1980 Opel Manta 'i240 GTE'

This Manta is registered as a GT/J & the vendor reckons the previous owner spent the best part of six grand on modifications. This motor comes with a Vauxhall GSR twin cam engine and twin 45 carburettors. It has a pair of high lift cams, which boost the car to 240 BHP. This Manta is also fitted with an Emerald ECU, giving the car the facility for launch control for track days.

This car is showing just over 57,000 miles on the odometer with the vendor’s longest run being a 100-mile round trip around the Peak District. The car was recommissioned last year by the current owner who has done somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 miles in it over the last five years or so. The vendor didn’t highlight any mechanical or electrical issues and explains that: “It puts a smile on your face each time you get in it, it’s a real head turner and people always wave and put a thumb up”. As such, he is reluctant to part with it but, as an avid collector, he explained that he has 11 cars, but only one bottom to drive them. He went on to say: “I’ve had my fun with the car and now it’s my time to pass it on for someone else to have a go on it”.

This car is fully rally spec-ed meaning it is set up for all climb racing and track days but it is not FIA log booked. As such, should a prospective buyer be a keen rally enthusiast, they would need to have the car checked and approved but the vendor is confident that it would pass without issue.

This facelifted rear wheel drive Manta still owes much of its running gear to the more mainstream models, such as the Opel Ascona, (or the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK), but the updated styling components made the car look much more 'modern'. The colour-keyed wrap around bumpers, front and rear spoilers and sports wheels gave the car a new look. There are some blemishes on the bodywork, particularly on the passenger door and there is evidence of stone chips on the underside of the nose. The front nose cone sports four small slots, as opposed to the two larger ones of the preceding model. This helped to improve cooling efficiency and also made the car an imposing sight in your rear-view mirror. In all the Manta had come of age and was considered by many to be at the forefront of Coupe design and technology.

The Manta’s electrics are straightforward as they’re so simple - there is no powered windows or air-con to worry about. The vendor is confident that the electrics are in good order and that the gauge readings are accurate, which would indicate that the voltage stabiliser is in working order. The only imperfections worth highlighting are the evidence of rust on the underside of the doors and the inside of the passenger door. It’s encouraging to see that the black bucket seats and door cards are in fine order because finding replacement trim and used parts can be a nightmare.

Mantas can actually be nimbler than the big-lunged V6 Capris thanks to having less weight in the nose. The current owner vouches for the fact that the car runs sweetly and there is no obvious evidence of leakage. The battery tray looks tidy and everything in the engine bay looks to be in its right and proper place.

Rust is a well-known issue with Mantas, but generally there does not seem to be anything too untoward on the underside of this motor. That being said, there is some surface rust and bubbling around the sills and door bottoms. The washer bottle and arches can be weak points, but there does not seem to be any obvious red flags here. The floorpan looks tidy however the jacking points and tailgate rubbers might warrant closer inspection.

The car comes with two sets of keys and a bundle of paperwork that the vendor needs to dig out. The owner is not convinced that the service history is complete, though the log book details the number of previous keepers. The car had its fuel lines changed when it was MOT-ed earlier this year (the vendor believes it either took place in February or March 2022) where the car also benefited from an engine overhaul and service.

Pre-1982 cars like this one are cherished and sought-after by many for the purity and simplicity of their design. Not surprisingly the Manta collected quite a few bouquets in its day. Autocar magazine said: "....it provides a typically refined GM package at a price which is more than competitive with its rivals.... in the performance car value-for-money stakes, the Manta GTE is now one of the front runners." Motor magazine gave the Manta the thumbs-up with: "It's still hard to think of any rival that can match it's combination of practicality, roominess and stylish looks, let alone its new found economy and refinement. On top of that, it's damn good fun thanks to punchy performance, an exquisite gearchange, and terrific handling”.

As such, we think a prospective buyer will have to part with somewhere between £16,000 - £23,000 to make this car theirs.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.