With the Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz almost over, closing date for entries is this Sunday, it’s time to return to shake off the cobwebs and return to blogging about all things motoring. To start the New Years blogs I am looking at a hot version of the Opel Manta B the i200.
The second incarnation of the Opel Manta known as the ‘Opel Manta B’ was launched in 1975, and like its predecessor was based on the current model Opel Ascona saloon / sedan, the ‘B’ version of which was also used as a platform for the British range of GM products the Vauxhall Cavalier.
Confusingly for the automotive historian the Opel Manta ‘B’ and first generation Vauxhall Cavallier all featured a droop snoot nose while the saloon / sedan Ascona ‘B’ featured a common to period blunt nose.
In 1979 Opel started a rally competition program for both the Ascona and Manta models with the ‘400’ suffix added to competition variants of both models. This competition program led to several limited production runs of hot versions of the road going Manta’s being produced including i200 seen here which was manufactured in 1984.
‘i’ was a common suffix at the time usually signifying a vehicle fitted with a then less than common fuel injection system, while the i200 certainly had a 1979 cc / 120.7 cui overhead cam four cylinder motor tuned to produce 125 hp, the ‘i’ in i200 stands for the German tuning firm Irmscher who along with Cosworth were responsible for producing the competition versions of the Manta. Irmscher are credited with producing the body kit comprising rear spoiler and side skirts of the i200 model.
Of the 700 Opel Manta i200’s manufactured just 25 are thought to have been made in right hand drive form for the UK market most like this one in Arctic White with racing stripes as used in period by the Rothman’s cigarette brand which sponsored Opel’s competition program.
The Manta which was available in notch back as seen here or hatchback bore a passing resemblance to the larger contemporary Chevrolet Monza.
Thanks for joining me on this Irmscher edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !
PS Don’t forget …
Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz
December 26th – January 2nd
Win a set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards
Set 1 Sports & GT Cars
Set 2 Phil Hill World Drivers Championship 50th Anniversary Edition
Set 3 1934 Season
Set 4 Grand Prix Engines of the 1950’s
or
Set 5 Mike Hawthorn’s Race Cars
The Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will comprise 8 categories.
Overall winner chooses one set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards from the five sets shown above.
The cards measure 15.24cm x 11.43cm, come in packs of 12 with 3 copies of 4 designs in each set, plus A6 envelopes.
Which set will you choose ?
The free to enter Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will run from December 26th – January 2nd Entries close January 8th 2012, Winner announced January 16th 2012.
Full details on December 26th at GALPOT.
