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Opel Manta 400
from www.mantaclub.org
Produced From: (1981-84)
Total Number Produced: 245
Specifications
Road Car Rally Car
Length overall (in)
Width overall (in)
Height overall (in)
Wheelbase (in)
Track front (in)
Track rear (in)
Turning circle dia (ft)
Kerb weight (cwt)
Tyre sizes 195/60VR14, 205/50VR15 (optional), 225/50VR15 (with optional bodykit)
Engine 4 cylinder CIH with aluminium crossflow cylinder head with twin overhead valves
Number of cylinders 4 4
Bore mm (in) 95mm 95mm
Stroke mm (in) 85mm 85mm
Piston displacement cc (cu in) 2410cc 2410cc
Fuel Injection/Carburettors Bosch L Jetronic 2 x Weber DCOE 50 carburettors (in phase 3 form 48's on the phase 2 engine)
Max. output (SAE hp at rpm) 144bhp (106kW) at 5,200rpm 275bhp at 7,200rpm
Max. torque (ft/lb. at rpm) 155lbft (210Nm) at 3,800rpm 220lbft (300Nm) at 5,200rpm
Compression ratio
Engine (refill) (imp pt)
Fuel Tank (imp gallon)
Transmission 9" single plate with a dry clutch plate and a diaphragm (Belleville type) spring, Getrag 5 spee
gearbox, indirect top gear Twin plate clutch, Getrag 5 speed gearbox, direct top gear, driving a heavy duty rear axle with ZF limited slip differential
Body 2 door coupe with optional body kit
consisting of Irmscher front wings with wheel arch extensions, side skirts, rear wings, a three-piece rear spoiler and twin headlamps* (*but only for the Manta B, 1982 - 1984) all in ABS plastic 2 door
coupe with integral roll cage and sump guard. Kevlar bonnet, boot lid, front wings, doors and all spoilers.
Front suspension Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers
Rear suspension Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers
Steering
Brakes Servo disk/drum
Overview
The Manta 400 was the most significantly different model available during the eighties. It was built around the general
Manta bodyshell but several modifications were made to improve roadholding .
The 400 first became available late in the life of the 'Pre facelift' Manta. Some very early 400's can be found with
the 'two slot' front panel, although the majority were built after 1981 and featured the new 4 slot front end. Very few Right hand drive 'road' models exist, they were mostly imported to the UK for
rallying purposes. The 1982 FIA regulations required a manufacturer to produce 200 examples in order to homologate a car for group B rallying. Manta 400's were built between 1981 and 1984 and their
production numbers were as follows:
YEAR NUMBER COMMENT
1981 23 Manta B (pre-face lift)
1982 80 Manta B (post face-lift)
1983 140
1984 2
Giving a total of 245 road cars for all of Europe.
The bodykit was an option which, if required, was fitted by Irmscher. Otherwise it looked the same as a GT/E coupe or even a pre face-lift Manta B coupe.
The car was available in
white or silver.The Manta 400 Interior, in Road trim, followed on with the traditional Irmscher theme using Recaro seats with the same black 'Opel Sport' cloth as featured in the other models. The standard coupe bodystyle was changed significantly with the addition of integral flared arches and extended front spoiler. Larger wheels were fitted to fill out the wheel arches.
Some road models were produced without the wheel arch extensions, which made the initial outline very similar to a standard GT/E. Only at the traffic lights did the differences become apprarent !
It was in the Rally stages that the Manta 400 was perhaps at its best. Some of the worlds best known drivers during the eighties, sat behind the wheel of a 400. The rivalry between Jimmy McRae
and Russel Brookes kept many enthusiasts enthralled for several seasons. McRae driving the AC Delco and Brookes the Andrews Heat for Hire 400. The Manta 400 made its competition debut in 1983, at the
Tour of Corsica Rally.
It should be blatently apparent if you ever come across a Manta 400, although they are extremely rare nowadays. The twin cam engine and the independant rear suspension
should be proof enough of an original.
Identifying Features
2410cc Fuel Injected engine (Road).
2410cc Twin Carb engine (Rally).
High Lift Cam with Solid Lifters
Sports Distributor
Recaro seats with Opel Sport Cloth Trim
Irmscher Leather steering wheel (option)
400 Graphics
Irmscher full Rally body kit (optional)
Four Halogen Headlamps
Manta 400 rear spoiler
Green tinted glass
Opening rear quarter windows
Stainless Steel Sports Exhaust
The Right Hand Drive 400
When the
400s finished rallying in 1987, it was put into store at the GM Sport workshops in Northampton. There it remained until being saved by the Vauxhall dealer, Thorlby Motors, in Lincs. Fully restored back
to all its glory, it is now in the safe hands of Tom.
It is based on a Manta B 400 with the 2.4 16v engine. Compared with the Ascona 400, it has an "overdrive" indirect fifth gear, which
gives greater top speed. The car is finished in Polar White with the door stripes. A full Irmscher bodykit is fitted, including the rear spoiler. Wheels are 8Jx15 Ronal at the front with 10Jx15 at the
rear. The car has a spotless Opel Blitz interior and has just under 20,000 miles on the clock. What sort of price is a car like this? Well, as I said, it is the only one of its kind and is therefore
priceless! Tom has no intention of selling his big arched monster; he has been after it for over 10 years.
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