£2,519-£3,040 circa 1976
After sales of half a million, the Manta coupe is redesigned with similar suspension, braking and steering improvements to the Ascona. The new body has a front air dam and a protective roll arch which incorporates outlets for the heater-ventilation. Both Manta and Ascona have more powerful engines, steel-belted radial tyres heated rear window, fuel tank over the rear axle. L versions have head restraints and inertia harness. In the late 1960s. Opel set out to transform its dull family-car image “immediate throttle response”

An important weapon in that fight came in the shape of the fast, fine-handling and attractive Manta, which was an instant success.

Mantas have the performance to match the looks. Maximum power may be only 75 bhp. but the engine is smooth and has lots of low-down torque giving immediate throttle response . The four-speed transmission is quick in action and the clutch is light, la best feature is the way it handles: almost neutral with mild understeer The steering is accurate and there is next to no roll, even through quick corners.

Black vinyl bucket seats and deeply set gauges convey a true 1970’s feel. An automatic transmission was an extra option.