Opel Manta 400: Group B Rally Homologation Legend | Carfection 4K

[@erraldstyler]

i wish Opel would still be this awesome brand they were back then

[@rockzs74r]

They still are Astra VXR are amazing

[@Tivoliterror]

Couldnt agree more....

[@gaycha6589]

rockzs74r - not compared to similar offerings from VW, Ford, MB, Audi. Crap by comparison

[@rockzs74r]

@@gaycha6589 well the Astra is Euro car of the year 2016.

[@bikerman6907]

@@gaycha6589 am an owner of both a 2014 Opel Astra J OPC and a Ford Focus RS500, and wouldnt call the Astra J OPC crap. It has a beautiful design being a 3 door coupe, awesome bucket seats, adaptive Boge/Sachs suspension, forged 20 inch wheels, Brembo brakes, Drexler mechanical diff, really enjoy driving it 👍

[@doublep1980]

In Germany,the Opel Manta is a cult car. There were the popular Manta driver jokes and even 2 successful comedy movies about Manta drivers in the early 1990´s. The Manta was the sportscar for the working class,who couldn´t afford a Merc,BMW, Audi and definetely not a Porsche,but wanted something different than a VW Golf. Back in the day,before the JDM trend came over,the Mantas were the Nr.1 Tuner cars in Germany. The Manta in the late 80´s/early 90´s was what the Supra became in the early 00´s. People use to put big turbos on their Mantas or swapping out the engines altogher and some guys even dropping V8´s in them.I knew a guy,who had put an Audi Quattro inline 5 and a bigass single turbo in his Manta,pumping that thing to over 300 PS.They used to do all kinds of crazy modding on these cars back in the day, because they were very sturdy build.

[@NishantDash]

Everytime I watch the VLN or Nurburgring races there's a Manta and everyone goes wild whenever it comes on the stream lol Now I see why haha

[@doublep1980]

@@NishantDash One thing I forgot,you need to put a fake fox-tail on the car´s antenna and wear a mullet if you drive an Opel Manta,it´s kinda mandatory. xD

[@THE_Michael_Westen]

@@doublep1980 Don't forget the boots.

[@boerharms2209]

Manta Manta!

[@mrdurdan67]

@@doublep1980 Sounds like a Chevy Camaro Iroc-Z driver from the U.S.

[@janiscubbage3224]

I was a race horse jockey in my early 20s driving like a race car driver from track to track to beat the clock to get into the Jock's room in time to be able to be legal to ride my mounts. iIdid a lot of ZOOOOOMING down the interstates in my Manta. I owned two of them...first was silver...the second maroon. Great memories!

[@EleanorPeterson]

The Manta just looks so... right. I still love it.🙂

[@Corvolet5]

Wow, I didn't expect this video from a non-German channel. As an Opel fan I appreciate it.

[@LihTV]

Opel Manta, one of my dream cars in terms of looks and rwd combo. Thanks for the video !

[@Arockalypsse]

You instantly become my friend

[@LihTV]

@@Arockalypsse Haha :D I own a E36 328i Turbo instead of a Manta, something similar tbh but not that rare :D

[@nnoddy8161]

Group A and Group B produced the best road going racers and some of the best racing/rallying we have seen. Lot to be said for homologation specials.

[@nessuno5403]

At least the spirit lives on, with flared arches on things like the BMW M2 or the Audi RS.

[@nnoddy8161]

@@nessuno5403 not really.

[@vMaxHeadroom]

What a truly beautiful car...My first car was a used beaten up blue 1979 Opel Manta 1.9 Litre and then finally I managed to get the Opel Manta GTE in white...oh what days they were...

[@monsterp1970]

I very much miss my Opel Manta GT/E, booted, not hatchback, and white of course! I think it was a 1984, which I owned from around 1991-1994. Loved the long doors, especially with the widows down :-)

[@psup8]

I had five ,the penultimate was a exclusive coupe that I dropped a dohc 16v calibra,motor in mated to the getrag 1.8 gearbox legend ..in the day the engine swaps were easy like the six cyl 3.0 Monza ,the 2.4v6 frontera .and 3.5 rover v8 .nessarcary because the standard GTE was only 110 bhp .but it was its chassis that really was its finest point.unsung hero of the golden years of rallying ..

[@Lonespark]

"Mechanical Flatulence" would make a good band name.

[@billpreston2162]

Contra Band would be a good band name.

[@buretehudesi]

My first car in 1998 when I was teenanger in Poland. Still have it and one B1 as well. Love them.

[@jbkonis121]

I’m very pleased with the fact that Carfection puts out real content. Not just hype pieces for modern cars.

[@CameronM47]

I miss my Manta.

[@hyweljthomas]

As a youth I owned a white GTE and absolutely loved it. At 54,000 miles I sold it to my brother, but the crap i had to drive in meantime - Astras, Cortinas etc - meant that I bought it back 30,000 miles later. What a great car.

[@armoris66]

I've owned a few cars in my 30+ yrs driving and I can honestly say that the one that brings back the feeling of cool is my old opel manta. Had a mk1 which didn't have the flared arches, spoilers and twil lights but had a far cleaner and pure shape to my eyes. Mechanically it was a very simple car but with that coupe shape, frameless doors and 5 spoke factory alloys was so sexy back then and always reminded me of the unobtainable Ferrari Daytona in Miami Vice.

[@diaspo]

We love you Hairy Snatchpole!!!

[@michaelsummerell8618]

Forget that Drivetribe gubbins... this is the channel for those who love cars. Many thanks as always to those involved.

[@nickysnaith943]

Genuinely love to see one in person proper rwd car from a proper era

[@deaks25]

It's so unapologetically and gloriously 80's, love it.

[@Whiteplane]

This Car hit different

[@Pmjs]

Always loved the Opel Manta.

[@martinprosen8059]

Memories, beautiful memories.....

[@dolken2]

I owned the latest Opel Manta with the Irmscher trim before it was replaced by the calibra. Was an A registration too. It was an absolute pleasure to drive. The paint was called Starmist Black. Metallic very dark grey that looked black. Gorgeous.

[@boerharms2209]

the GSI Exclusive? Nice!

[@pdtech4524]

@@boerharms2209 Wasn't the Opel Manta GTE 'exclusive' like a very unique dark metallic blue with red graphics, twin headlights and dark alloy wheels? I don't remember seeing any other colour?

[@boerharms2209]

@@pdtech4524 Yeah, the exclusives had the quad headlights, big rear bumper, 3 piece spoiler and the red accents on the seats and exterior logos. rims were the standard 5 spoke GTE rims, but finished in dark metallic grey with silver wheelrims I believe the UK spec GTE exclusives were indeed largely monaco blue. they were however offered in a range of colors: red, grey, black, gold. With monaco blue being one of the most popular options

[@pdtech4524]

@@boerharms2209 Handsome looking cars, there was one around the corner from where I lived when I had my Opel.Manta 2.0 GTE coupe, mine was like a bright scarlet orangey / red colour, not factory, a 1984. The exclusive was a 1988 which would have been the last year maybe? Only ever saw Monaco blue exclusives here in the UK anyway.

[@jep1912]

The dad of a school friend had one of these and it was my first taste of rallying... in the raw. I revelled in the chance of a passenger ride. Happy, heady days. Thanks Henry!

[@TheAslakVind]

Henry P! You have found a niche, full of sexy classical cars with a biig following. This car was from my youth, I know the very brave guys who rallied them in Denmark and Europe. This version is so beautiful, raunchy exhaust note and beautiful to look at. Bravo!

[@SuperGinkgo]

I always loved these as a youth, the "thinking mans Capri!" I would love to own that one or an Opel Royale, great vid, thanks.

[@AndrewKNI]

Fantastic video. Brings back memories when cars had to be driven! No electronics or computers in sight. Wonderful!

[@sethpengilly1613]

Took me back many years holding my dads in the forests of wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 in the pouring rain. Just waiting to hear that sound

[@oprikawize]

I love the unique content we get to view on this channel 😍

[@Francoberry]

My dad had an Opel Manta - he loved it

[@FenderUsa]

LOVE videos on unique cars like this, thank you

[@DrDreq]

Henry is always smiling when driving it is expressing more than words!

[@ajorsomething4935]

The opel manta: the car I've only observed from a distance and already love.

[@girl-pl3wx]

I LOVE THIS CAR !!!

[@derekhomann7789]

Never heard of a manta until this video . Now I’m glad I did !! This is an amazing car !!!!!!

[@kukko83]

As a Manta enthusiast, I thank you for this video. You don't see a lot of decent content for them in KZbin, or anywhere else for that matter.

[@iainf6]

Brilliant Henry brilliant! More required please..... 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@marksainsbury4109]

I had 8 mantas over the years always wanted a 400, even a replica would have done .

[@helipeek2736]

My old school friend’s Dad worked for Andrews Heat For Hire and would bring him to school in Russel Brookes’s Manta from time to time - we’d sit in the foam helmet carriers in the back and arrive sideways at the school gates - ah memories.

[@Chris2010H]

I'm so lucky to have lived in the same area as a Manta owner, got to see one every time I popped to the Shops, it too had the Widebody Kit and looked spectacular!

[@SnakeyUk08]

Unexpected video but more than welcome I used to always fancy a manta back in the day never got round to it though , so its nice to see a perfect example driven by Henry :)

[@davidbates247]

Ow what a beautiful looking car I remember when I was a lad always loving the look of the mantas great days they went well too

[@WestfieldFreshAir]

I had the Cavalier Sportshatch version of the Manta back in my late teens. Not a patch on a Manta 400, but loved seeing those little things in the video that reminded me of the car - the dash, vents, door locks, the 'roll bar' in the roof. Thanks. It's also lovely to see how Henry drives these cars with care and respect whilst still pushing them hard enough to get a feel for them.

[@pdtech4524]

I remember my 1984 Opel Manta 2.0 GTE Coupe with great fondness and wish I'd kept it. I just remember it handling so well, cornered like it was on rails and went like a rocket. It was a real head turner, as when I owned it there weren't many still left around.

[@bjchong1389]

What a great piece on an iconic car ... driven by greats such as Brookes, Ari Vatanan & Henri Toivonen

[@randombloke8802]

My boyhood dream car....I went to see Jimmy McCrae in the Andrews heat for hire Manta 400 a few times in the 80's...fabulous !

[@boilerhousegarage]

"Flimsy plastics" What? Those vents are thick, solid and clicky; standing the test of time very well.

[@pedrocoelho8977]

More of this pls such a joy to see!

[@channel3597]

That is one cool car! Don’t you just love the 80s? I certainly do.

[@to250582]

It is awesome Henry! I love classic cars and this video exposes a great example! Regards from Portugal!

[@Roadwarrior92]

I seen one a driveway once in black. What a unique car! Beautiful

[@purm0ndis]

yes! please consider a series of Henry driving all the GrB cars (hmgl specials and stage prep'd).

[@adamgreen7291]

My favourite car of all time. My Dad had a Silver i240 (D600 DFK), and a white i200 (C888 VWD). My brother had B600 OEA the white i240 press car for the UK 👌

[@stewh1263]

finally some one who appreciates the opel manta. loved the coupe inparticular ,it struggled at the time as it was up against the all new hot hatches. great review thanks

[@mtbelly1972]

Use to have one of these when I was 18. Brilliant car.

[@aftastosk6016]

Henry this was a very nice presentation, thank you. I was curious to watch a review of the stock car. There were around many "standard" Mantas converted to "something like a 400" back in the '80s, some of these with the engine stroked at 2.7 lt.

[@MrIndisponente]

I always loved the edgy look of the Manta 400. This car is truly beautiful, the wide body, the wing, the wheels, colour... wonderful! I'd give it a bit more power though.

[@skodbolle]

I know the feeling, I love my Ascona B :D

[@marcomesenti6989]

Owned & passed my driving test in an "A series" manta which was my very first car then proceded to own a further 26 mantas in both A & B series including a few 400 replicas with 3ltr 24V engines,also red top Vauxhall engines plus V8s. Great looking cars both the A&B but boy did the floors & chasis box sections & rails rot out on them😮 Very hard classic to find these days & gone up in price if you find one.

[@ScramTek]

A lesser known icon. With the same shutlines as all other 80’s GM products.

[@axemanracing6222]

There was a Manta 200, too Great looking car!

[@avonzv5]

I had a GT/E back in the early 90’s with a few minor tweaks here n there. It took on some of the hot hatches like the Astra GT/E but I wanted some thing a bit more nippy so went for a MK1 Golf GTI. But I always loved my Manta GT/E and still miss her to this day & would have loved a 400.

[@bunkaaa8726]

The background music keeps making me think theres someone jingling keys outside my door ...

[@philipminns3933]

I WISH they'd stop using music underneath speech segments. So distracting when you've got decent headphones/speakers, and particularly if you decide to use a track which uses 'real world' sounds as percussion - obviously that's going to sound like something happening on screen or in the room.

[@simonlloyd7557]

Its absolutely infuriating. I call it the curse of youtube..relentless, pointless, annoying, distracting and incessant, infantile, puerile music..usually some stupid tippity tappety hip hop dross.

[@marcomesenti6989]

​@@simonlloyd7557well said dude 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@adamhoyle6513]

More rally legend videos please. Ari MkII Escort McRae Subaru Carlos and the Corolla Juha and the Peugeot Great vid 👍

[@kfoalbfkdkd5302]

Toivonen and the S4

[@callumw8719]

Sainz and Celica

[@HawkMillFarm]

Woooo! I has an Opel Manta, then an Ascona, both 2lt. Flimsy plastic indeed, those penny flap vents were legendary.

[@goclunker]

Just beautiful. Nothing more needs to be said

[@Marauder252]

My first car was a black -86 Manta GSI. It´s the car I wish I never sold. Had great fun driving it specially in the winter time.

[@amphilbey]

Great video Henry. Still remember the Andrews heat for hire from watching as a child

[@kenxiong6830]

Henry catchpole deserves a spot on Top Gear

[@althejazzman]

why is Top Gear always the benchmark? KZbin is better.

[@billbadger8654]

Nice one. I wish I still had my (bog standard) 1979 Berlinetta fastback. A great car.

[@stevenagy88]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@dicktaylor2600]

There's a white box arch 400 about four miles from me sitting in an open sided barn with a beetle, a moggy with hand controls and only 700 miles from new,a fwd triumph dolomite which despite the muck and being out there the longest has survived better than the rest by some margin,what remains of a dark blue Manta A,,a Brooklands Capri and a MK4 and 5 cortina,the mk4 Cortina has a wooden kennel and a big trenching bucket on its roof.There is literally a covered pile of rust in their front garden that was once an MGTF,There are some large brambles completely engulfing a crashed mgb and a rotted MK2 fiesta and in the garage is a Rover 100 in quite good nick.All these cars apart from the Dolly,Capri and Rover are returning to earth unfortunately and all are firmly not for sale,I've sadly watched them deteriorate over the years while walking my dogs.

[@robertrishel3685]

One of my absolute all time favorite cars of the day😍😍😍😍😍

[@neilcrayston3609]

What about Ari Vatanen in a Manta on the Manx rally scaring his co-driver !! Amazing!

[@dln.sweeney]

I was sure he was going to mention that "dear god" moment.

[@Pique147]

Didn't he have a flat/soft tyre at that moment that made the gap that much scarier?

[@dln.sweeney]

Pique yeah he picked up a puncture right before

[@vokstar]

This isn't that vid, but well worth a look see. He did say in the Vatanen touch two that you couldn't be so much of an artist in the Mantra compared to the Escort, but he is being a bit of a Picasso in this vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJmkqGtsiqmbfq8&t=

[@Naefukabootio]

@@vokstar Great video! Thanks for sharing the link.

[@astorsimovitchlaw]

Fantastic video, brought me back to my days in the 80’s driving a hot hatch. Today’s cars are amazing, but the connection to the driving experience has been lost.

[@sammygirlie345]

Stunning car cant get out of my head the presenter reminds me of big cook little cook

[@Navidain]

I'v always had a soft spot for the later generation of the Matas. I was in my teens when they came out and they just seemed so sporty and cool at the time. I remember as time as pasted, they gained a reputation for being very prone to rust. Seemed kind of ironic considering how plasticky they looked. Nice to see one being reviewed in a positive light for a change. Have to say, Henry Catchpole has become one of my favourite auto-journalist. He has a very honest, but not abrasive way of describing the subject matter and a very unclutered way of conveying what he is getting from the car. He seems to genuinley be enjoying the different characters offered by different cars.

[@melvyncox3361]

The Ascona 400 was homologated to group 4 regulations,therefore 400 built to comply. The Manta 400 was homologated to the later group B regulations,which only required 200 cars built. Just a correction on the beginning of this video.Lovely car,and a great review.Loved the Manta.Had a standard one myself👍.

[@donmantita503]

A lot thanks!! Big video for MantaMania!

[@oisinhibbitt3731]

Irish legends McHale and Fisher drove these animals in the circuit of Ireland

[@ctf1537]

My favourite was Austin McHale's black xtravision livery Manta 400 was unforgettable to watch on dry tarmac

[@idin1976]

Magnificent video. How lovely!

[@nickrichardson7556]

Thank you Henry for this video excellent

[@cooperwilliams4686]

I have so much love for this car. Definitely needs throttle body's though.

[@jakethegsd]

Great stuff. Miss my many Mantas!

[@deannelson1388]

Always wanted one of these when i were a lad ... good vid.

[@Scamdemic]

You lucky git! THE BEST LOOKING CAR EVER BUILT...for me, bar none. My dream car man, especially with those twin FIFTY webers. PS: They were knocking out nearer 300bhp towards the end when they really started pushing them. The last 'Heat for hire' car was also accidentally left in an acid bath too long which meant it was referred to as 'The bendy bus'.

[@johndrake2729]

Lovely classic.

[@metalheuga]

Very nice! 400 is a dream. Opel Power

[@tommihommi1]

Manta Manta!

[@simonlloyd7557]

you sound like Li Long from Soul Blade

[@justinford531]

I had a manta 1.8s berlinetta as my first car

[@azbloc]

moi une Berlinetta 2.0 injection, je regrette de ne plus l'avoir, une vraie voiture pour apprendre a piloter!

[@black5f]

I had a 2.0 GTE, did 100,000 miles in her .. never went wrong, unbreakable engine, over square and chain driven cam. Mate had one with a ford essex in it. Wasn't as quick as the GTE. Wish I still had it!

[@v88dicky32]

An early memory of one of my best mates (before I knew him), was seeing him drift his Manta Coupe 2.0i round a wet roundabout a couple of times trying to impress a girl. He still reminisces about that car, resplendent in its 400 regalia. Sold it to a bloke who wrote it off 😢

[@SmallBlogV8]

This was (at least partially) filmed just outside Goodwood! Been past that racecourse many a time ;-)

[@boerharms2209]

Awesome! someday my own Manta will be as nice as this one

[@hartsockthomson3334]

Goosebumps!

[@marcnobel3938]

Every year at the Nürburgring 24h Race you can still see one racing. Over 1900 VLN-Race rounds with a distance of about 50.000 Kilometers in way over 100 VLN Races. Done more than 24 times the 24 hours races at the ring. Last year the engine broke but seems they come back this year again.

[@gregj3515]

pretty awesome, as for the box arches the SAAB 900 Enduro (Australia Dealer Special) would run it close... think Billy Coleman ran a 400 as did Bertie Fisher...

[@nessuno5403]

Didn't know such a SAAB existed :)

[@gt_grandtouring]

I never knew about this car until this video. It is a cool car. They don't make em like this anymore.

[@ruthun]

Great vid, Henry. LOL @ the 'Nankang' chirp