Opel launched the Manta A in September 1970, just before the release of the Opel Ascona, the family car it was based on. It was a two-door coupé with a sleek design, featuring round taillights that looked a lot like those on the Opel GT. Interestingly, Opel took inspiration from the 1961 Manta Ray concept car, which also played a role in shaping the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3. The General Motors connection between Chevrolet and Opel made sure of that.
In the UK, the Manta A was sold strictly as an Opel—Vauxhall didn’t get its own version until 1975, when the Manta B1 arrived. At the time, Ford dominated the affordable sports coupé market with the Capri, while Vauxhall tried (with limited success) to compete using the Firenza, based on the aging Viva.
The Manta A came with a variety of engine options, mostly in the 1.6 to 1.9-liter range. The smallest, a 1.2-liter engine, was exclusive to continental Europe. In the US, Opel kept things simple by offering only the 1.9-liter engine. You could get a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.
One thing the Manta A was known for? Handling. It was one of the best-handling cars of its class, and its impressive road manners made it a favorite in both European and American rally scenes.
Variants & Special Editions
Opel released several trim versions, with the Berlinetta being one of the most popular. It came with a vinyl roof, rubber bumper trim, and some extra styling touches. But if you wanted real performance, the 1975 GT/E was the one to have. Featuring a fuel-injected 1.9-liter engine, it packed serious punch for its time. Special editions like the “Black Magic” (with a plaid interior) and the “Swinger” model added even more personality.
Opel Manta A Engine Specifications
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12S
- Displacement: 1196 cc (I4)
- Power: 60 PS (44 kW) @ 5400 RPM
- Torque: 88 Nm (65 lb-ft) @ 3000 RPM
- Production: 1972–1975
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16N
- Displacement: 1584 cc (I4)
- Power: 68 PS (50 kW) @ 5200 RPM
- Torque: 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) @ 3400 RPM
- Production: 1970–1975
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16S
- Displacement: 1584 cc (I4)
- Power: 80 PS (59 kW) @ 5200 RPM
- Torque: 118 Nm (87 lb-ft) @ 3800 RPM
- Production: 1970–1975
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19S
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 90 PS (66 kW) @ 5100 RPM
- Torque: 145 Nm (107 lb-ft) @ 3600 RPM
- Production: 1971–1975
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19S (USA) (1971–1972)
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 90 PS (67 kW) @ 5200 RPM
- Torque: 150 Nm (111 lb-ft) @ 3400 RPM
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19S (USA) (1973–1974)
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 75 PS (56 kW) @ 4800 RPM
- Torque: 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) @ 3400 RPM
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19E (GT/E)
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 105 PS (77 kW) @ 5400 RPM
- Torque: 153 Nm (113 lb-ft) @ 4200 RPM
- Production: 1974–1975
- Fuel Injected
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19S (49-state USA)
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 81 PS (60 kW) @ 5000 RPM
- Torque: 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) @ 2200 RPM
- Production: 1975
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19S (California)
- Displacement: 1897 cc (I4)
- Power: 77 PS (57 kW) @ 5000 RPM
- Torque: 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) @ 2200 RPM
- Production: 1975
- California emissions regulations
The Manta in the US
Selling the Manta in the US was a different ballgame. Unlike in Europe, Opel didn’t have its own dealership network in America, so GM sold its cars through Buick dealerships. The Manta A, introduced in the US in 1971, was branded as the “1900 Sport Coupé” or “1900 Rallye” at first. It wasn’t until 1973 that the “Manta” nameplate was officially added.
Despite being a European car, the US version of the Manta had some differences. All models came with the larger 1.9-liter engine and a heavy-duty radiator (which was an optional upgrade in Europe). The Rallye edition, available from 1971 to 1974, featured a black hood, fog lamps (on earlier models), a stiffer suspension setup, and a tighter turning radius—making it even more fun to drive.
There was also the Luxus model (1973–74), which focused on comfort with corduroy seats, wood paneling, and color-coordinated interiors. A rare special edition, the 1973 “Blue Max,” came with a dark blue vinyl roof, mechanical sunroof, and automatic transmission.
Like many cars of the era, the Manta suffered from tightening emissions regulations. Initially, the US-spec 1.9-liter engine made a respectable 90 horsepower, but by 1973, thanks to a lower compression ratio, it dropped to 75 hp. That decline hurt sales—people wanted a car that performed as well as it looked.
By 1975, all US-market Mantas received Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection to meet emissions standards, but that was the final year for Opel in America. GM stopped importing Opels, replacing them with rebadged Isuzu models sold as the “Opel by Isuzu” and later, “Buick Opel.”
The Rare and Wild Turbomanta
One of the rarest and coolest versions of the Manta was the Turbomanta. Only 33 were ever made—five prototypes and 28 production models. Built by British tuning company Broadspeed, the Turbomanta was based on a 1973 SR model with a 1.9-liter engine. But thanks to a Holset 3LDG turbocharger, output jumped from 90 hp to 156 hp—huge numbers for the time. The 0–60 mph sprint took just 7.6 seconds.
All five prototype cars were painted in bright sunflower yellow with bold “Turbomanta” side stripes. But while it was fast, the fuel consumption was brutal, and the cost of production was too high. Opel scrapped the project, leaving these 33 cars as rare collector’s items today.
