Opel Manta 1.8S Berlinetta

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Designed by GM’s Chuck Jordan, Opel launched its first Manta in 1970, a sporting coupe version of the accomplished Ascona saloon.

Like Ford, GM had been looking into the market for cars aimed more at ‘the individual’. Ford had come up with the Capri (with shades of the Mustang), while Opel’s car carried echoes of GM’s muscle car equivalent, the Camaro.

The long-nosed Manta A was offered with three four-cylinder engine options, from a 68bhp 1.2 to a 90bhp 1.9-litre. Setting the trend for following Mantas, there were several levels of sportiness and trim specification; the SR/Rallye with more comprehensive instrumentation and sports wheels, and the more luxurious Berlinetta with fancier trim, head rests and a vinyl roof.

In 1975, the second series (Manta B) was launched, based again on the newly redesigned Opel Ascona. The Manta B took many of its styling cues from the Chevrolet Monza of the same year, doing away with the split radiator grill in favour of a ‘droop-snoot’ nose similar to the Vauxhall Cavalier. The new model also lost the thick rear roof pillar and had a generally more airy cabin.

For 1982 it was face-lifted yet again to become the Manta B2, with sleeker wraparound bumpers, front and rear spoilers, and all brightwork replaced with fashionable matt black. A new 90bhp 1.8-litre engine from GM’s ‘Low End Torque’ range was also available. Known to be one of the best handling cars in its class, the Manta went on to win many rallies across Europe and the USA.

Despite being superior to the Capri in every department and better engineered to boot, it never really caught on with its target market in Britain, who perversely preferred the workaday Dagenham bling of the Capri to the sophistication of the foreign-sounding Opel. With great balance, rear wheel-drive, a five-speed box and a gutsy engine it was, and remains, a great driver’s car and the few survivors are increasingly sought after today.

This June 1985 registered 1.8S Berlinetta has covered just 18,000 miles from new in the hands of two owners, the vendor having acquired it in 2007. A professional car mechanic, he has always maintained the Manta himself, treating it to a full glass-out repaint in the original silver in 2009. A new set of Uniroyal tyres, new shock absorbers and a new exhaust were also fitted in 2010.

Otherwise in outstandingly original condition throughout, the car came Second in Class at the Billing Vauxhall Opel show in 2010 (despite being widely acclaimed the best car by bemused onlookers). Supplied with a good history file including all its original handbooks and various old MOTs to substantiate the mileage, it is said to drive superbly with an MOT until September 2015.

One of only around 200 Berlinettas still registered in the UK, according to DVLA figures, this is a sure-fire collector’s car of the future. Probably the best example out there (Billing result notwithstanding), it looks mighty tempting at the sensible guide price suggested.