's a gen-u-wine taxidermied foxtail, and it's apparently already met reserve, with bidding at a low, low eight dollars and fitty cent. You owe it to yourself as a driver of GM's finest-ever product to fly one of these. You can call yourself a lone wolf, but you've gotta be crazy like a fox to rock the Manta. Show the world what you're made of! Show them what a real Mantafahrer is all about. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Strap On Your Best Hat! Manta Hoons!

Yes friends, these wacky Germans chose their summer break to wring the snot out of their beater Mantas. But can any car as glorious as the Manta truly ever be called a beater? We think not. Skidding steeds a-plenty herein. Crack a smile, grow out the back of your hair. Feel the love. Manta love. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Mantana!

We totally apologize for Rob Thomas. Turn the sound off and pick a track of your choice. "Oye Como Va" or something. And then sit back and dream of Rüsselheim's finest creation. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Govnot! 'Manta Manta,' The Song!

Although we've briefly visited the former Yugoslav nation, we only know precisely one word in Serbian — "govnot," a synonym for the German "scheiße." A friend of our dad's had it on his Camaro's license plate back in the '80s. Then some old Serb lady called the DMV and complained. He had to turn it in. In any event, here's Serbian pop star Ceca singing "Manta Manta." We have no idea if said song has anything to do with sporty coupes based on the Opel Ascona, but we do know that the Serbian Sexy Dancers could take some choreography lessons from Keenan's Fly Girls. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Adam vs. Enzo — More 'Manta Manta'

Wherein two of our absolute favorite automobiles of the 1980s go head to head in a duel to the death. Also, we feel vaguely wrong for thinking the Mantafahrer's girlfriend is somehow ridiculously sexy, Jersey mall hair, cracking gum and all. We try to get out of the Central Valley; it pulls us back in! – Davey G. Johnson More »

Father of the Manta: Ascona!

The Opel Ascona spawned the much-beloved Manta, and while in the 1980s, the Ascona became part of GM's J platform scam along with the Cimarron, Firenza and a whole host of other craptastic appliances, the Manta held onto its legacy, refusing to release its grip on sweet, sweet RWD. Here we have an Ascona B, the second generation car. And a German napping in its trunk. Wacky, wacky Teutons. – Davey G. Johnson More »

...Or Choose Your Fate and Die!

Here's what happens when E-Class dorks screw with Mantas and angry, James-May-Coiffed 308/328 drivers. Note to E-Class asshats: you're doomed. Love, Los Jalopniks. – Davey G. Johnson More »

'Oh Nein. Die Mantas.' 'Manta Manta' Ladies!

While Manta - Der Film is truly one of the classics of European cinematic history, much like Skywalker, there was another Manta movie. It's called Manta Manta and your face will be summarily rocked off. If it is not, we can introduce you to some mulleted cannibals interested in consuming your visage. The choice is yours. Either way, much like Jerry Garcia, Los Jalops have stolen your face. Sorry 'bout that. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Toss the Kadett Watch, the Oceanus Manta is Here!

We have friends who — along with their automotive fetishes — are watch geeks. Even poor schlubs with roommates. They flip over watches. They have a watch budget. They buy and sell them on eBay. We, on the other hand, are not so concerned with watches, although we wouldn't mind having a TAG Heuer or an understated vintage Rolex. Oddly enough our new dream watch comes from Casio. The just-released Oceanus Manta (Manta, people! Manta!) retails for more money than we can afford, but it'd look awesome on our wrist as we torpedoed down the backroads around Hahn, Germany in our Opel ponycar, foxtail flying from the antenna. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Mantasm!

We really don't care if the Opel Manta is considered the IROC-Z of Europe. We don't, we don't, we don't. Because we in our aging post-hipster wisdom simply think it's one of the coolest cars ever made. Rust? Suckage? Doesn't matter. It's a goddamn Manta, people. A turbo-dorifto-hoon Manta? Well, that's even better. Hit play and get rocked by Jack White, Meg White and Adam Opel. Ride the lightning, children. Ride it like it's freakin' Seabiscuit. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Opel Manta + 280ZX + Toyota Truck + Keyword Spam = $2000!

What do you do when you have three (barely) running project cars and no motivation to fix them? Put 'em all in one big deal and make a Craigslist package deal! We're looking at a '74 Opel Manta, an '80 Toyota pickup, and an '83 Datsun 280ZX here; sure, the photos are a bit uninformative (though numerous) and we must say the massive block of keyword spam is a bit off-putting, but what the hell. Note: please don't flag the referenced craigslist post for the sin of keyword spam until later tonight, so that everyone here who wants to take a look can see it. – Murilee Martin More »

Mein Gott! Manta, Der Film!

We haven't even seen Manta: Der Movie yet, but we can tell right away it ranks up near the top of the official Jalopnik Seal-O-Approval All Time Greatest Car Movies Ever Freakin' Made List. Come on, a cheesy Deutschesploitation flick full of Opel Mantas with raccoon-tail antennae? Here's the trailer... More »

Mantamino, Won't You Come Out Tonight?

We're not quite as big on this Mantamino as we were on the rally-look rendition we posted on a while back, but a Mantamino's still a Mantamino, and even with the amateur-hour flame job, it adds just the right je ne sais quois to a leather-pants-and-mustache ensemble. [Thanks to Vega for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson More »

Cojones of Stone: Vatinen/Harriman/Manta 400

In 1983, there will be a practically Formula Libre rallying class known as "Group B." We hear Opel is already working on a car to compete, to be tentatively known as the Manta 400. Here we have some conjecture, created by optical-compositing specialists of two men, named here, for convenience's sake, Ari Vatanen and Terry Harriman. Our unparallelled technical artists even added in an amazing near miss, such is the glory and strength of Jalopnik's compositing lab. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Ad Watch: Leaked Opel Manta Spot: Sportlich!

Sent to us by an operative embedded deep in the R sselsheim offices of Schloss, Schnitzel, Aluminum und Schteel — Opel's Werbungsb ro of record — the piece follows the joy of a young man named Egon, der einen neuen Wagen hast. Said automobile? None other than the 1970 Opel Manta, which we just showed you for the first time less than an hour ago. Truly, this is a great day for Jalopnik, and no doubt, portends a great future for European motoring. Remember, you saw it here first. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Jalopnik Breaks the Opel Manta Embargo!

We generally have a policy here at Jalopnik that we're not to be the guys with the Bangalore torpedo up against an embargo's wall, although we'll leap through the gaping maw as quickly as possible; sometimes even before the smoke clears, dodging falling concrete and hot, twisted rebar as we hustle through. However, we're here to tell you that for 1970, Opel is launching an Ascona-based sport coupe called the Manta that we predict will be culturally significant for decades to come in Europe. In fact, it may even follow the Kadett onto American shores. Sorry, GM. Your veil of secrecy is no match for tha Mighty Jalop — to wit, we've uncovered this supersecret PR photo illustrating the vehicle's sporting nature and bikini-girl-attracting potential. Consider yourselves on notice. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Cake Taken, Cake Eaten: The Mantamino!

We've mentioned our longstanding love of the Opel Manta before. We don't care if they're crap. We love the Manta for the pure essence of its Manta-ness. But when some guy goes to the trouble of building a rally-style Manta with a pickup bed and paints it metallic lavender? At that point, we're officially in love. We would unashamedly drive this car to the White House, 10 Downing Street, the Kremlin, the Kennedy Compound or on the deck of the USS Enterprise. This, friends, is a Camino worthy of worship. [Thanks to Brad for the tip.] More »