![]() ![]() We are delighted to have been asked to offer this very special 1984 GM Dealer Sport Opel Manta 400, a rare and storied rally car with an impressive history. ![]() This was particularly the case in the British, Irish and German National Championships where local star drivers like Jimmy McRae, Russel Brookes, Austin MacHale and Erwin Weber won their share of titles whilst driving Mantas. The Manta B400, however, proved to be a major contender in national rallies where the level of competition was more even and featured similar machinery. The only highlight was a third-place podium finish at that year’s RAC Rally in the capable hands of Jimmy Mc Rae. With a raft of further improvements, the Manta 400 was ultimately more competitive than its predecessor, however, in its inaugural 1983WRC season, the Manta was instantly outclassed and could only watch the fight between Audi and Lancia without being able to truly impose itself. It was also a bit longer and lower and, to further help distribute the weight, the engine was moved back around six cm. Unlike the Ascona 400, the Manta made full use of Kevlar body panels the front panel, front wings, hood, doors, rear arches, boot lid, spoiler and even headlight holders are all made from the lightweight material, saving a total of 80 kg. Opel’s use of a conventional rear-wheel drive production car would, however, render it almost instantly obsolete when faced with the four-wheel drive, money-no-object Group B competition from other major manufacturers. In mid-1983, as part of GM’s continued International Motorsport branding effort, Opel officially made the transition into Group B from the Group 4 Ascona B 400 with its upgraded, sister car, the Manta B 400. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |