Test report by CoMod Chris on the Opel Manta A "Tuner"
(analog 27232 and digital 30431)
The Manta - books were written about this vehicle, films were made and countless jokes were cracked. Above all, however, the Manta was one of the most popular tuning objects, so that today there are almost more pimped-up vehicles than true-to-original ones.
On the roads, however, you almost exclusively come across the Manta B, which is no wonder, as it was built from 1975 to 1988. In contrast, its predecessor, the Manta A, only rolled off the production line for 5 years. The most legendary Manta, on the other hand, was not produced by Opel, but by the Belgian company "Transeurop Engineering", abbreviated to TE. The 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine from the Opel Commodore was transplanted into the Manta, which u.anecessitated a slight lengthening of the front end. In addition, the customer was given crisp mudguard extensions, which also showed externally that this was no normal Manta. Contemporary sources speak of fewer than 100 vehicles built.
And it was precisely this TE 2800 thatCarrera was used as the model for the slot miniature, which is made clear by the "TE 2800" lettering embossed into the chassis. In a green color scheme, the car starts in both the digital and analogue range, the latter as a single vehicle and also as part of the "Tuner Classic" starter pack. A red Manta in Carrera design has also been announced; this is to be released exclusively as an analog version.
The delicate body shape of the Manta is very well implemented in the model, and the garish, poisonous green color scheme makes the car an absolute eye-catcher and is even reflected in the rims. The matt black hood and the black window surrounds and trim strips create an attractive contrast. There are also oversized Opel lightning bolts on the hood and doors, as well as the "Manta A Power" lettering in the original Opel style. Some of the "details" on the female passenger are also oversized, while the driver sports a muscle shirt and mullet hairstyle in true Opel style. One small fly in the ointment remains - the body is a little high on the chassis at the rear, presumably this jacked-up look was also quite popular in the 80s.
Let's move on to the technology - although the chassis is basically a special design for
the Manta, it features only familiar elements: the separately removable rear engine axle unit, the innovative guide keel design and the option of digital retrofitting. The angle of rotation of the guide keel could be greater, but there is nothing wrong with its position. The setup is limited - as almost always - to removing the rear magnet and setting the highest possible ground clearance for the center magnet. The small dimensions of the Manta suggest a hectic driving behavior, and so the car goes quite aggressively around the curves, but always remains well controllable. There are no deslotting or similar unpleasant surprises. It therefore lives up to its nickname "tuner" and proves to be a suitable opponent for theGo lf GTI.
Personally, I would be delighted if there were more color variants of it in the next few years - the color palette of the 70s and 80s has a lot to offer in this respect, and there were also attractive special models such as the "Black Magic", which would certainly do very well on the racetrack.
CoMod Chris
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Test report from CoMod Lotus on the Opel Manta A "Tuner"
(analog 27232 and digital 30431)
How do you start a report on the Opel Manta?
Let's take a different approach: let's let Wikipedia do the talking or quote from the Internet lexicon!
"The Opel Manta is a type of passenger car that was introduced by Adam-Opel-AG in September 1970. It was a five-seater, two-door coupe with a water-cooled four-cylinder front engine and rear-wheel drive. The Manta and Manta driver were memorialized in the film 'Manta, Manta und Manta - Der Film', just as the VW Beetle once was, albeit often with a rather ironic and derogatory character. Uncountable songs - e.g. Manta by Norbert und die Feiglinge - and Manta jokes were created about the Manta driver as one of the most widespread and highly stylized stereotypes for a kind of chav: Foxtail on the aerial, six-pack in the back seat, blonde - who is a hairdresser by profession - in the passenger seat, this was the stereotype of a Manta driver. The stereotypical Manta driver also has (had) a low level of education, macho behavior, cowboy boots, an elbow hanging out of the window in all weathers and many other characteristics considered embarrassing by others.'
That's exactly what the new Manta fromCarrera looks like! There could not have been a better realization of the cult car. First a few words about the characters: the female passenger has a bust that would make Sonja Kraus turn pale. The driver wears a black muscle shirt, a Go money chain and has the classic mullet. Very true to the original, see above!
About the car itself: We have the Manta here in the tuner version with the fender flares. The paintwork is absolutely contemporary. Bright colors were absolutely in at the time, parking spaces were colorful and not uniformly silver. The radiator grille in matt black (to prevent light reflections), the huge OPEL logo on the hood, the racing stripes, the OPEL lightning bolt and lettering on the side. A very nice detail: the LUI sun visor on the windshield. The paintwork is very detailed and clean, a small drawback on my model is the slight imperfection on the edge of the hood. I like the spoke rims the best: This is a painted photo etched part!
The body itself is very sturdy and can also withstand run-offs without any problems. The car is absolutely suitable for children, should dad ever let the car out of his hands.
And it handles as sleekly as it looks. The 97 grams of plastic and metal shred around the bends on the grippy tires; the acceleration is good and the magnets keep the car safely on track. Without magnets it is a little more difficult to drive, as it comes closer to the original than it wants to. In tight bends, it then slips out quickly.
Conclusion: The stingray is a worthy opponent for the VWGo lf GTI. If the Ford Capri or Escort were to come along now, the classic disco cars of the 80s would be complete.
CoMod Lotus
(analog 27232 and digital 30431)
The Manta - books were written about this vehicle, films were made and countless jokes were cracked. Above all, however, the Manta was one of the most popular tuning objects, so that today there are almost more pimped-up vehicles than true-to-original ones.
On the roads, however, you almost exclusively come across the Manta B, which is no wonder, as it was built from 1975 to 1988. In contrast, its predecessor, the Manta A, only rolled off the production line for 5 years. The most legendary Manta, on the other hand, was not produced by Opel, but by the Belgian company "Transeurop Engineering", abbreviated to TE. The 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine from the Opel Commodore was transplanted into the Manta, which u.anecessitated a slight lengthening of the front end. In addition, the customer was given crisp mudguard extensions, which also showed externally that this was no normal Manta. Contemporary sources speak of fewer than 100 vehicles built.
And it was precisely this TE 2800 that
The delicate body shape of the Manta is very well implemented in the model, and the garish, poisonous green color scheme makes the car an absolute eye-catcher and is even reflected in the rims. The matt black hood and the black window surrounds and trim strips create an attractive contrast. There are also oversized Opel lightning bolts on the hood and doors, as well as the "Manta A Power" lettering in the original Opel style. Some of the "details" on the female passenger are also oversized, while the driver sports a muscle shirt and mullet hairstyle in true Opel style. One small fly in the ointment remains - the body is a little high on the chassis at the rear, presumably this jacked-up look was also quite popular in the 80s.
Let's move on to the technology - although the chassis is basically a special design for
the Manta, it features only familiar elements: the separately removable rear engine axle unit, the innovative guide keel design and the option of digital retrofitting. The angle of rotation of the guide keel could be greater, but there is nothing wrong with its position. The setup is limited - as almost always - to removing the rear magnet and setting the highest possible ground clearance for the center magnet. The small dimensions of the Manta suggest a hectic driving behavior, and so the car goes quite aggressively around the curves, but always remains well controllable. There are no deslotting or similar unpleasant surprises. It therefore lives up to its nickname "tuner" and proves to be a suitable opponent for the
Personally, I would be delighted if there were more color variants of it in the next few years - the color palette of the 70s and 80s has a lot to offer in this respect, and there were also attractive special models such as the "Black Magic", which would certainly do very well on the racetrack.
CoMod Chris
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Test report from CoMod Lotus on the Opel Manta A "Tuner"
(analog 27232 and digital 30431)
How do you start a report on the Opel Manta?
Let's take a different approach: let's let Wikipedia do the talking or quote from the Internet lexicon!
"The Opel Manta is a type of passenger car that was introduced by Adam-Opel-AG in September 1970. It was a five-seater, two-door coupe with a water-cooled four-cylinder front engine and rear-wheel drive. The Manta and Manta driver were memorialized in the film 'Manta, Manta und Manta - Der Film', just as the VW Beetle once was, albeit often with a rather ironic and derogatory character. Uncountable songs - e.g. Manta by Norbert und die Feiglinge - and Manta jokes were created about the Manta driver as one of the most widespread and highly stylized stereotypes for a kind of chav: Foxtail on the aerial, six-pack in the back seat, blonde - who is a hairdresser by profession - in the passenger seat, this was the stereotype of a Manta driver. The stereotypical Manta driver also has (had) a low level of education, macho behavior, cowboy boots, an elbow hanging out of the window in all weathers and many other characteristics considered embarrassing by others.'
That's exactly what the new Manta from
About the car itself: We have the Manta here in the tuner version with the fender flares. The paintwork is absolutely contemporary. Bright colors were absolutely in at the time, parking spaces were colorful and not uniformly silver. The radiator grille in matt black (to prevent light reflections), the huge OPEL logo on the hood, the racing stripes, the OPEL lightning bolt and lettering on the side. A very nice detail: the LUI sun visor on the windshield. The paintwork is very detailed and clean, a small drawback on my model is the slight imperfection on the edge of the hood. I like the spoke rims the best: This is a painted photo etched part!
The body itself is very sturdy and can also withstand run-offs without any problems. The car is absolutely suitable for children, should dad ever let the car out of his hands.
And it handles as sleekly as it looks. The 97 grams of plastic and metal shred around the bends on the grippy tires; the acceleration is good and the magnets keep the car safely on track. Without magnets it is a little more difficult to drive, as it comes closer to the original than it wants to. In tight bends, it then slips out quickly.
Conclusion: The stingray is a worthy opponent for the VW
CoMod Lotus
