Inventory Listing

1972 German Opel Manta A model 57R, Rallye, 4 speed Manual Transmission, same owner last 43 years.

One our owner’s cars, this beautiful and reliable modded Opel has traveled on several cross-country trips to SEMA in Vegas and Bilstein Corp meetings in La Jolla, CA from Wichita, KS, as well as family vacation trips.

A complete performance engine build with dual Weber 45 DCOEs, ported big valve cylinder head, Norris camshaft, Jahns pistons, Deves rings, Glyco tri metal engine bearings and all rotating assemblies have been fine balanced including lightened flywheel and H-D F&S clutch, 3 core stagger tube radiator, ceramic coated headers, electric low pressure fuel pump, A/C with modern compressor, Jacobs ignition, Bilstein shocks, larger front and rear sway bars, period Benneton F1 steering wheel, Corbeau seats, custom 15” 3pc OZ wheels with Yokohama S-Drive tires, larger brakes, 4 speed transmission with perfect syncros, 3:64 rear diff, beautiful polyurethane Fire Glow paint in factory color, with satin black hood and painted side stripes with clear coat, Kamei rear spoiler, Flex Dam front spoiler, Cibie’ headlamps with protectors, Marchal air horns, Autoplas TUV approved rear window louver, Vitaloni outside mirrors, Wink inside rear view mirror, remote alarm system. One weakness on these cars can be where the front upper control arms attach, this is rare and typically shows up only on cars that are exercised hard. While this car did not have this issue, in interest of longevity we reinforced the front subframe which is shown in some of the suspension photos with blue arrows.

Of note in the 1970s the Opel 1900 Manta coupe, was banned from the Sports Car Club of America, ‘SCCA”, showroom stock racing. The agile Manta was deemed uncompetitive for having an ‘unfair advantage’. Problem was the reliable Opel dominated most races due to the excellent balance of the car. The Opel’s chassis, steering, brakes and aerodynamics was superb for the day and power was adequate in stock form.

There is a group of US Opel enthusiasts that are quite knowledgeable both in stock and modified Opels. Parts are also available new from quality suppliers and used from both individuals and businesses.

Recent service in past 6 months: new trunk seal, tires balanced, engine compartment fuel lines and filter, Webers jets and passageways cleaned and synchronized, sway bar bushes lubricated, engine, trany and differential fluids serviced with Redline synthetics, coolant changed, new brake master cylinder and all brake lines flushed, new battery and A/C charged with R134.

Subframe reinforcement and front jack point replacements, new Kumo spare tire.