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Since 07/08/02

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Manta B/C History

Manta B (1975 - 1982)

In 1975 Opel replaced the Manta A with the larger B series. It was based on the basic underpinnings of the Opel saloon, the Ascona(Vauxhall Cavalier mk1).

It started off being available as a coupe only, like the a series but in 1978 they introduced the combi-coupe, which was a 3dr hatchback version. Engine options were the 1.6s 75 bhp and the 1.9 90bhp but in 1978 the 1.9 was replaced by the 2l 100bhp engine. Again the gearboxes were either 4spd manual or 3spd auto. Various trim levels were available, with things like alloy wheels etc being fitted. The B series was 14ft 8.7"long,5ft4.7" wide and 4ft4.4" high, with the hatch version only altering slightly.
It ran until 1982 when the whole range was facelifted and the Manta c Series was introduced......

Manta C (1982 - 1989)

Known as the manta C in this country to its fans, this title was never actually an official name for the face lifted manta B.

The Manta C was basically a face lifted B series, again available as coupe and hatchback versions. The car was fitted with plastic front spoiler and a plastic rear bumper. The chrome strips around the windows were replaced with black items, the grille had now become a 4 slot item instead of the 2 slot B series grille and the headlights had become slightly larger. There were other exterior differences to the B series, mainly cosmetic.
The interiors had changes in trim materials etc but the differences weren't so visible until you got the high level GTE spec with its Recaro seats etc.
We had a new engine line up as well, with 2 options available (with some high performance specials also available). There was the 1.8 engine which unlike previous Mantas was an overhead cam unit from the GM 'family' range of engines. The other engine was a development of the CIH unit found in the previous models. It was a 2 litre unit but was now running an injection system rather than a carb, bringing the power up to 110 bhp.
Other parts of the car were tweaked, with different brake parts and various adjustments made. Wheel options were new, with 13" steel and alloy wheels on the 1.8 models and 14" alloys on the GTE.
The car sizes were pretty much the same as the B series.

The Manta Exclusive started life as an Irmscher special edition that was avaiable in late 1986/1987(D reg) . It came with Twin headlights, different rear bumper and a Manta 400 style boot spoiler. The stickers were in different colours and the wheels were sprayed in anthracite (except on black cars). The first Exclusives were all GTE's, both Coupes and Hatches being made. The model proved popular with the mild face lift, and it was soon to become the main model. Although the Hatchback version was dropped in GTE form, it was continued as an 1800 GT version which was the same as the base GT model but came with the twin headlights and rear bumper modification. The coupe was as before, the only difference being that the later factory models were supplied with green tint windows rather than brown. Engine specs were as per standard GTE 2L cih and standard GT 1.8L ohc spec. Brakes, suspension etc all stayed the same as well.
The Exclusive ran on until 1989, when tragically the Manta range ceased with the introduction of the Cavalier Mk3 (Vectra Mk1) and was later replaced by the Calibra.

Taken from the OMOC site.