1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

I started looking for a 1971 Opel Manta Rallye for my brother a couple years ago. It was tougher than I thought but worth the quest as it is a worthy cause. My brother and his wife, they are still married, bought a 1971 yellow Manta Rallye new in 1971 and had it a number of years until the family outgrew it. I have always had american muscle cars of all kinds of makes over the years so car discussions are frequent in our family. Almost everytime my brother and sister-in-law always talked fondly of their Rallye, wishing they never had gotten rid of it. So I got to thinking it would be a really neat retirement gift to find one and buy it for him. He retired last year and I started my search too late to make his retirement. But I'm stubborn and kept on looking anyway, I lost out on a few cars along the way but finally scored. Its not like these cars come up for sale on a regular basis.
I bought this car: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291338464216...amp;rmvSB=true I was leaving on a cruise the day after it first appeared on ebay so after some discussions with the owner I pulled the trigger and hit the buy it now as I wasn't in a position to see how it did. These cars are very popular with collectors in Europe. The last one in comparable condition on ebay went north of $10k and ended up in Germany.
I haven't seen it yet but am anxiously awaiting delivery next week. It is a pretty original car from the pics I've seen and discussions with the now former owner. Supposedly a 3 owner car, 60000 miles, in dry storage since 97, original paint. It's supposedly a true survivor. Owner said he dropped a battery in it and it started right up. It is supposedly a rust free car, will see when it gets here. Supposedly the only rust is under the battery tray area, I will be very happy if that is all there is. I plan to clean it up, ensure it's roadworthy, drive it for a few months and then take it to Oregon this summer and surprise my brother and his wife with a belated retirement gift.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951963.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-img_1929.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_1930.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_1931.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_1932.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_1933.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_1934.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951964.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951965.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951966.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951967.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951963.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-img_1929.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_1930.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_1931.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_1932.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_1933.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_1934.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951964.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951965.jpg
[img]https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951966.jpg[/img]
[img]https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951967.jpg[/img]

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

Wow....I got canned chili from my brother as a retirement gift [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] Very generous gesture on your part, Dave, and it looks like a nice solid car!

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

I am not sure why so few of those survived.

I get the rust in the northern cars....

I was the Opel mechanic at the OKC Buick dealership during part of the 70's. I have owned three. I owned a 70 Ralley, gold with black stripes and hood, and a Navy blue 72 Manta. I also briefly owned a 74 Manta after the 72 was rear ended.

Very solid cars, just not great performers, although the Manta cornered very well for a live axle car. I keep thinking I will find a cherry 70 Ralley someday, but pretty sure it isn't happening.

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

BTW, you need to tell the seller to take down the CL ad:

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/4825535344.html

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

Thanks, I did and he said he will. Little fishy since the car was sold more than 4 days ago. Appreciate the heads up.

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

Neat car...and the ad is down!

Good for you, Dave [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

Opels are great cars. The European Chevy.

Those four-bangers are good engines, in my youth I had several Rekords. One easy way to make them faster was to change the cylinder head on the 1900 engine to a head from a 1700. You got more compression by doing that. In those days there were parts and cars everywhere and you could easily find good parts for nothing. I had one with that engine setup and a 4.22 rear axle, it was really quick off the lights and smoked the tires. It clocked 16 sec on the 1/4-mile :-)

Only problem with them were the rust, a lot of pockets underneath where salt and grime accumulates.

One saying from those days:
&quot;Buy an Opel and be satisfied, through the floor you'll see the countryside&quot;

Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
 

Let me know if you need any parts. I'm in Opel land.