![]() The European market had a number of different versions. The Manta was known to be one of the best-handling cars in its class and went on to win a large number of rallies in Europe and the United States. The Manta came with either a four-speed manual or a three-speed TH-180 automatic. In the United States, only the largest, 1.9-litre, engine was offered. The Manta was normally equipped with a 1.6 or a 1.9-litre CIH engine, although in continental Europe, a small, 1.2-litre, motor was also offered. (In the UK the Ford Capri niche was contested, with only limited success, by Vauxhall's Firenza, based on the ageing Vauxhall Viva until 1975.) The Vauxhall and Opel models were subsequently sold side by side. In the UK market, the first Manta was sold only as an Opel: there was no Vauxhall-branded Manta (or Ascona) until after the launch, in 1975, of the Manta B1 and Ascona B as the Mark 1 Cavalier coupe and sports hatch (Manta) and saloon (Ascona). It took its name, and a few minor styling cues, from the Manta Ray concept car (1961), which also famously influenced the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (both Chevrolet and Opel had General Motors as their parent company). A competitor to the Ford Capri, it was a two-door "three-box" coupé, and featured distinctive round tail lights, quite similar to those on the Opel GT and which in fact were used on the GT in 1973, its final model year. Imported to the UK and also restored to show condition alongside RM30.The Manta A was released in September 1970, two months ahead of the then new Opel Ascona on which it was based. Ultimately returned to the factory and re-worked to Safari specification and used as a practice/chase car for RM30 during the 1985 event. ![]() Used by Ari Vatanen on the 1000 Lakes and RAC in 1983. This unique car is supplied complete with extensive history files including period documentation, signed photographs and full details of the restoration and specification.Īlso available is chassis number RM22, which was an early 1983 car built for the World Championship and was hence a full works car. ![]() Rauno Aaltonen and period Manta mechanics were consulted during this process, all helping to certify the originality of this car and give advice on suspension settings to put the car in its original Safari Rally specification. The restoration work has been been fully documented and photographed, uniquely retaining all of the car's original (chassis numbered) components. Discovered in Tansania by its owner the car was imported to the UK and professionally restored to show condition. Following this the car was retired and stored in Africa. ![]() RM30 subsequently finished 11th in the 1986 Safari, driven by Basil Criticos, and was then used in 7 events in the 1988 Kenyan National Championship, driven by Sarbi Rai. After leading the event he suffered an engine fire and after some hours repairing the car finally finished in 4th position. Rauno was the main development driver for the Opel works team during the transition from the Ascona 400 to the lighter Manta 400, and this car was built to his own specifications. It was the only purpose built factory Safari spec car built by Opel and was specifically prepared for Rauno Aaltonen to have his final attempt at winning the event for the factory. Chassis number RM30 is a significant part of world rallying history.
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