![]() The sequel followed just five years after the premiereĪlready in 1975, the next Manta made its debut with the B version. The GT/E-based “Black Magic” was all black with orange stripes on its flanks. The last special model arrived in 1975, shortly before the debut of the Manta B. The trend towards matt instead of chrome trim continued with the Manta GT/E. The Manta GT/E, powered by a 105hp, 1.9-litre engine with Bosch L Jetronic fuel injection, appeared in 1974. The five years of production were enriched by numerous special model variants – “Holiday”, “Plus”, “Swinger” and “Summer Bazar” combined up-market specifications with modest prices. ![]() The standard equipment included sports steering wheel, heated rear window, halogen headlamps, electric windscreen washers and vinyl roof. The Manta range began with the 60hp 1.2 in 1972, followed in November of the same year by the luxuriously equipped Manta Berlinetta. The most powerful engine in the Manta was the four-cylinder 1.9 S with 90hp, also used by the Opel Rekord. The Ascona shared the platform, suspension and engines. In the first full year of sales, Opel moved 56,200 units of the Manta out of the showrooms 498,553 left the factory in total. Individuality was in fashion, the Manta’s shape and lines were just what the market was looking for. Attractive coupés that could accommodate four were highly popular. The Manta was new, smart and sporty, and perfectly timed. “Instead of making an existing model obsolete, the car we are presenting today is an addition to our range and meets a new demand from the market,” said the press release at the time. For Opel, the Manta was a step into new territory. Appropriately enough, the presentation took place at Timmendorfer Strand on the German Baltic Sea coast. The sporty Manta made its debut in September 1970. The Manta made its debut at Timmendorfer Strand The Opel Manta had found its identity and from then on got the iconic chrome-plated emblem attached to the front fenders. Until finally there was a shot in which a gigantic manta ray filmed from below against the bright surface. ![]() So Gallion got on the plane and looked at Cousteau's images in the French capital. Now we had ten days to design a logo, but we couldn't find any suitable templates for it”, “At that time, animal names matched the zeitgeist, the Ford Mustang and Corvette Stingray were very successful in the United States. “We had chosen the name ‘Manta’”, said Gallion, 51 years after his Paris mission. The American designer who worked at Opel had agreed to meet the team of French marine researcher, Jacques Cousteau. On a Saturday morning in 1969, Gallion boarded a plane to Paris. Opel chief designer, George Gallion, on a secret mission, first discovered the ray from Rüsselsheim. The Manta’s range extends from the German Baltic Sea to the American Pacific coast. This year, the coupé with the ray as logo is celebrating its 50th birthday. It belongs to the Mobula genus (rays, stingrays) – the Opel Manta, probably the most fishy representative in a long line of Opel classics. Big fish: Manta A and B produced over one million times.On the Baltic Sea coast: world premiere at appropriate location.From marine researchers and designers: how the Opel Manta got its logo.
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