1974 Opel Manta Luxus: German Cutlass Supreme or Munich Mustang?
Let’s get one thing straight: I only have a rudimentary knowledge of Opel. My introduction to its existence was probably circa 1991 when, as an avid watcher of the Nick at Nite cable-TV channel, I was introduced to the classic show, Get Smart. Of course, Max’s Sunbeam Tiger is better known, but the last couple of seasons he traded it in for a gold Opel GT, Germany’s Mini-Me 1968 Corvette Stingray. Oh, and my friend Bryan Saunders owned a Manta and used it as his daily driver for a few years in the ’90s, believe it or not. He loved that car and would be thrilled to find another one! Funny thing, I remember seeing it in traffic a few times, but had no idea then that it was his car.
For those not in the know, Opel was GM’s German division for many decades until it was ultimately sold to Fiat in 2021. Opel typically had a lot in common with Vauxhall in England—another GM division, as I’m sure most would guess. While Opel was a part of GM, the marque had no equivalents to Caprice Classic convertibles, Fleetwood Talismans, or the like.
But Opel did have some pretty Broughamy offerings, such as the Diplomat and Kapitan. Those larger models, however, never were sold in the U.S.
The Manta was the sporty, affordable coupe in the lineup, and like American offerings of the time (like the Cougar and Firebird), it was available with myriad options, from plain to fancy. Its closest competitor in the home market was likely the Ford Capri, a similarly sporty coupe.
If I may digress a moment, my dad had a Capri, a bright yellow ’74 with a terra cotta-colored interior, a V-6 engine, and a stick shift. When he got a new company car, my mom drove it for a while, but she wasn’t thrilled with the manual transmission (she preferred an automatic), so it was traded in on a near-new ’73 Volvo 1800ES sports wagon.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes, Opels. The Manta first came out in late 1970. Like the Ford Capri, it was based on a family sedan beneath the swoopy sheet metal—in this case, the Opel Ascona. I’m not sure of all the variants in Germany, but based on my 1972 Opel brochure, available U.S. models were the Rallye and Sport Coupe. As you’d expect, the Rallye had a blacked-out hood, side stripes, sport wheels with bright trim rings and side stripes, and other extras.
Interestingly, at least in 1972, these cars were not badged Manta but as “1900 Sport Coupe” or “1900 Rallye.” In the same vein, the Ascona was simply called the 1900 in the States.
For ’73, the U.S. Opel line was reshuffled a bit. The “baby Corvette” Opel GT made its last appearance. And the 1900 Sport Coupes became Mantas, just like their siblings sold in Germany. The Manta and Manta Rally reprised their places, but there was a new model: the Manta Luxus.
And as you’d guess, the Luxus was the fancy-schmancy version. As the brochure relayed, “Manta Luxus … an inexpensive, plush European luxury car at a very practical price. And a brand new idea of what a luxury car should be.
“With the same advanced mechanical features that have won it acclaim from the world’s automotive experts. But inside its roomy interior you’ll find a velvety soft upholstery that doesn’t look at all like a little economy car.
“If you’ve always wanted the comfort and luxury you only seem to be able to find in big cars, but like the economy and handling of a small sporty car … we’re happy we found you.”
To me, it seemed like the Luxus was kind of a baby Cutlass Supreme, with velour seats, wood (or at least, wood-toned) trim, and additional bright trim on the exterior. Per the brochure, other features included an electric clock, custom headliner, carpeted trunk, sport steering wheel, and a chrome exhaust tip.
A vinyl top was available but optional, as were a sun roof, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and whitewall tires. A 1.9-liter four-cylinder was the sole engine option, with a standard four-speed manual. Overall length was 171 inches with a 95.7-inch wheelbase—at least on the ’73 models.
The 1974 Mantas were largely the same, but gained—as many other new cars did—much bigger bumpers, front and rear. Overall length was bumped (pun intended) to 176.1 inches. Horsepower was 75 at 4800 rpm, breathing through a two-barrel carburetor. Yes, it was the ’70s, with all that “fun” early emissions equipment! The ’72s had still had 90 horses.
The Luxus continued as the top Manta, along with the base sport coupe and Rallye, and it got top billing on page two and three of the ’74 brochure. The previous year’s velvet/velour cloth was replaced with corduroy, and as seen on our featured car, vinyl upholstery was also available. The styled road wheels also carried on. And Luxuses were available in four exclusive colors: dark blue, bright metallic blue, silver, and burgundy.
I discovered our featured car several years ago in the small town of Nauvoo, Illinois. I had driven down for the excellent Grape Festival Car Show, held every Labor Day weekend, and did a major double take when I saw this car parked at a disused gas station. My uncle said he’d seen the car on and off for years. But now it was just sitting. It looked to be in very nice, albeit dusty, shape. I loved the burgundy/burgundy color combination too. You just don’t see Opels of this vintage. I have seen maybe three ’70s examples in Iowa and Illinois since I was a kid. So, of course, I took plenty of photos.
German Opels appeared in U.S. Buick-Opel dealerships for the last time in 1975. The biggest news was fuel injection. But it was the last time you could get a Manta here. Due to the exchange rates, starting in ’76 the “Opel Isuzu” was the sole offering. Too bad; the Manta was a pretty car.
[As for German Mantas, a totally new, rather futuristic-looking car replaced this body style.]
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I borrowed a 75 Fuel injected coupe while restoring a BMW 2002, in 1986. It was traded into the Dealer running on 3 cylinders. My friend bought it and replace one fuel injector, and just like that it was running fine. He was kind enough to lend it to me for a few weeks. I loved that little car. I would say that the shifter was so long it went like I was shifting a school bus! But is was awesome, and even handled snow well.I would have one in a minute. One just went off on a popular auction site for 11K!
I drove a 73 base model in baby blue like the one in your brochure for 10 years. Bought used in 75, and i never replaced the clutch in those years as a daily driver. When the driver’s seat wore out I replaced it with a burgundy Luxus seat from a junkyard. Also had an orange 74 parts car. Solid German cars, but built as economy models, so some corners were cut.
My Dad and I looked at these new in 1970, at which time we cross-shopped Pintos and Vegas. To my 14-y-o eyes, the Manta was the pull-away winner, with way cooler looks and engine than either American offering. But my Mom wouldn’t have a car built in Germany, so we bought a Pinto. Then we bought another Pinto, this time with an automatic. American Horror Story.
I had a ’74 Opel Manta Rallye, 4-speed with A/C. Great car! All it needed was a 5-speed. Would love to have another if one could be found in really good condition.
I had one too in a 4spd, red interior, white ext! It was starting to rust a little so I painted it black. I never had more fun then running through the gears daily driving! I come to realize if you have a very fast car in stick you really can’t enjoy it, by the time you hit third you have to shut your acceleration down if you don’t want a ticket! No problem with the Manta due to it’s lower HP, but it was still fun! My brother came home with a brand new Red 1970 GT, just beautiful! He had 2 major accidents in one year, ladies said it was so small they didn’t notice it! Painting their nails!!! To see his face the first day compared to his look after the accidents was heartbreaking! The insurance wouldn’t total the new GT because of cost, thus it was shot after those accidents!
I hade a 74 Manta. The Manta was equivalent to the Chevy Vega, some of the part even interchanged. Was a good first car.
My first brand new car was a 1971 Opel 1900 Rallye. First thing I did was get rid of the 2ply bias Goodyears and repace them with Michelin ZX’s. Then came Koni shocks. I truly loved that car. All for $2500.
When I was in college my roommate had a baby blue Manta. Another friend had a bright yellow one. I graduated in 1977 and my great uncle offered me a great price for his red Manta but it had an automatic and I wanted a stick. Instead, I got a nice discount on a new, year-end close-out Mazda Rx-4 coupe. I wish I had a nice clean example of either of those cars.
It has an import look on the outside with a domestic style interior look.
Respectfully ask what part interchanged between an Opel Manta and a Vega?
We had a 74 Manta, I believe the 4 speed manuals were essentially the same as what was in a Vega.
My brother got his license in 1973 and wanted a Capri, but couldn’t afford it. Next on his list was an Opel, either the GT or a Manta, but, you guessed it, couldn’t afford it. So he got a Pinto. Actually a pretty good car. His was a 2 liter, four speed model, which was probably the best combo. But it certainly was a step down from either the Capri or Manta!
I had a Opel Manta that I bought new in 1972. Loved that car and put over 175k miles on it before I sold the car. I would have liked a fuel injected one but by the time I was ready for a new car the German made Opel was not being sold here in the States.
I’ve owned at least a dozen Opels (Asconas, wagons, and Mantas) in the 1970s-1990s. For me they did everything right except impress people. Some were modified (twin 40 DCOE Webers, headers, Isky cam, pistions, Bilsteins, Addco bars, another with a turbo), most others just stock. They all did their job as intended, if not more. The 1900 engine was indestructible as long as you changed the oil frequently. The fuel injected ones worked so smoothly-when they worked but dirty gas (prevalent in upstate NY at the time) would do them in. And they were great in the snow with aggressive treaded tires (Nokias!). A friend and I drove a ’74 Wagon to Alaska in February, 1980. Put on about 7500 miles in 2 weeks. Great cars and I still have several left but haven’t played with them for a while.
Opels out of my price range (I know) but did get a couple of Pintos along the way and the timing belt went on both of them shoulda got the Opel loved that GT
These used to do quite well in the old “Showroom Stock” racing series, often promoted by Car & Driver. Good lookers, to be sure; they even handled the big bumpers with some grace, especially compared to cars such as the 1974 Pinto. I cannot recall when last I saw a Manta in person, but it probably was not in this century – and I go to many cars shows each year.
i had an 69 opal cadet can’t recall the year iboughy it but was my first car i also had an 71
opal GT absolutely loved those cars