Out of all of the potential Group B selections to choose from, whether it be the all-conquering Audi Quattro, the wild Lancia 037 or it’s infamous Delta Integrale cousin, the equally infamous Ford RS200, or the pocket-rocket Renault 5 Turbo, my eyes keep wandering back to this: the Opel Manta 400. Visually, there’s more than a hint of Chevy Monza with a widebody kit here, which isn’t a bad thing. The Manta B, along with the Opel Ascona B, were tagged to be rally cars for FISA (re-read: FIA) and of course, had to have a homologation special version in order to compete. The Manta 400 is that homologation special: with a wicked-up 2.4L four-banger, Ronal-designed wheels, and the proper body kitting, the Manta 400 was meant to be a performer…that being said, you have to understand both the time period and the nature of European cars of the period for the numbers to make sense. A basic Manta 400 would make about 144 horsepower, while the “Phase 2” modifications would net you 230 horsepower and the unofficial “Phase 3” tune would push you towards 300 horsepower. For a street car in Europe that was sold between 1981 and 1984, that was potent.
In racing, however, the Manta was a bit of a disappointment. For starters, it was rear-wheel-drive in a time period where the only car that could attempt to knock Audi off of their throne was the Lancia 037, and it only managed that feat once. In fact, as far as World Rally Championship is concerned, the Manta was a failure…the car only nailed a 3rd place spot at RAC Rally in 1983 thanks to Jimmy McRae’s driving. But in national rallies, the Manta was more than capable of stomping, and unlike most other Group B monsters, the Manta wasn’t affected by the 1986 ban and raced into the 1990s. The race cars themselves are interesting, but it is the street-going version that I have interest in. And that’s what you will get to experience below.
