John,
Sorry, the Opel Manta was a two door sedan that was sort of sporty. They
were a favorite among "boy racers" in Germany. They would be (and still
are) "tricked out" and the drivers would go like hell from one gas (petrol)
station to the next. In fact, Mantas and Manta drivers are the butt of
jokes in Germany, much like blond jokes. For example (and forgive me, as
jokes are hard to translate):
Q: Why does a Manta driver have a bale of hay in the passagers seat?
A: Because anything blonde will do.
The Opel GT was the "Mini-Vette."
"Jay"
John S. van Syckel
1971 MGB (BRG, no PO)
MG Car Club Deutschland, e.V.
AMGBA #78-568
> ----------
> From: john.kahoon@pcohio.com[SMTP:john.kahoon@pcohio.com]
> Sent: Donnerstag, 12. März 1998 11:04
> To: MGS@autox.team.net
> Subject: RE: NON-LBC - Opel GT Que
>
> NE>l GT Question
> NE>Message-ID:
> <c=US%a=_%p=Delphi_Packard_E%l=ENG2-980311204508Z-2457@eng.p
>
> Don't you mean the opel Manta ? ( mini corvette )
> John Kahoon
> 71 Midget
>
> NE>I remember them! Looked like a miniature Corvette to me, but with more
> NE>curves. A friend had one, back around '79-82. His was pretty
> NE>unreliable, but fun to drive when it ran. I think it had around a 2
> NE>litter engine, Zenith(?) carburator, steel body, 4 speed, leather
> NE>interior, German made. Hide-away headlamps are cable operated, a real
> NE>fun (NOT!) job to adjust and get working in sync. Interior seemed
> NE>pretty compact, and neither my friend or myself is over 5'10". He
> tried
> NE>to autocross it a couple of times but never did well, even in the hands
> NE>of some other more skilled drivers. Gave up when the reliability
> NE>problems got worse. Still sitting in his parents back yard in Texas (I
> NE>think?). I've seen people stuff big V-8's in them but I surely do not
> NE>know how - the engine bay is very cramped, even for the 4 banger in
> it.,
> NE>especially in a the vertical direction. But a pretty cool looking car
> NE>none the less. They're pretty rare now.
>
> NE>Ed Nunez
>
>
> NE>>-----Original Message-----
> NE>>From: Christopher Delling [SMTP:saschris@flash.net]
> NE>>Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 1998 3:21 PM
> NE>>To: 'mgs@autox.team.net'
> NE>>Subject: NON-LBC - Opel GT Question
> NE>>
> NE>>Thought I would troll for some answers from the list - seems like
> there are
> NE>>lot of people on the list who have experience with other than LBC's.
> NE>>
> NE>>Saw a very attractive Opel GT for sale this ayem. Don't know nuttin
> bout d
> NE>>little furrin cars, but thought y'all might.
> NE>>
> NE>>I have always liked the looks of these cars, sort of a 2/3 scale
> Ferrari or
> NE>>somthing. Are they decent cars? Can a 6' 4" driver sit in one a see
> out
> NE>>(unlike my MGB with the top up BTW). I've never seen one at any local
> SCCA
> NE>>or Vintage race events - does this mean that the cars doesn't live up
> to it
> NE>>sporting pretentions (kinda like a vintage version of the Mercury
> Capri
> NE>>ragtop of the early 90's?)
> NE>>
> NE>>Any opinions, rumor speculation or experience her?
> NE>>
> NE>>Regards,
> NE>>
> NE>>Chris Delling
> ---
> þ SLMR 2.1a þ john.kahoon@pcohio.com
>
> _ _
> |_|_| PC-OHIO Interactive * 216-381-3320 * telnet://bbs.pcohio.com
> |_|_| Combining The Best BBS & The Web at http://www.pc-ohio.com
>
>
|