83 Ford Capri Vs 84 Opel Manta '80s Face Off Goes for a Drive

[@garysteadman1236]

I owned a 2.0 litre S Capri and several others, I then bought a brand new Manta GTE in gold, the one with the boot rather than hatchback. Whilst my heart is always with the Capri I know from my own experience living with both cars in what was West Germany at the time, the Manta was the better car in every way. Watching this video I realise now, how basic they were ..... no Abs, traction control, etc. My Manta had the steel manual sunroof. My main memory was that you could tell when the service was due on the Manta as the engine started to get a bit lumpy and the power dropped off. I used to think it was lightening quick....Great memories, thanks for a great video.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

I loved the look of the Manta, but for me my 1981 MK3 3.0 S in Forest Green Metallic and vinyl roof with some sensible but tasty upgrades was the best.

[@johnbroadmeadow5433]

What a small world. That very Capri used to be my neighbours car for many many years. The elderly lady bought it from new and used it sparingly for local runs to the shop and back, and collect and deliver Avon sales. Sadly as she got older the car lived most of its life parked up in her garage. I had exactly the same car as hers, and of the same age and model, but as mine was used and abused it rotted away into oblivion. Sadly she passed away and the car was duly sold on. Good to see it again though in fine fettle 👍

[@matty6848]

Wow John that’s crazy. I bet you was shocked when you recognised the car?!

[@johnbroadmeadow5433]

It was a bit of a supprise to see it again.. Back in the mid 90s I dropped a few hints to the owners son I would like to of bought it but his mum wouldn't part with it.. In hind sight I probably did this car a favour, as its still immaculate and most likely wouldn't of been under my ownership

[@matty6848]

@@johnbroadmeadow5433 lol. Nothing like a bit of honesty John😂

[@tomldaily6935]

Great to hear about these storys. Cars do have a life of there own and the Internet brings it all together what are the chances.

[@danielball7595]

Wow! That is a small world, I would love to have this car in my Capri collection as it's in lovely condition, completely original and low mileage. Sadly this car has never found a loving home since your neighbour owned it. As it's constantly being sold from trader to trader and never really finding that right person who's going to cherish it. I've lost count the amount of times this car has come up for sale in recent years. There's even it's old advert on car and classic from when a trader in wales had it for sale.

[@mrfairsthename7470]

Slightly unfair comparison as the 1.6 Laser was a plodding mid range offering , a 2.0S , Ghia or a 2.8 inj would have been more the Manta's competition , but you run with what you got .

[@glpilpi6209]

Yes I had two 1.6 pinto models , good for 72 - 74 bhp in the day . Wheezy single barrel Motorcraft carb. The LS was a budget spec engine. The Manta had a 1.8 engine or a 2.0 litre GTE.

[@alanwayte432]

Nothing like stating the very obvious

[@another3997]

I'm sure if you had offered him one, he would have used it. 🙄

[@julianwalls1077]

I agree the 2.0s would have been a better comparison. I owned a Manta gsi 1988 one last made and toured up and down New Zealand on it great car..I often would go on runs with some Capri owners the 2.0gsi would beat a capri 2.8 in the corners but on straights I be left in the dust. The manta was the better drivers car

[@mrfairsthename7470]

Looking back now they were a drivers car because you had to actually drive them , not just sit there and twiddle things . I had three two 1.6 and a 3ltr and they were clapped out bangers , rounding a corner in a 1.6L in the wet the back stepped out and at the same time the drivers seat back collapsed , [the recline adjustment ratchets used to wear] , a few months later the wiggly tail clipped a land rover and sent me in a lurid pirouette up the road smashing bits off , my dazed friend thought we had landed on an entirely different road when it came to a halt , there were boot prints on the sun visor ! , A friend pestered me for the engine and that blew up shortly after . fun times.

[@MGBetts1]

I always thought the MKIII Capri was one of the best face-lifts ever!

[@SandStormPower]

Agreed, looks muscled!

[@MacXpert74]

Yes, I love the round double headlights. Makes it look much more sporty and aggressive compared to the previous model.

[@janvanwees8143]

In my local German diner I can still order a "Manta Dish", being a giant curry sausage on an oblong plate with a mountain of chips and a one inch piece of salat. Just look up "manta-teller", you might also want to see the German movie "Manta Manta".

[@Piotrek4500]

Manta manta!!!

[@furiousdriving]

I sort of want to go there and order that!

[@bennyhannover9361]

Dont forget the foxtail on your antenna!

[@DolleHengst]

​@@bennyhannover9361and a thong hanging from the rear view mirror.

[@lanehogger1532]

The Manta instantly sounded better and you seemed more comfortable in it.also the Manta is cheaper so if I had the space I would buy it over the Capri.

[@Buliwyf621]

The manta is the best equipped, the capri the lowest...

[@howiehamburg1372]

@@Buliwyf621 But the Capri was promoted from TV series "THE PROFESSIONALS" :-D!

[@neoliberalism_sucks]

He should have tested a 2.8 Injection with the recaro half leather interior and limited slip diff. Way more fun to drive! The 1.6 is all show and no go.

[@mattylamb9194]

Manta certainly has a better engine note. Assuming this Capri has the rough old Kent engine. I love the dials on the Capri though within the binnacle

[@glpilpi6209]

I had one of these Capris from the same year , the 1.6 and 2.0 litres were all OHC pintos . The LS was nice but Ford should really have fitted a twin choke carb on the 1.6 to give it a bit more go . I think the later Laser had one on the 1.6

[@MillerCorner]

Can we appreciate how bloody gorgeous that Manta is? 😍

[@saddoncarrs6963]

I'd say the coupe version looks even better.

[@MrGwaldo]

@@saddoncarrs6963 so much better.

[@garykimber1258]

I had a Manta, back in the day, lovely car and wonderful to drive. Easy to drive, even when sideways (which happened a few times). Very comfortable and would love to have one now.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To saddo cars, from Nygel Miller, I used to agree that the non-hatchback looked nicer, until I saw this vivid red one. But now I love them both!

[@ProjectFairmont]

Ah nyet.

[@middleman9183]

I had a Capri 2.0 S for 12 years. Never broke down. I had considered a Manta but the Capri had the fun factor and always put a smile on my face.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

The Capri is beautiful. Had a friend that had a Manta ten years ago, it was impossible to drive around town, every trafic light people came up knocking on the window and wanted to buy it.

[@sallypowers1131]

Manta for me better handling car and build quality..

[@rampantram1]

when you own a car that just to purely service it ie belts oils normal service parts discs pads etc costs what a 5 year old mondeo does to buy 2nd hand you dont tend to get too many people wanting to buy it as its way out their league,All i ever got when driving in a congested town in a 355 spider was is it a kit car of which one good blip of the throttle gave them the answer

[@markspooner16]

@@rampantram1 And your point is? Apart from trying to brag that you have a crappy old Ferrari. Whoop de doo !!! Not relevant to this video . As you say, everyone thinks it's a kit car, so it ain't that impressive is it ya cockwomble !!!

[@marklittler784]

Notice how the indicators are a totally separate entity to the head lamp units far more clearly defined to other road users and usually in the shade of the front bumper away from reflections from the sky, whereas with many modern indicators being incorporated within the angled headlamp units which reflect the sky they're at the least not clearly defined ranging to bordering on the downright dangerous, however a miniscule number of vehicles do have brilliant door mirror indicators.

[@Johncombe69]

I bought a 2.0L manta GTE when I was 19 because my mate beat me to finding a capri and I didn't want to be accused of copying him. Even though the car was 2 years older than I was I loved every minute of owning it. Sadly I was forced to sell it years later when the maintainance eventually grew beyond my means, but I've been in touch with the current owner and he's restored to concourse condition, brings a tear to my eye and he better hope I never win the lottery.

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

After owning three Manta's, of which two were GT/E's, I can can only say.... These were agaile little beauties.

[@sr20trx]

About time a Manta made in onto a British classic car KZbinrs channel! Great video shared around for you 👍

[@Meadows-tg3tv]

I’ve 6 mantas lol 😂 Uk

[@anonymous_bot_bot]

When my brother and I were small, my dad had a company 1977 Capri 2.0GL, then a couple of years later replaced with an Opel Manta berlinetta 1.9. All I really remember was the amount of passive smoking incurred in the back seat.

[@ivan747100]

The two middle switches above the ash-tray in the binnacle of the Capri are for the rear screen-wash & rear screen-wipe functions.

[@AndyK.1]

Exactly. And what he called the washer on the manta was the rear wiper

[@ianallan44]

Manta every time ! Had 4 of them, two 2 litre s/r coupes , a 1.8 s hatch and my fave a gold gt/e coupe , i do like capris but the opel is in my blood 🙂👍

[@kevinnye5132]

For styling and joy of driving it has to be the Manta all the way , it had that air of excitement and so different to what you could buy back then. The Capri was very tinny and even the higher models seemed basic , but I do have a soft spot for it. Both good choices Matt 👌🏻

[@9256steven]

It's the Manta for me, even If they were comparable engine sizes.

[@ametaljag]

The circular Manta vents are very Opel indeed. And iirc very clever, you can rotate them to 'aim' the airflow as you wish.

[@porsche356a]

Matt, my cousin had a A reg white 1.6LS capri just like this one, same interior. I ended up putting an Audioline stereo, graphic equaliser and amp in it for him when he got it and it was 2 years old. I was only 16 and dreamed of my own car. Another friend in London I went to electrical school with, had a 1988 white with yellow/grey striped GT/E manta and he let me drive it home from Acton to Russel Square one night after college. My first drive of a fast car at 18! Lots of nostalgia with this vid. Excellent! Keep it up!.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Never liked the image of the Capri and as a 1.6 it was far too pretentious. But such a well kept example would be tempting to own. Only the 2.8 V6 version makes sense as it at least had the power to live up to the looks if not necessarily the sophistication. Overall, the Manta would be my choice as it seems to be at that sweet spot between having something that's a bit of a modern classic while still being able to keep up with modern cars.

[@cologne2792]

I still prefer the 3.0

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

@Paulie Gualtieri The 1.3 was just too embarrassing to mention. If they'd made a pedal car version it would have been quicker!

[@TheBlaert]

@@daveshongkongchinachannel The 1.3 diff is a highly desirable piece of kit.

[@another3997]

@@daveshongkongchinachannel Why shouldn't people have the option of a cheaper version? It's not as though most owners were taking them on track days or drag racing. Sometimes people buy things just because they like them. Most modern SUVs, despite their looks, have the similar off-road capabilities to a normal family hatch. The ones that can go off-road, usually have normal road tryes and the closest they get to off-road is the gravel on the driveway... but people still buy the hateful things.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

@@TheBlaert I guess the diff becomes more desirable when it's not attached to the Capri!

[@SA-zoom1]

I used prefer the Capri but a booted version of the Manta in black is a beautiful thing.

[@StevesMachines]

With twin spot headlights too.

[@peterboot7120]

@@StevesMachines yup but love my Twinspark 2.0 more 😁💪

[@saddoncarrs6963]

Agreed. I bought a black coupe new in '84.

[@peterboot7120]

@@saddoncarrs6963 the GTE?

[@saddoncarrs6963]

@@peterboot7120 Yep.

[@stevieboyNI]

Love them both but it's got to be the Manta, such a cool car. Well done Matt, good work.

[@allthekingshorses7178]

My mum had an Opel Manta B 1.8 in that red colour, with black wheel covers it certainly looked the part

[@johnrobbo69]

I agree with you Matt, I've owned both and the Manta seemed more refined. Admittedly my 3.0s Capri did try to kill me a couple of times (my fault...I know) but the Manta seemed easier to get back and control. So yes I'd have a Manta again and at the end of the day it's got a cooler name

[@johang7498]

What a lovely first video to view in the better year that will be 2021! In the versions as tested, I think the capri is the sleeker and more stylish car, but if you would place an earlier version of the manta against it (I don't like that 1980s-bodykit so much) I certainly would have difficulty choosing one over the other. Test reports always said the manta was the better handling car, the more sporty one, so it seems a shame that Opel never offered their CIH-6 cylinder-engines, as fitted in the admiral, commodore or monza, in it. There, the capri had an advantage again with all those V6-options, but then, there was its chassis for which the 2 litre-engine seemed more than enough. But like others have commented: in the end, I would be super pleased with either a manta or a capri. Luckily, the time when you could only appreciate one of them, when you were either an Opel/Vauxhall- or a Ford-lover, has passed. Best wishes and keep those videos coming!

[@tz6414]

5.30 am can't sleep , watching car videos. The manta seems a decade younger the ford engines were archaic. Manta had hot hatch performance.

[@callyboy5228]

Mine was a Manta B GT/J with a boot not a tail gate looked stunning,in fact bought it when I was a mechanic for a Ford dealership,still wish I still had that car.

[@kukko83]

Nice one! As a long time Manta B owner, and an Opel enthusiast, it's great to see the appreciation for these cars. I think the Capri looks good too, and I'd love to try one out some day.

[@Dirt-Diggler]

I've owned both and the manta is the better driver, looks wise I can't decide 🤔 Even as a total Ford nut i have to say it 👍

[@yogiguitar1]

the 2.0 manta gte was as fast as the 2.8 injection and it went round corners waaaay better.ive had loads of mantas! one of the best was a 2.2 swap with a stage 3 head and a 4 branch.it went pretty good i can tell you.i also had a white GT/E coupe and a red 1.8 which went pretty good. i as fixing up an exclusive coupe that i modded with princess 4pot calipers up front ,resprayed it was gonna drop the 2.2 motor in it but it then got vandalised by a jealous c - - t. which spoiled it for me.

[@howardsmiller]

"They both have McPherson struts". No they don't. The Manta has double wishbones.

[@seankearney6915]

He will have got confused, because unlike the Cortina the Manta shock absorber came up to the inner wing so a casual look under the bonnet reveals the upper shock mount.

[@THARG67]

After sleeping 3 up in the back of a Capri Ghia with the seats down at a 'Scooter Rally @Gt yarmouth in t'eighties i can confirm that the rear space is more than adequate. Hope this helps ty

[@Banglish123]

Always Vauxhall Opel over Ford for me. I had a Mk1 cavalier which was the same shape as the Manta and I loved it.

[@matty6848]

For me the Opel Manta is definitely the more legendary 80s coupe. Aggressive looking and typically 80s style in your face styling!

[@retroscort2687]

Having owned both cars, a Capri 2.0 and a Manta GTE coupe, I'd have to say that the Manta is superior in almost everyway. It just drives, handles, goes and stops better than the Capri and is much more fun and refined. Having said that, the Capri is great fun too and I preferred the Capris dashboard. Both are great cars.

[@pugpete1]

My dad always had fords (Mexico's, rs2000's, then Sierra's). The Manta is the only non-ford I can remember from my childhood. It was so different from anything else, it got attention everywhere it went. Must have been the better car by quite a margin to lure my dad away from the blue oval. I loved it back then but don't think it aged well though. It's like your first crush, You couldn't take your eyes off her 30 years ago, but you might not think the same if she knocked on your door today. The Capri is like Kylie - looks just as good now as she did back then.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

I have never been a fan of the Capri, but the manta was a car I always wanted, my boss had one when I was an apprentice and he let me drive it once. Although I never got one, I did get an Opel Kadett GSI, which I liked with the digital dash.

[@TheProfessional99]

This is possibly your best ever video Matt. The Manta is a review I’ve wanted to see for literally decades. Thanks so much. Brilliant 🙏🏻

[@Jam3sA]

As I said in the live chat last night, that Manta brings back memories of my stepdads 4x GT/Es in a row. I remember his having headlight wipers & a slide-back sunroof, but they were on D & E plates. I also remember the steering wheel centre pads came off on some of them to reveal metal spokes

[@nicklowe536]

Loved seeing the mantas going through the forests on the lombard rac rally. Great childhood memories

[@pkautorepairs2826]

Just before learning to drive my target was a 2.8 or 3.0 capri (we can all dream!) But always had a strong attraction to a manta. In this head to head Manta all day. Happy new year! And thanks for the Vids esp tinkering ones love them

[@001-j7l]

'1980s coupes go head to head ' erm that's the Hatchback Manta. the Coupe is gorgeous...the Hatchback just looks odd.

[@philnewstead5388]

001 I agree the Coupé was a much better looking car, I always thought the hatch looked like an updated HC Viva estate not unlike my Magnum 2300 Droopsnoot, now there's a car I wish I still had.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

It's also a hatchback capri.

[@gunnarkvinlaug7226]

The Manta came in 1975, but got an update in 1978 and 1982! In 1982 the Ascona had got front wheel drive so the update had more in common with the Rekord. The coupe was way more common and popular.

[@James-oo1yq]

I owned an SR, I think it was W reg 1980. Didn't have it for long but it taught me a lot about RWD handling

[@RichieRouge206]

I do love Capris a lot, but the Manta wins on styling. Great review Matt! Love seeing these classics.. Happy New Year too!

[@sjcuk]

Excellent unbiased review. I've had two Mantas for all the reasons you described. Even down to an Aunt and Uncle having a 1976 Cavalier Sporthatch (same} which they sold as it was too sporty. I went out for a Capri, came home with a Manta, respect to them both. Happy New year.

[@robertcoldham6849]

No Macpherson strut on the Manta, it had double wishbone front suspension

[@silvereith]

And a proper five link coil sprung rear end. Light years ahead of the cart sprung Crapi.

[@boerharms2209]

@@silvereith rear end is not 5 link, the 400's had a commodore 4 link setup, but thats about it. Coil springs are the only big difference with the capri rear end

[@PhantomMark]

@@silvereith Might have been cart springs, but they delivered an exciting and engaging drive in the right hands, 1.6 junk tho, no denial of that.

[@martinfield1484]

@@boerharms2209 yeah it’s 5 link with a pan hard rod

[@seankearney6915]

@@boerharms2209 It isn't a 5 link like the GP4 Escorts it is slightly unusual as it has two lower trailing arms liked to the plates welded to the axles and a Panhard rod across as the axle, but instead of two upper links of a 5 link system it has an extended Torque tube on the nose of the diff which effectively stops the axle twisting while the lower links control fore and aft movement and the panhard rod controls the sideways movement.

[@masonstorm1834]

Thanks for the review, I had a grey Manta GTE Exclusive Irmscher limited edition model back in the early nineties It had the four round headlights which looked more sporting and a more traditional sporting steering wheel

[@AndyK.1]

My aunt had one. E reg in red

[@masonstorm1834]

@@AndyK.1 cool I think mine was a D reg

[@steven907]

I owned 6 manta's 1.8 belinetta coupe , gte hatch back, i200 coupe, and 3 gte exclusive coupe's , and one capri I liked the capri but the manta was different class a drivers car handled brilliant in the dry loads of fun in the wet 👍👌

[@richardhewer335]

As a young lad the capri seemed a little old fashioned in styling, the manta however was the modern head turner.

[@the_monza_man]

You might not know that the Manta gearbox (Getrag) actually has synchromesh on REVERSE! Great for quick 3-point turns!

[@furiousdriving]

Handy for J turns!

[@connashio1]

I drove a 2.0 Cavalier Coupe back in the 80s. It still remains one of my favorite cars. I fitted stiffened and lowered springs with adjustable gas shocks, it handled like it was on rails.

[@antonioercolino6087]

First video of 2021. The manta would be my choice. The previous versions were gorgeous.

[@TheRetroShed]

Love both of those! Take me right back to the 80s. The Manta GTE reminds me so much of my old Mk1 Cavalier. That interior is pretty much identical apart from the sporty steering wheel. What would I buy today? Capri. Hands down. No. I changed my mind watching the vid - I’d have the Manta. :)

[@FredmChoice]

As much as i love Capri's, i prefer GTE🤩

[@matty6848]

Yes same here. Give me the Manta any day!

[@mattw8332]

I concur. In the early 1990s a former boyfriend of my sister had a white C reg hatch GT/E, which was cool. Which was traded in for a Citroen AX 1.1 for some unfathomable reason.

[@andrewlaw]

@@mattw8332 Damn dude, that's some crazy downgrade. Almost as bad as me getting rid of an Audi Quattro for a Honda Accord. 😲

[@Pmjs]

Just like when I traded my Corrado 2.0 16v for a Honda Accord 2.0.

[@mikemidulster]

I never owned a Vauxhall/ Opel, but I had a few Fords, and yes I'd go for the Manta as well. I had a low mileage 1.6 L Mk5 Cortina estate, which was definitely a bit more lively than this Capri and it had coil springs at the back. It was a comfortable and very useful car, but I have to admit that it had many weak points. The gearbox was rubbish and had to be replaced, the diaphragm in the carb had to be replaced regularly, and it leaked oil into the cylinders overnight via the valve stem seals. Worst of all was the rust, at 70k miles I had to replace the chassis legs, and the inner rear wings below the estate windows. An acquaintance had a Manta during my Cortina years and had none of these problems.

[@michaelb9664]

Two beautiful examples! I’m a Capri fan and I’ve owned two, one of which was a 1.6 LS as in this video. Even I would chose the Manta out of these two examples. I know you can only compare what you get your hands on, but comparing a 1.6 Capri to pretty much anything is unfair as they are just so underpowered and anything but sporty to drive. Even the 2.0S or 2.0 Laser was a much better drive than any of the 1.6 variants. That red GTE looked gorgeous I have to say.

[@jonjavis]

Great choices Matt,I had the Capri 3.0 jps.wanted the 2.8.couldn’t afford in the day.and still can’t now.in the day my mate in that life had the the manta gt.sold it a month later for the xr3.Matt could I ask you to have a word with hubnut now he as new partner and kids. Needs to buy a newer motor that’s safe and get to we’re he’s going with out braking down.love your choices.used to have Astra’s after the triumph period.then there’s your mini .your Volvos never had one of these.like the rover etc.great videos I may had.I have now retired,pensioner since a few weeks befor Xmas.I have a Ford Focus mk2 diesel.2.0.2006.how time change.anyway keep up the good work.happy new year.got to rewind video now.missed lots of it,take so long to commment.⛄️🔧🇬🇧🎅🏻👌

[@robertsedgwick1629]

"the seats in the Manta feel more like sports seats"- there might* be a good reason for that! Recaro

[@danielball7595]

Exactly what I was thinking lol, a better Capri comparison to this Manta GTE would've been a 2.0S with Recaro seats. Both 2 litres, both with Recaro seats and both sports models of their range.

[@another3997]

@@danielball7595 I imagine getting hold of one to review, especially one in good condition, is far easier said than done.

[@danieleregoli812]

OMG!!! How luscious this is!!! They both appeal to my 'very much '80s influenced' brain. Both are lovely, clean, crisp, timeless designs. Beautiful stuff. Lovely memories! So thank you!

[@paulprescott7913]

Both those cars are mint. But the capri does it for me always aspired to a black 3.0s, but had a 1.6L .

[@matty6848]

What about the Brooklands 280🙏🏼

[@paulprescott7913]

@@matty6848 indeed and the Tickford turbo 😍

[@clarkwilson3505]

My old man drove a series of Opel Asconas from 1973 up until the last new one my mother purchased in 1981, which had pretty much the same interior layout as the Manta in this video. The last Ascona was silver with a blue velour interior which was nicer than the check cloth. We tried to get the old man to buy the last of the run Asconas in the 2000i layout, but he was stuck back in the 1930's... My elder brother bought a new Manta GTE in 1985, on a B plate, in the slate blue colour with red decals. The two sets of square holes in the dash were indeed audio, but here's the grind - the audio system only had 3 speakers - the rotator knob that you can see below the light switch in the knee pad area was a front/rear fader, but it only worked one speaker up front, for goodness only knows what reason and if you were able to see down through the holes, you'd see it was just one large oval speaker in the dash, to complement the two in the back. The sound was pretty much as that would suggest it was. I could never work it out, but I always presumed the front speaker was wired to the left, for the driver, and probably the right, for the LHS version in Europe. Never made much difference to be honest. They were decent cars otherwise.

[@660einzylinder]

I was working in a Ford Dealership when those cars were both new and if I had to borrow a car from the sales department to go to our other branch, it was always the Capri 2.0S that I'd grab in preference to a Fiesta, fwd Escort or Sierra, and way better than the Mk2 Escort Popular that belonged to the workshop!

[@nickkent6459]

Had many capri's back in the day. Really should have looked at the Manta. A car ahead of time.

[@robc5955]

Loved this, what a great comparison, I’d prefer the Manta also, but... I never got to drive one whereas I did drive a couple of Capris. Can you imagine what the 1.3 was like!

[@andrewlaw]

Yep, a friend had a 1.3 auto Capri! You could stand either side of engine in the engine bay there was that much room!

[@Juno58]

A Capri MUST have a V6 engine!

[@SilverSurfer5150]

Nice review, no bells or whistles, just a good honest unbiased video on the two cars. Only problem I think was that you should have put the Manta GT/E up against a Capri 2.0 to make it fairer.

[@simonlb24]

Another excellent video of two more classic eighties cars. Personally, I'd go for the Manta, but would still be more than happy if I ended up with the Capri.

[@0161pumaste]

fantastic video, thanks matt! 1n 1987 i had a 1976 cavalier mk1 for my 1st car, which was basically a manta saloon.Then in 1988, i bought a 1980 capri 1.6 GT4( which was basically a 1.6L with some LS bits on it, like the 6 clock dash) great memories :-)

[@KutreeZ]

Very tidy 1.6 LS model? Owned one awhile back with the 2ltr 205 jammed in there. Thanks for the video & happy new year

[@ijlo-b]

I owned a blue 1987 gte for 9 glorious years. The manta was just a joy to drive. Mine had sun roof and the grey recaro with red piping seats. Twin headlights and I changed the side mirrors to old manta A gte ones. Did have it’s faults but easy to work on. Changed the diff twice. Great video👍

[@richardjohnson3463]

Manta wins for me, just looks so much better. Nice start to 2021 for the channel

[@douglasfleetney5031]

Had a few Capri's back in the 1990's but always lusted after a Manta. You have just confirmed my fears that it always was the slightly better car... Thanks Matt.... Nice work as ever, really enjoyed this as it is exactly why I signed up to your great channel. Happy New Year from the East of the County.

[@chemistry636]

Most people seem to be for the Manta, but I would choose the Capri. Always wanted the black 2 or 3L S.

[@Buliwyf621]

Yep, and the top is the Capri Turbo 2.8 with wide body ooo boy... It's a beast! en.wheelsage.org/ford/capri/mkiii/pictures/p8xqz9

[@christopherludlam1602]

Was given a 2L GL Capri in 1986 as my first company car. I was working for a kitchen company and wasn’t even 18. The car had 157,000 miles on the clock and hadn’t been loved but I thought the boss had given me the world Roman bronze. Loved it

[@Runeakb]

The GM car seems to be less agricultural than the Ford car. You could almost see from behind the screen that the gear shifts were more likeable

[@Bigbaldybear]

Had a similar white Capri 1.6LS (BEK706T) in 1985 when I was 18. Lots of fond memories there :)

[@Bikergal800]

Well it's Manta for me as I owned a 1.8 S in the very early 90's and such a great blast and it was raced

[@bendermi]

It had the same gearbox as the BMW 318IS

[@Bikergal800]

@@bendermi the box was slick after my 1600 sport and a extra gear

[@bendermi]

I didn't understand your comment

[@Bikergal800]

@@bendermi it was a very good gearbox for shifting gears after driving a 1978 escort

[@bendermi]

@@Bikergal800 Okay thanks , the gearbox was made by Getrag , only the four speed boxes are made by Opel .

[@jonstarr1000]

Such great memories, having owned both and loved both. They had great qualities and presence, I loved the recaro interior of the manta and the simplicity of the Ford engine they were both class leaders of the day choose between them , difficult.

[@waynetetley584]

The Manta Berlinetta 1.8S used to rise when it was floored from the t/lights. I remember 'racing' my boss in one in my 1.0 Metro! 🤣

[@phil7301]

You mentioned the manta 400, what a car, McRae, Brookes, Fisher and McHale , Rallying in the 80s , wow. Out of the two cars I would go GTE , but both lovely cars HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@furiousdriving]

oh yes, the golden days of rallying, too much power and rear wheel drive!

[@bendermi]

Top of the range and no engelmänner mirrors? The front seats are made by Recaro. The Capri is a Cortina P100 underneath .

[@TheRapidspeed]

No... the capri is based on the escort mk2.. u can literally switch the front and rear suspension between the two cars..

[@bendermi]

@@TheRapidspeed Okay thanks good to know i might newer do that but maybe another can use this Information. What i ment was there is a Ford P100 light weight Pickup truck underneath the " Sporty" Capri .

[@bendermi]

@@TheRapidspeed In the Opel and Vauxhall family you can interchange much more across the models.

[@bendermi]

@@TheRapidspeed You can switch the suspension from the P100 to the Capri aswell.

[@TPerry2828]

Really enjoyed this one, a cracking start to the New Year for the channel! I like the way you concentrate on the design of all aspects of the car 👍

[@simonford5819]

The Manta any day! A real classic, rare, and beautiful looks, I'd love one - if I could find one like the one you're driving!

[@gordonmcgill4532]

Matt, another inspired choice of cars to take for a drive and another beautifully executed production. Both cars were on my dream list as a teenager and even now I'd struggle if forced to choose one over the other. Thanks for helping to make crazy old 2020 bearable and best wishes for 2021. Please keep content of this quality coming.

[@furiousdriving]

thanks Ill try!

[@knifetrain3118]

I think you should buy the Manta Matt. Very cool looking!

[@memsybabe]

It's funny, the Manta was starting to look dated when it went out of production, but I think now it looks kind of modern. I always loved both these cars, but preferred the Manta as a coupe rather than hatch, ideally in rally trim.

[@oliveroneill1388]

Don't agree at all with you. Your mind is outdated

[@memsybabe]

@@oliveroneill1388 ...well done. Great comment.

[@Lobster_Eater]

We’re Capri fan boys over here, but I absolutely love that GTE. If one came up at the right price and I had space it could be a needed purchase!

[@Lasercapri]

What a brave man to take on the biggest Ford v Vauxhall fight in the 80s 🤣😂🤣

[@andrewlaw]

How about RS2000 v Astra GTE MkII? 😋

[@AndyK.1]

@@andrewlaw GTE 16v. Ok 😂

[@stephenboulton1347]

I've owned both years ago....the manta is the sportier drive but the capri is the investment....I'd have the manta as its rarer and looks so retro.

[@aslandama]

Watched the Manta 400s on the Donegal rally's for a few years, awesome entertainment with the MK2 Escorts!

[@furiousdriving]

Yes, those were the golden days of rallying

[@JelloTypeR]

I had a Manta GTE the in that same red but with a tan interior and those lovely Recaros. I loved that car so much. It was built like a tank. In those 4 years it never let me down once. Broke my heart when I had to sell it for a company diesel 306.

[@gosportjamie]

You're not quite right in that the 2.0 with fuel injection in the GT/E was the biggest engine the Manta got as a road car. Around about 1983/84 there was a special edition of the Manta called the i240 that came with the Irmscher-built and tuned, stretched 2.4 litre version of that engine. It was basically a Manta 400 engine without the fancy cylinder head, and was something you could buy from your local Opel dealer as Irmscher was the official tuning company for Vauxhall and Opel vehicles through into the late '90s at least. That car also came with various other Irmscher styling accessories including the twin round headlight conversion famous from the 400. Later on there was also the i200 which used standard GT/E mechanics but had various trim upgrades, and the last of the Mantas, the Exclusive editions, also came with various trim upgrades to mark the end of the line and, probably, also to use up stocks of unused parts at the factory... I'd say you hit the nail right on the head. The Capri was a decent enough car and it looked good, plus it was fairly cheap in the UK. But, by the time the '80s came around, the lack of development possibilities and the fact that it had only really been lightly tweaked over its' life meant that it just felt old. The Manta was a considerably more advanced car in engineering terms and, because of that, it felt much more modern. Which one is better is very much a subjective choice, the Capri has very much the classic feel, the Manta is a much more useable vehicle. I made my choice years ago and have had a few Mantas and a number of Asconas over the years but I also had experience with Capris too. It's horses for courses but it is worth bearing in mind that the Capri reputation of tail-happiness is rather deserved. You can get the tail out in a Manta, but when you've got the hooligan out of your system it'll all get back in line very happily as long as you have decent tyres, the Capri you can get the back end out and then run out of road before you've got it back in line again due to the simple cart spring suspension giving much less axle location than the Manta has...

[@bendermi]

Irmscher also made the i2800 .

[@gosportjamie]

@@bendermi I wasn't aware of that version, it may not have been sold in the UK as I know there were versions of the Manta that we didn't get...

[@bendermi]

@@gosportjamie They were produced from 77 to 79 and I don't think Irmscher made them right hand drive, but because of that model we have the possibility to build an historic correct Manta with an 2.8 .

[@gosportjamie]

@@bendermi Actually, I think I do vaguely remember them being made. They used the fuel injected straight-6 from the Commodore GS/E rather than a stretched cam in head 4 if memory serves, which explains why they were never built as right-hand drive as part of the engine goes where the steering column needs to sit in right-hand drive vehicles. I know quite a few people over here have tried to do the straight-6 swap over here, and all run into the same issue which leaves them with the option of building the car left-hand drive, not ideal in the UK, or getting the power from another source, hence why Red Top 16v swaps became popular...

[@bendermi]

@@gosportjamie Yes the engine was also in the Commodore GSE I didn't get the part with the stretched cam.

[@nk53nxg]

Loved the look of these 80's coupes. The 70's Manta A was before my time but good looking too with its round rear lights and nicely proportioned body. The last of the Mantas also looked the business as the saloon version in white with the yellow rally livery, very cool. The Capri was also a looker in its last form with the hooded recessed twin headlamps and long bonnet. But I also remember them both as rusting alarmingly fast, the Capri more so.

[@bartdegroot4826]

the manta doesn't have a mc phearson frontstruts..

[@piuthemagicman]

Yup, double wishbone, better than McPherson.

[@bendermi]

mc phearson are they the local bike gang ?

[@neilmustow368]

Great coupe test Matty the Manta did have a rally pedigree in coupe form in the 80's Group B era with well known names like Russell Brookes happy 2021 to you

[@stepheng8779]

The Capri is nice but the Manta is in a different league. If it were orange (childhood dreams) I'd be setting off on foot to buy it now 🤣

[@robtt997]

My father had two Opel Ascona 1.9SR as practice cars in his Veterinary Surgeon practice . They had hard lives .My father had a theory the faster you went down a farm track the smoother you went ! But they both stood up to the abuse well . Lovely cars

[@Asif-Haque]

The Manta would be my choice. Vauxhall/Opels of the era just felt much better-built.

[@andrewpercival1427]

Sold my Manta GTE 24 years ago for £300 , the only car i regret selling only because it had a dodgy fuel gauge and rotten rear vallence , it was a really nice example , i loved the look and the way it drove, also ended up the wrong way at a few roundabouts!

[@adebrade172]

The gas struts in boot on Capri were weak,I ended up in hospital with a busted head once

[@emjayay]

As a former owner of several aging hatchbacks and vans, air struts often poop out eventually. Propping the thing up with a stick is, as I found out, not a good solution. I bought generic ones at a chain parts store for something under $30 each

[@delukxy]

They were weak on that car and the hatch had to be held up if you watch it again.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

Well, that brought back memories. I bought a new Manta 2.0GT/E ( black coupe version) in March '84. My wife-to-be and I enjoyed many happy miles in it. After a few years, the arrival of kiddies forced a swap for an estate car.

[@rampantram1]

you cant call a 1.6 a sports car it had the same engine as a 4 dr cortina and weighed just as much.Its very terry mcann ie an every day wallys car wanting to think he was flash in the 80s.The manta had a bit more class to it.The ford is just a 70s car really and the manta was evolving more.

[@skelejp9982]

The Manta was a Favourite among people in Holland, who wanted to get a Race Driving License ! My Friend had a Capri 2.8i, Metallic, Great looking Car ! Thank You for these Videos , love the Details .