Real Road Test: Opel Manta B2 16v! Red top power!

Not very HubNut, I grant you, but by heck was this car fun! A 1985 Opel Manta Berlinetta modified with a red top 16v engine from an Astra GTE. What. A. Machine. Sorry for the clipping noise during the road test. It was quite loud and yes, I did lose my voice!
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[@Everything_Evan]

My mum's stalker had one of these back in the late 80s, obviously I was a child and didn't know what was going on, but I was obsessed with his white Manta GTE which used to park outside our house everyday. So everytime I see one first thing that comes into my head now is my mum's stalker. 😂

[@somethingelse1988]

That's brilliant

[@andrewgurney6019]

WTF? lol

[@zimzam9166]

Maybe it's hubnuts neighbor

[@lordmellis7135]

Your mum is lovely tho

[@zippy963]

Did your Mum shout knees alert. ☮️

[@stuart121972]

My Dad owned two W reg Vauxhall Cavalier 2000GLS “sports hatches” in the mid 80’s.

[@Ian-Steele]

That wasn’t a combine harvester, it was a self-propelled forage harvester! I know, I’m being picky, but my farming background couldn’t let that one go. 😂 It was a Claas Jaguar. Oh and whilst I’m being picky you did reach 60 mph before passing the national speed limit sign, but I won’t tell anyone. 🤫

[@6chhelipilot]

T'was a combine Armadillo!

[@gettingfolksbackup8321]

Weirdo

[@Ian-Steele]

@@gettingfolksbackup8321 Let’s keep things happy and jolly in a HubNut sort of way. Best wishes to you. 😄

[@CarlDraper]

Yes that bugged me slightly too, it's a 1990s Claas Jaguar forage harvester, busy as it's grass cutting season

[@rwd323]

@@CarlDraper A Claas 695SL?

[@lr_s3102]

I really want this car. A channel called VHS Rallies has footage of loads of rallies from the 80s and 90s and I love seeing Jimmy McCrae and Russell Brooks driving these.

[@TheOracle65]

The genuine excitement of a HubNet “giving it the beans” video is quite infectious! I was smiling the whole way through that review 😊

[@richh7872]

One of my primary school teachers had one of these, dark blue. Should've payed more attention in lessons than what looking at what was in the car park 🤣

[@HighHoeKermit]

My first car was an X reg 1981 mk 2 Cavalier... with a picnic table on the saloon boot and alloys from a Manta GTE... memories!

[@theotherchannel2279]

I loved these cars when I was younger!!!

[@Jay-B1750]

My cousin had a white GT/E when I was a kid, I absolutely loved it

[@trevatkin4869]

I had an Opel Ascona in blue and a Manta GT/E hatch in white back in the day. The Ascona was a bit boaty to drive but very reliable, quite quick for what it was, and cheap motoring (until I crashed it because I underestimated it's stopping distance in the wet!).

[@MrCHrisfj]

"Power; less is more BUT loads is Fun"

[@tugatomskanimation6370]

This is a legendary car, especially the rally version.

[@BrorAppelsin]

Proper ride height for hooning around on less than perfect smaller roads!

[@j3xk72r9]

I had three of these in the 1980's and loved them. I wish I still had one now!

[@a64738]

I bought a Ascona B for 450$ in 2002 and damaged the streering 1,5 years later and it never got on the road again and someone else then me scrapped it 2 years later (was gone when I went to go get it). Now I was looking for baying another one because it is really fun cars to drive. I got total chock when I saw the prices now, it is cheaper here to buy a 2009 Porche Cayman with 320hp, and that is exactly what I plan to do lol :)

[@Kenny_P_abz]

I love the Irish roads where the signs tell you to “Yield” rather than “Give way”.

[@RichieRouge206]

This was an absolute joy to watch and accompany you on the drive! I love the fusion of newer engines on older cars - the redtop is one of those iconic engines. The joy and fun of driving is completely realised with this car - the total opposite of new cars now. Awesome video Ian

[@dmodeboy]

I do love Opels. They are much more interesting than Vauxhalls. This Manta is beautiful...those seats are glorious! Looks a right hoot to drive. The Monza is my favourite though. In my top ten ever cars. Please drive a Monza!🙏🤣

[@archie2archie]

a tv show from the 80's "you bet" wheel trims edition. i was screaming monza monza at the screen when the expert contestant got it wrong.

[@daddypeet257]

Ian I love the fact that you are a walking encyclopedia of car details and the learned knowledge you retain, and are able to share and display to us is staggering ( no autocue either ) long may you reign and continue and enjoy your selected drives, more tinkering please as well Thank you thank you

[@_autoverse]

Enjoyed this vid, always good to see you have fun behind the wheel. Also the editing of this was spot on, the transition between getting talking about the frameless doors and getting in the car was perfect.

[@rickbee53]

Great iconic car, an important part of our automotive history, thanks Ian, your driven car reviews are the best part of your channel for me, your knowledge and enthusiasm are wonderful

[@daniellee9015]

Brilliant video Ian 👍 how iconic. My favorite of the old opel group fantastic car

[@sarkybugger5009]

A gold and black one of these used to drive through my village when I was waiting for my lift to work. He always used to knock it down a cog, and give it a squirt as he passed the 60 mph sign. Lovely noise.

[@skylined5534]

I love memories like that 😊

[@SiCrewe]

Oh lordy! Another car from my list of "things to buy when I win the lottery". I was always the sort of person who rooted for the underdog and, back in the day, all the sane rally fans lusted after the Lancia Stratos, the AUDI Quattro, the HF Integrale or the Cossie but I was always a big fan of the humble Manta.

[@jimg492]

What a beautiful motor, I've always had a love for mantas. And that red top growling away fwah

[@andrewpreston4127]

Loved this, thank you. I remember those Mantas, also the GT/J, the cheaper version. In 1980, a work colleague of mine had one of the Cavalier Sports Hatches. Copper colour, 2 litre engine. He gave me a lift in it a few times. What I particularly remember is how well it pulled. No messin around till 4000 rpm before it started to go. Thanks again.

[@waynetetley584]

A great review of that Manta. I enjoyed the results of your research too👍

[@garethsmyth6593]

My father about 30 years ago have a bright red Manta hatchback. It had grey tweed seats and was very comfortable to ride In. He also had a sunroof on his. I remember also those big round vents at the right hand side of the glove box towards the dash panel. I am registered blind with alittle vision in my right eye. I am from Northern Ireland. I really love to hear you talking in your videos and describing everything. I also love to listen to you taking cars out for a drive and hearing the whiring noises of the old engines. Thank you so very much my friend.

[@Andy-pf7me]

Brother had the GTE hatch new on a C plate,was lovely,100 in 3rd and felt so planted.

[@g.uu.]

This is the very car I took a snapshot of when on holiday in Wales in May, nice to see a review on it, thanks Hubnut👍🏻

[@SuperGinkgo]

You've peaked Ian! My favourite car of the 80's, I had a poster of a black Manta GT/E on my wall, Testarossa who? I also really rate the Opel Royale/Monza. The insurance on Opels was always a few groups higher than our Vauxhalls so the best I did was a Cavalier Commander saloon. Really lovely lookers "the thinking mans' Capri" indeed! 😊👍

[@rickydub6950]

Awesome 👌 looked like you had a great time in it. Lucky man 😁👏

[@BibtheBoulder]

I had a 1974 Opel Manta 'A'. I was only 17 when I purchased it in 1980 and what a car it was. Stunning old gold in colour, and very sporty for the day. Of course, if I had known what it would be worth in 2021 I might've kept it.....

[@paulbennell3313]

That looks and sounds an absolute riot!

[@Andy-sh9eq]

The top bloke in the era of the manta 400 rallying was Russell Brookes, manta over capri no contest.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

Nah - Jimmy McRae was the man.

[@heikkiremes5661]

No contest.

[@RobJaskula]

No run better for me than Tony Pond's 3rd in the RAC on the Metro 6R4's debut

[@MP-fw4ub]

Great to see took me back, my first car was an Ascona SR Berlina. Also a 16V Astra mk 2. The Manta B came to the UK mid 70s, had 1.6 and 1.9 CIM engines, around 1980 the 1.9 was changed to 2.O. The later Manta's had 1.8 carb or 2.0 injection engines, also got 5 speed gearboxes. The Ascona / Manta Bs were basically rebodied Ascona / Manta As. Better looking imho. Great channel.

[@Hairysnid]

Great to see you having so much fun Ian, you don't stop smiling! 😄

[@Chriswales]

Used to walk past a 2 door GTE Exclusive on the way to school and always wanted one. Last time I saw a Manta was in Auckland of all places!

[@gregbolger1355]

Lovely review of the Opel Manta. Always loved these cars since my Dad had a T teg B Series Manta Berlinetta in black with a red interior. Beautiful car and always turned heads. You are right, great cars to drive.

[@MonaroTravels]

I had a 1988 F plate Manta Hatch in red. I LOVED that car and it taught me to drive. You are 100% spot on, frameless doors are the best thing ever. My Monaro would be totally perfect if it had those. 😍

[@tomblatch1594]

What an awesome car! Like the rough-around-the edges look.

[@ciaranmurray6623]

Finally Ian a review of an Opel excellent most enjoyable.I think they're bringing out an all electric version of the original A Manta (with round rear lights) soon.

[@johndilloway9762]

Electric !! thats blasphemy. :-)

[@Jam3sA]

My stepfather had several of these when I was young, GT/Es & Exclusives. I remember that on some of them the soft pad was removable from the steering wheel to expose the metal spokes. They had the simplest sunroof mechanism too, one pull-down handle & throw back!

[@johnwaga3702]

Great video. I remember loving these when they first came out.

[@andrewhofler]

Wow, what a great car! I really enjoy tasteful modern engine swaps into older cars, so many benefits to be enjoyed! Cool outro music too, seems almost period correct for the car!

[@peterlawrence3152]

The Manta looks splendid. Not many left now. What a beauty.

[@liverush24]

A bloke that I knew in Wrexham, bought a very late model 2.0 litre one with twin headlamps & colour coded everything ( dark blue ), I think it was E-reg, so just a matter of months old at the time of purchase.. He bought it on HP and it looked superb parked on the grass verge outside his house. Well, for two days it did, until he totally wrecked it. And then it spent the next six-months parked up with a three-foot deep chasm in the back, from where he had hit a tree or a telegraph pole. I bet it was many years before he managed to pay it off.

[@davidjones332]

Yep, I knew somebody who did just that with a 3-lire Capri. A week of screaming around the lanes before it ended untidily in a ditch. Three years of paying the HP to follow.

[@liverush24]

@@davidjones332 It would kill me, having to do that.

[@barryshackson4005]

Always loved the opel mantas, excellent cars. Great video Ian. 👍👍🙂🙂

[@thecrow3461]

I'm not an opel fan by any stretch of the imagination but i can just feel the driving excitement just watching this video

[@charlesclay7842]

Great video, I have fond childhood memories of my car mad uncles having these. I too love frameless doors, a feature I loved on my 1990 mx5 my 3 recent 3 door minis and my current Mercedes CLA shooting brake, also available on the old Impreza saloon.

[@adelestevens]

I had an ascona berlina the same colour as the first shown in your video. A very comfortable drive it was until the carb rattled itself to death one wet and windy night on the M6 near Preston. One set of spare twin 40's and some juggling of pipework lairiness began, lol.

[@davekp6773]

Aw Ian, this is right up my street. I have owned a 1982 Manta GT/J coupe in Jamaica yellow and a 1984 Manta GT/E coupe in silver (not at the same time). I loved them both.

[@Shane_Marsh]

Quality video as usual Ian. I always thought the Manta should have had a 6 cylinder option like the Capri. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Great to see one of these again, seems to sit higher than I remember.

[@Zadster]

Probably set up for gravel / forest roads. No roll cage though...

[@catherinewilson3880]

I had an Open Ascona 2.0 litre in 1982. I loved it. Always fancied a Manta, but never managed to own one.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

That brought back memories. I bought a brand new black Manta GT/E Coupe (115bhp) on the 5th of March 1984. My wife (to be, at the time) and I had some joyous motoring fun in that car, although she often looked on the car as competition for my attention. Eventually she won through and the arrival of offspring resulted in the Manta being traded in for a Cavalier hatch.

[@Opel_Guy]

Have one myself also in white! Very fun to drive. Owned for the last twenty one years but was my dads before that when he brought it in 1988. There has been and currently some stunning restorations being done on the owners club site.

[@Perkelenaattori]

I'm so glad you mentioned the Ari Vatanen @ Manx rally clip as it's in my opinion one of the craziest and best examples of pure driving skill on KZbin.

[@robtt997]

Just one word sums this up. Superb !

[@russellb1212]

Hubnut giving it the beans, fantastic, always wanted my dad to swap his company mark 2 Cavalier hatch back for one

[@SmR8008]

My 1st car was a mk1 1600gl cavalier. Since then my dream car has been this shape manta.

[@0161pumaste]

Bloody brilliant video, thanks Ian! i had a 1976 mk1 cavalier 1600 GL for my first car when i was 17 in 1987, it was dukes of hazzard orange! lol.

[@JohnSmith-kt2xb]

Thanks Ian, what's not to like, a good old hoone around some country lanes. Sweet ride.

[@darrenball4620]

First car I bought was an '85 Manta Berlinetta 1.8 coupe in red back in 1990 - exactly the same as my dad's, so we had a matching pair - along with 3 others owned by relatives, including an '86 GTE 2.0 Coupe in white, which was very nice. Loved the Mantas, they were real head turners. I sold mine to my dad 5 years later, when I moved to the red top Cavalier GSI 2000.

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi ien I really injoyed this video thankyou take care 😊👍🏻

[@dangerotterisrea]

What a beautiful beast!!! This is how cars really should be like 😍😍

[@markvardy5479]

16v red top best engine ever made i had two cars with this engine fitted an Astra gte and a cavalier turbo, keep up the good work.

[@another3997]

Best engine ever made? I'm trying not to laugh, honestly I am, but it's not easy. I suppose your definition of "best" is different to most people's.

[@iainf]

In terms of readily available here in the Uk & at a price most could afford the c20xe is one of the best. Slightly heavy is it’s only criticism.

[@sadasulna6056]

Love it when Hubnut gives in to his hooning side.

[@daviemaclean61]

In the mid to late 80s I knew two people with these, coincidentally both the same colour, and they both absolutely cherished them - washed and polished every few days. Haven't seen one in years. Cheers

[@macaulayholland3516]

Super cool. Such. A nice car

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Absolutely loved this, always wanted a lairy wide arched retro, Chevette HSR, Manta 400, Gartrac Escort or X Pack Capri, did get a Gartrac Escort (MK4 RWD) years ago but sadly never seen the road. Mention of the Ascona reminded me of a mechanic who had a two door Ascona 1600S Berlinetta back in 1990, knew it was rare even back then.

[@tonybilco1317]

Loved this car back in the day sadly I never owned one...great review hubnut as usual thankyou

[@johncarr2420]

I got my NVQ2 in motor engineering while working on a manta, excellent car

[@christopherford1800]

Wow that is one nice car I love the mk1 cav and the manta what a video cheers ian

[@teresapritchett3967]

Great video Ian thanks 🙏

[@adrianfowles7250]

Thank you so much for such a great video! Back in the day I had a few Opel Mantas (A and B) that all had the 1.9 cam-in-head engine. The 2.0 didn't come until later on along with the 1.8 OHC. IIRC the rally 2.4L was the bottom end of a diesel cam-in-head with a Cosworth 16v top end?. Always thought they we're a cut above the Capri with their coil sprung back end - a little more planted and controllable on the road. Would have one again today if I had the time and the space. Thank you again.

[@Finnthedude]

Awesome review! I so wanted a Manta Exclusive in metallic blue, but as a 17 year old I could ill afford one. I had to make do with an 'R' reg MK1 Cavalier GL. I managed to get a Manta dash and steering wheel from a scrappy so to all intents and purposes the view from the driver's seat was the same as being in a Manta. It did have beige velour seats which I'm sure would be HubNut approved.

[@samuraifool912]

What a Gloriously Welsh day to be having fun in..! Low Visibility and Speed what more could one ask for..!! This still makes me Pine for my Poor Old 'Opel Rekord Sprint' that came to a Sad End courtesy of a Council Truck. 😭 I have never got over it's Demise..!! Great Video Hubnut, even if not very Hubnut as such..!! Powerless is more, be Damned...!! Cheers kim in Oz. 😎 with somewhat similar weather here TOO..!! Must be coming from New South Wales..!?😆

[@stephenshippam9374]

Hi Ian,,I think that you was enjoying that road test,,it make a great noise

[@michaelarchangel1163]

A pal had an earlier 1.9 SR, which felt very planted on the road and didn't roll or wallow when cornering. It felt much safer at speed than a Capri.

[@neilmustow368]

Lovely sounding Manta Ian great fun 80's Rally car style

[@PieterHalveLiter]

@2:56 The "Dear God" moment of Terry Harryman

[@tonythorpe396]

I bought a Manta GTE new in November 1985. Cost £7,600 Great car better than a Capri. Better vision better handling just better all round. I did 113,000 trouble free miles in 19 years before it got smashed to pieces by a gang in east London. I always said it could do with a little more power, this engine would have been fantastic although the standard 2 litre was very decent 0-60 in 8.5 seconds 120 mph top speed. I loved the car.

[@alectraproject]

The gear changes are close shift! Sweet!

[@frothe42]

That wiper stalk looks straight out of a US Chevrolet Chevette! The look on your face says it all! Thank you for the review and taking us for a ride!

[@wanderinggentile]

The US Chevette used some Kadett C hardware, as it was based on the Kadett C, albeit filtered through Brazil.

[@nickc4518]

Love this. Looked like so much fun.

[@paulwilliams3710]

Love the video mate, I was so close to buying a GTE but got a Calibra16v instead. (Was far better condition) a Vauxhall Viceroy would be a nice test.

[@JamesG75]

Very nice!

[@andrewlaw]

My first car, the MKI Cavalier 1.9Gl, interior was identical as were the rear lights. Heater controls rather unusually on the right hand side of the instrument binnacle sliding up and down, reg was UGY 260 S

[@KLUTCHdot58]

Love that era of Opel and Vauxhall. I had a droop snoot Firenza many years ago. It was 'de-badged' and nobody had a clue what it was.

[@davecotterill4454]

I had a white 1.8 Berlinetta hatchback when I was in my early 30 s . What a great touch from opel to have Manta Berlinetta in mirror image on the front to let other drivers know what was about to overtake them . It was heartbreaking to lose the car when I had a flat tyre and the jack disappeared into the wing !

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Cracking review, and what a great looking car, cannot beat a bit of old skool cool

[@alansmith1770]

Wow loved it Ian

[@garrytalbot3456]

My 1982 Capri 2.0S GNP 770 X ( i was only 20 couldnt afford to run a 3.0s) has recaro seats very similar to the Manta’s ones but had the horizontally striped laser trim with Fishnet headrests. Such great cars of their times.

[@simonlloyd7557]

I had a couple of these (GT/E Coupe) back in the day. An metallic black one with Irmscher kit), and then another with a 2.2 Carlton engine in white with white alloys (or 80's on 80's as I call it).

[@dougfurniss734]

Great video, I once raced an Opel Manta in a Nissan Bluebird 1.6 and won 🏆

[@paulillingworth1242]

Cool car, I remember one of my old Cavaliers that had the 2.0i engine was awesome.

[@micheltebraake7915]

I've had 2 of its little brothers, the Opel Kadett C Coupe, 1 with a 1.2L engine and 1 was a 1.6L that was converted to a 1.9L engine. Fantastic cars.

[@chriswill5894]

Really enjoyed that, always wanted an Opel Manta especially after watching Russell Brookes and Jimmy Mcrae in the Andews Heat For Hire.. This looked great fun to drive.. I'm very jealous

[@harrisonhunter7512]

Very cool ,great video 👍

[@Populiervogel]

Back in the days my licenses lesson car was a golden Manta like on 1:14, loved it!