The Opel Manta, its reputation, and all the jokes around it.

Its hard-fought and hard-working career to reach classic car status

From birth to stigmatization to recognition

The Opel Manta belongs to that generation of so-called “industrial coupes”. Appeared in 1970, living two generations (Manta A and Manta B), and ceased production in 1988 with almost a million units. It is said that almost all classic vehicles go through a “desert crossing” in which they go from anachronistic to old, and from old to classic. The Opel Manta also, but it was also a vehicle that went twice through this “via crucis” of anachronism, denigration and stigmatization – in Germany and Spain, at different times – before becoming a classic with all its rights and recognitions. But that stigmatization was perhaps one of the keys that saved it from oblivion.

Disclaimer and opening remarks: Good humor!

First of all, I will tell you about the preliminaries 😊

We have an Opel Manta ourselves. You can see it here
My first car was an Opel Manta (not the current one shown here) -of which I have indelible memories. And even today, I remember the sensation of sitting for the first time at the controls (a sensation that I have probably never felt in any other car to this day).
The reason for my arrival in the world of classic cars precisely that first Opel Manta, on which I was working on its restoration and commissioning after its “decommissioning from daily car service”.

Please read this article with the perspective that it is written by an owner of not one, but two Opel Manta, -so he has been the first to experience these jokes in the flesh-, always with good humor, but above all with affection and affection for the model, for the personal involvement I had, and still have with it.

Having said that, let’s get started:

How did I know about this "Opel Manta jokes"?

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to work with several German colleagues in a professional project which took about two of years. After sharing many hours of work, it is usual to develop a good friendship, spend time in general talks, talk about life, personal aspects and hobbies – they were actually really nice people all of them. And among others, we were able to share conversations about cars, culture and automotive curiosities.

At that time, I was restoring my first Opel Manta, a car that as I said here at the beginning, at one time was my daily car, and which I had a special affection for. One day, while we were talking about cars, I mentioned my Manta and my conservation work, to my surprise, they looked at me with a smile and then said: “Don’t you know what the fame is here in Germany about the Opel Manta?

And it was then when they told me that there was a whole tradition of jokes about that car and about the archetypal owner of it. They told me that, during the 80’s and 90’s, the car became an icon of what here in Spain would be called “cañí”, of exaggerated tuning, things like that. And they told me that the ‘Manta-Fahrer’ (Manta drivers) had a reputation for being somewhat peculiar, of a low average cultural level, ostentatious in what in Spain is called a “wannabe” and somewhat what we would say here -sorry for the expression- “chav”, “boy racer” or something like that.

I found that quite funny, and I still remember some of the jokes I was told. The commentary didn’t really bother me, and in fact I found some of them quite witty and proof of how popular culture sometimes gives a life of its own to certain cars and their owners.

The Opel Manta: Today it is a classic car but it wasn't always like this

Over the years, the Opel Manta has gone from being the butt of jokes – in Germany, but also in Spain – to becoming an appreciated classic car, perhaps I wouldn’t say as much as “cult”, but with a fan base that claims it as a classic worthy of admiration, and a part of the population of a certain age group that remembers it as a “very cool” car in its time.

The Opel Manta and the jokes about it in Germany

Let’s go for it, and I’ll tell you about it – and the jokes that went with it in its country of origin. 😊 –

The Opel Manta’s “cheesy” or “boy racer” reputation in Germany clearly began in the early 1980s, and was related to a combination of social, economic and cultural factors specific to the country at that time.

I’ll explain how it came about:

Popularity with working-class youth: In the early 1980s, the Opel Manta B (1975-1988) was an affordable sports car for young German workers, especially in industrial areas such as the Ruhr area. This led to a strong association with working-class and youth sectors:

Being relatively inexpensive, it was accessible to young people looking for a car that looked more expensive and sporty. It was in a way the sports car for those who could not afford Audi, BMW or Mercedes models.
Many owners began to modify it, adding eye-catching accessories such as large rims, sport stickers, aerodynamic kits, and the iconic foxtail hanging on the antenna.

Opel Manta jokes and cultural references in Germany

The Opel Manta (Opel sports model produced in the 1970s-1980s) – but especially the Manta B – quickly became synonymous with automotive kitsch in Germany and gave rise to countless jokes and pranks. In the 1980s and early 1990s, a whole genre of humor arose around the “Mantafahrer” (Mantadriver).

These jokes made fun of the stereotypes associated with the owners of this car, portraying them as young working-class show-offs, not very intelligent, obsessed with tuning their car and with blonde hairdresser girlfriends -yes hairdressers, don’t ask me why, hairdressers- . The popularity of these jokes was such that they transcended the oral joke: Manta became a cultural phenomenon reflected in movies, TV shows and even commercials in Germany. Below, we explore the context and some of the most popular jokes about the Opel Manta, along with their references in German culture.

The stereotypical Manta driver

The typical protagonist of the jokes, the “Mantafahrer”, was described with a number of caricatured characteristics:

Socio-cultural profile: Opel Manta drivers were generically called “Manni” (short for Manfred, and I’ll tell you why below). The archetypal Manta driver was a working-class young man (often from the Ruhr industrial area) with macho manners and who – fairly or unfairly – was neither highly intelligent nor cultured – the problem with stereotypes is that they end up with labels that are difficult to remove.
Her usual companion was “the blonde hairdresser”, that is, the girlfriend with “hydrogen peroxide blonde” hair who works in a hairdresser’s shop.
His car, the Manta: it was his pride and joy and a reflection of status. The vehicle often appeared tuned or modified: lowered suspension, bodywork adorned with sport details (alloy wheels, racing stripes, additional headlights) and accessories such as a fox tail hanging from the antenna and a large “Kenwood” audio brand sticker on the rear window.
His attitude: The driver always drives with his elbow sticking out of the window, a cocky gesture that, according to the joke, even rusted the door because of his sweat.
Education and manner of speaking: a low level of education (at most junior high school, Hauptschule, often repeated) and a speech peppered with colloquialisms such as “ey” or “boah” were attributed to him.

And this was the picture under which the prototypical Opel Manta driver/owner was grouped. This exaggeratedly simple character even resorted to crude pick-up lines, reinforcing his image as a somewhat kitschy, straightforward type.

Jokes and jokes

The humor of the Manta’s jokes came from contrasting this strident and vulgar image of the mantafahrer with everyday situations, taking his supposed cultural and intellectual limitations to the absurd. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Examples of popular jokes about the Opel Manta:

“What’s the shortest joke: An Opel Manta parked in front of the university.”

“What’s left after a fatal crash of a Manta? – A gold chain and a hairdresser in mourning.And why was the funeral held on Monday? – Because Monday is the hairdressers’ day off.”

This joke strings together several clichés of the mantafahrer: after a fatal crash, only the symbols of his lifestyle survive (his ostentatious golden chain and his hairdresser girlfriend crying). And he finishes off the joke by alluding to the fact that in Germany many hairdressing salons are closed on Mondays, so the bride could only attend the funeral on that day.

Horn vs. brakes: In another joke:
“a Manta driver goes to the garage and asks to have his horn fixed; the mechanic tells him that, by the way, he should have his brakes repaired, since they don’t work. The mantafahrer replies: ‘I know… that’s why I need the horn!'”

Crash into the tree: “What does a Manta driver say right after hitting a tree? – ‘That’s weird… but I honked my horn

Brain “brand new”: An anecdote is told of a customer visiting a brain transplant clinic. The doctor shows him several brains and points to a very expensive one saying, “This one is special…it’s the brain of a Manta driver…it’s brand new unused!”

Headlights and sunglasses: “Why do Opel Manta’s carry eight auxiliary headlights? – So that the driver can wear sunglasses at night.”

These jokes – and dozens of other variants – were frequently told in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s and became part of popular humorous folklore. The structure is reminiscent of other joke cycles based on stereotypes (such as the leper jokes in Spain, Polish jokes in the USA or Belgian jokes in France), where a group or archetype is the fixed target of the joke. In this case, the Opel Manta and its owner were immortalized in German culture, but in fact as objects of mockery surely more affectionate than cruel, and also portraying the Opel Manta owner-types as naive rather than malicious.

The Opel Manta and its stereotype in Germany
- In German culture, the Opel Manta was associated with tacky drivers, exaggerated tuning, eighties hairstyles and a cocky attitude.
- This stereotype was popularized by the “Manta-Witze” (Manta jokes) and movies such as Manta Manta Manta (1991).
Word play on the license plate “BOH”.
- The car’s license plate shows “BOH EY 80”, which phonetically sounds similar to “Boah, hey!” in German, an expression of astonishment or enthusiasm similar to “Wow!” or “Wow!”.
- “BOH” is an old abbreviation for Bocholt, a city in Germany.
- Currently, cars in Bocholt use the license plate “BOR” (for the district of Borken), and some nostalgic residents want to bring back the old code BOH.

Scene and humor
- A man with a mullet hairstyle, sunglasses and open shirt (classic “Manta Fahrer”) is showing off his car.
- It says: “BOH-EY!!!! Voll der aufgemotzte Manta!!!”, which means something like:
  “BOH-EY!!! A totally tuned-up Manta!”
- The phrase “BOH-EY” plays on the license plate “BOH” and the typical exaggerated way of speaking of Manta drivers.
- At the bottom of the joke, it is mentioned that in the tuning scene in Bocholt they are excited about the idea that the license plate “BOH” can be used again, because it matches their style perfectly.

References in German popular culture

Films “Manta, Manta” and “Manta – Der Film” (1991): The popularity of the Manta jokes was such that it inspired two film comedies that same year.

- Manta – Der Film ( directed by Peter Timm) was released in September 1991.
- Manta, Manta (a few weeks later and directed by Wolfgang Büld), starring the young actor Til Schweiger in the role of a typical mantafahrer.

Both films satirized Manta drivers by taking clichés to the extreme: the plots revolve around races against drivers of other cars (Manta vs. Golf GTI rivalry, parodied as the “Golfkrieg” or Golf war in allusion to the Gulf War) and Manni’s adventures with his hairdresser girlfriend.

These films were quite successful at the box office and helped to establish the Opel Manta as a comic icon of the decade. (In fact, a nostalgic Manta sequel , Manta – Zwoter Teil, was released in 2023, showing the endurance of the Manta cult).

More jokes about the Opel Manta in the German ideologue

Why do Manta drivers carry a bale of straw on the passenger seat?
- “Because the main thing is that she’s blonde.”
What is the greatest thing about a Manta?
- “The bust of the escort.”
Why are Mantas now manufactured without sunroofs?
- “Because who has three arms?”
What is left after a Manta catches fire?
- “A gold chain and a hairdresser crying.”
Why do Manta’s drivers have reinforced antennas?
- “To fit a whole fox.”
Why do the walls of Manta drivers’ garages have a red stripe?
- “Because they always forget to stick their arm in when they come in.”
Why are Mantas now manufactured with 8 headlamps?
- “So that drivers can wear sunglasses also at night.”
Why are Mantas now manufactured 8 meters high?
- “So they can be lowered 7 meters.”
Why do Manta drivers always wear sunglasses?
- “So you don’t notice when they cry about breakdowns.”
Why don’t drivers in Manta use turn signals?
- “Because everyone already knows where they’re going: to the disco.”
How to double the value of a Manta?
- “Filling up the gas tank.”
Why do Manta drivers wear thick gold chains?
- “Lest they forget how ‘fast’ they are.”
Why do Mantas have such large rear-view mirrors?
- “So that their owners can admire their hairstyle with hair gel.”
How can you make a Manta reach 200 km/h?
- “Loading it onto a roadside crane.”
Why do Manta drivers never need an alarm clock?
- “Because the noise of the broken exhaust wakes them up every morning.”
Why do Manta drivers never wash their cars?
- “Because the dirt makes it look like it’s been in a race.”
How can you improve the fuel consumption of a Manta?
- “Leaving it parked.”
Why do Mantas have so much chrome?
- “To distract from the lack of performance.”
Why does a Manta never arrive first at a traffic light?
- “Because its owner is fixing his hairdo in the rearview mirror.”

As I was saying, these jokes reflect the stereotypes and cultural image associated with Opel Manta drivers in Germany during the 1980s and 1990s. It is possible that many of them were not invented in association with the Opel Manta, but there was no lack of those who made the corresponding adaptation, to expand the gloating at the expense of the car and its owners.

Opel Manta on TV and in the media

The German television program “Wetten, dass…” (in English, something like “?A que no…?“) was one of the most popular broadcasts in Germany and other German-speaking countries since its premiere in 1981. The format of the program consisted of ordinary people placing bets on unusual skills or amazing feats, while celebrities acted as sponsors of the bets, adding a touch of entertainment and spectacle.

On March 2, 1991, the program featured a “Saalwette” (bet in the studio) that reflected the humorous stereotypes of the time associated with the Opel Manta and its drivers. The bet consisted of at least ten Manta drivers, all called “Manni” (short for Manfred), attending the studio accompanied by their partners, who were to be hairdressers. This bet was based on the popular stereotype that portrayed Manta drivers as working-class young men, often called Manni, with girlfriends who worked as hairdressers. The wager was accepted and, indeed, ten “Mannis” with their hairdresser partners showed up in the studio, successfully meeting the challenge and providing a memorable moment in the program’s history.

This event is remembered as a reflection of how popular culture and humorous stereotypes of the time were integrated into mass entertainment programs, consolidating the Opel Manta and its drivers as icons of German culture in the early 1990s.

The scene looked like something out of a joke, but it was real – a sort of meta-humoristic wink to the audience. That such a widely seen show would stage this segment shows how ingrained the stereotype was in German popular culture at the time.

Super, Ingo” advertising (DEA campaign):

Not only movies and TV echoed this; advertising also took advantage of the Manta’s humorous appeal. In the late 1990s, the oil company DEA launched a commercial starring a typical Mantafahrer named Ingo. In the spot, Ingo arrives at a gas station and all the employees enthusiastically tell him, “Super, Ingo!”.

The driver, proud, thinks he is being praised (understanding “super, Ingo” as “great, Ingo”), but in reality he is being warned that he should fill his Opel Manta with super gasoline (95 octane) instead of diesel.

The comic denouement comes when Ingo realizes the confusion. This ad played on the naivety of the character and shows how the archetype of the mantafahrer was recognizable even in commercial advertising.

An automotive urban legend: Was Porsche the origin of the jokes surrounding the Opel Manta?

As a curious anecdote, over time the rumor arose that Porsche (Opel’s competitor in the German market, although obviously in another market segment) had been the originator of the Manta jokes, supposedly to damage the image of the Opel model.

While there is no real evidence that Porsche invented the Manta-Witze, the mere fact that such a theory exists reflects the impact these jokes had on the car’s public image. True or not, the ploy would have worked: the Opel Manta became so stigmatized (and at the same time, famous) for its jokes that, decades later, it is remembered with a certain nostalgic affection as – this time yes, and not necessarily for the “automotive-technical” reasons – a “cult car” of the 1980s.

So many of its former owners today embrace with humor the cliché to which they were subjected, and the Manta survives in the collective memory, not only for its performance, but for the atmosphere it generated.

In short, the jokes about the Opel Manta constitute a peculiar chapter of German humor: a combination of class satire, automobile parody and genre comedy. Through simple but effective jokes, the “Manta” went from being a car model to a cultural symbol, demonstrating how a vehicle can become the target of a national comic imaginary. These jokes and references are still remembered as part of Germany’s humorous folklore, illustrating German society’s ability to laugh at itself and its popular stereotypes.

Why were Opel Manta drivers known as "mannis"?

The name Manfred has a particularity in German culture because it is traditionally associated with certain characteristics or social clichés. During the 1970s and 1980s, “Manfred” (commonly colloquially abbreviated as Manni) became a typical name to caricature young working-class men, especially from the German industrial area (such as the Ruhr region), without much formal education, but with a striking and exaggerated style.

In the post-war period and during the 1950s and 1960s, the name Manfred was very popular in Germany. This means that, by the time the famous “Opel Manta jokes” appeared (1970s and 1980s), there were many young adults named Manfred, a name that was so common that it could easily represent the average working-class German. So “Manfred/Manni” did not only represent a character, but a whole generation that grew up in West Germany in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Manni” became a sort of humorous synonym for the stereotypical young man who prefers sports cars (especially the Opel Manta), excessive tuning, flashy clothes, gold jewelry, big chains, sunglasses, blonde hairdresser girlfriends, and colloquial idioms. This humorous character used to be represented as superficial, although not in what is understood as “bad”, but rather with a touch of naivety and candor, but a lover of “showing off” and obsessed with impressing others.

So in the films “Manta, Manta” (1991) and “Manta – Der Film” (1991), the protagonists are called “Manni” and represent the cliché with humor and affection: a simple, shallow, but kind-hearted young man whose greatest pride was his modified and customized Opel Manta.

Numerous TV comedians also used the name “Manni” for comic characters because of its brevity, informal sound, and easy pronunciation. And in fact in “Lola rennt” (1998), a famous German film starring Moritz Bleibtreu, the main character is precisely named Manni, a young, impulsive, hard-working boy who gets involved in a criminal problem that he must solve quickly. Although far removed from the original humorous stereotype, here the name “Manni” still evoked the average young German.

And in Spain? The origin

In Spain, the commercial origins of the Opel Manta B were not bad. Although it was highlighted as one of the “cons”(AUTOMOVIL Nº 59, December 1982 and AUTOPISTA Nº 1244, 21-May-1983) the car started as a product with a good image. So certainly the German and Spanish perception was different.

Spain and Germany had – at the time of the 70s and 80s of the last century – different circumstances. It has a lot to do with the cultural, economic and social contexts in which the car was sold in each country. in its first-hand new car stage. I will explain it in detail mentioning similarities and differences between Germany and Spain:

Germany:

In Germany, the Opel Manta (mainly the Manta B model, produced between 1975 and 1988) acquired its peculiar fame due to several specific cultural and socio-economic factors:

Socioeconomic profile of their owners:

The Opel Manta was relatively affordable for the German working class, especially the young and urban working class in industrial areas, closely linked to industrial and blue-collar sectors.
Its affordable price made it possible for young people without great purchasing power to acquire a car with a sporty appearance and the potential to be modified or customized.

Tuning culture and exaggerated aesthetics:

Many owners modified their cars with eye-catching elements, such as spoilers, sporty wheels, fog lights, flashy stickers, gold chains hanging from the rearview mirror, or the famous fox tail on the antenna.

This culture was perceived by a part of German society as tasteless or excessively ostentatious, consolidating a very defined visual stereotype.

Cultural reaction against ostentation:

In Germany, a country where sober vehicles such as Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen or Audi predominated, the exaggerated aesthetics of the Manta stood out in particular.
This contrast led to their owners being caricatured as unsophisticated or “macarras”, creating a comic stereotype around their figure.

Spain: expensive car with a sporty look.

In Spain, however, the perception was completely different for several key reasons:

Limited imports and market positioning:

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Spain was still living in a relatively closed economy, with strong restrictions on the import of foreign cars.
Opel was seen in Spain as an imported and prestigious German brand, especially in comparison with national brands such as SEAT.
Limited availability meant that Opels, especially sporty models such as the Manta, were considerably more expensive and exclusive than in Germany.

Greater relative exclusivity:

In Germany, Opel was perceived as an affordable and popular brand, but in Spain it was considered more sophisticated and exclusive, I would say at the level of imported cars like Ford Capri or sporty Fiat and Alfa Romeo models. Soon after, the Kadett GSI and its great acceptance (it was -and is- a great car) surely reinforced that image.
This led to the Opel Manta being sold with a higher market positioning, as a sporty and youthful vehicle, but aimed at a customer with higher purchasing power or seeking a certain social prestige.

Less association with exaggerated tuning:

Although there was a tuning culture in Spain, the Opel Manta did not become a massive symbol of this specific modification style.
Exaggerated modifications in Spain -at that time- became more common in more economical cars such as the SEAT Ibiza, Ford Fiesta, Ford Scort or Renault 5. In contrast, the Manta initially retained a relatively more sophisticated or sporty original image.

So to summarize:

Appearance	Germany	Spain
Availability	High	Download
Relative price	Accessible, popular	Expensive, exclusive
Type of buyer	Young, working class	Upper-middle class, affluent young man
Cultural image	Humorous, cartoonish	Sporty, elegant, prestigious
Relationship with tuning	Widespread	More limited

So the key difference would lie in the socioeconomic position of the Opel Manta in each country:

In Germany, because it was inexpensive and easily accessible, the Manta became a popular symbol, the target of mockery and humorous caricatures, with the figure of the “Mantafahrer” as the protagonist.
In Spain, its high price due to importation and its perception as a sporty, elegant and exclusive car meant that it did not originally acquire that humorous image nor did it become a symbol of mass or popular tuning culture.

Decline in Spain: Opel Manta becomes a "kisch" car

The shift towards its perception as a “rowdy” car began mainly during the late 1980s and early 1990s, extending into the early 2000s. And why?

Affordable second hand in the 1990s

Initially, the Opel Manta was expensive in Spain because it was imported, exclusive and prestigious in the 70s and early 80s.
Starting in the late 1980s and especially during the 1990s, many used Opel Manta cars began to arrive on the second-hand market at much lower prices, accessible to younger drivers with less purchasing power.
These new owners were young working class people who began to modify and customize the car with sporty elements, giving rise to the stereotype of the “cheesy” driver.

German and European tuning influences

During the 90’s, the European tuning culture began to clearly influence Spain. Magazines like “Maxi Tuning” popularized the exaggerated aesthetics (or not, depending on tastes, but let’s say “exuberant”, body kits, huge spoilers and showy rims.
The Opel Manta, with its sporty lines and increasingly reduced price, was one of the vehicles chosen by this new youth profile, helping to associate it with a more aggressive or “rowdy” style.

Association with cinema and popular culture

Although the German films “Manta, Manta” (1991) and “Manta – Der Film” (1991) had no impact in Spain, references to this stereotype were indirectly spread, especially among motoring enthusiasts.
In terms of Spanish cinema, there don’t seem to be – or at least I don’t remember them – many references, but there is one that is worth for all of them. 😊The unforgettable scene of the movie “Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella” (2001), related to an Opel Manta: In which the character of Cuco (played by the great Gabino Diego) presents Torrente (Santiago Segura) a new car he has obtained through a car dealer friend of dubious reputation. The car in question is an Opel Manta. In the iconic scene, Cuco gets into the car with Torrente in the passenger seat. When he starts the car, he immediately trips over a curb, causing the vehicle to overturn, generating a comical situation typical of the saga. This scene, by the way, was made by a stuntman, and the Opel Manta used for the scene was specially prepared with interior roll bars to ensure the driver’s safety during the rollover.

Key period of the change of perception: We can place the culmination of the “cani” image in Spain around the years 1990-1995, when the Opel Manta had lost its exclusivity and was already accessible to young people looking for affordable and easy to customize cars. In fact, many -most- of them ended up in scrapyards in an absolutely deplorable state.

So in a quick chronology for Spain:

Until the late 1980s:
The Opel Manta was considered an expensive and reasonably prestigious sports car in Spain.
From the 90’s to the beginning of the 2000’s:
It becomes more affordable, used mainly by young tuning enthusiasts, acquiring the image of “chavy car” reaching at that time the absolute decline (I remember that in Spain was almost impossible to see an Opel Manta that was not either horrendously tuned, or completely destroyed, or a mixture of the two things.

From the 2000’s: The tuned units end up disappearing and those that remain are those that had a better treatment and a quieter life. In Spain appears the “Opel Manta Club” in the early 2000’s (originally it was a MSN chat group) that brings together owners of this model that take care of them, maintain them, and compile documentation around it and it is already beginning to be considered as a classic car.
Today (2025): Opel Manta’s are already considered and cared for as classic cars.

The end of the via crucis: The Opel Manta from "cool" car to (finally!!!) classic car

The transition of the Opel Manta in Spain, from its image as a “camp car” to being considered an appreciated classic, occurred gradually, especially from the early 2000s and clearly consolidated at the end of that decade.

The arrival of the 21st century and the “eighties nostalgia” (2000-2010)

In the early 2000s, a transformation occurred in the automotive culture of key classic cars:

Previously cheap or popular cars (such as the Manta, Ford Capri, Renault Fuego, VW Scirocco) began to slowly disappear from the streets, mainly due to wear and tear, accidents or deterioration from excessive modifications.
As they became scarce, there was a nostalgic revaluation by enthusiasts who were now adults, already with a certain purchasing power, and who remembered these cars as part of their youth. And above all: only those in good condition remained. I, as a great lover of this model for years, still remember with a broken soul to see some Mantas how they had finished or their state of deterioration.

Key factors in the shift to classic:

Progressive shortages:
- From the 2000-2000s, most Opel Manta’s were in poor condition due to aggressive tuning in previous years.
- Specimens in good condition became scarce, increasing their value.
Movement of classics and associations:
- From about 2005 onwards, the classic and retro movement grew enormously in Spain, favoring cars from the 70s and 80s to be accepted as classics.
- Classic associations started to include the Opel Manta in their rallies, events and historic rallies.
- Opel Manta owners from the “classic car” era have already started to maintain and treat them as such, leaving some of them in truly magazine condition.
Influence of magazines and specialized media:
- Magazines such as “Motor Classic”, “Classic Cars” and “Auto Retro” began to include the Opel Manta in articles as an iconic German sports car of the 1970s and 1980s.
- This coverage contributed to improving public perception of the model.
Economic revaluation:
- Starting around 2010, the value of the Opel Manta (especially the original models, without extreme modifications) began to increase, definitively consolidating its status as a classic.

Key moment of the definitive change:

Between 2005 and 2015, especially after the rise of fairs such as Auto Retro Barcelona, ClassicAuto Madrid and other regional rallies, the Opel Manta began to reappear positively valued in collector circles, completely detaching itself from the previous stereotype.
From around 2010-2015, the Opel Manta was firmly established in Spain as a respectable, collectible, and upwardly priced classic car.

Conclusion:

The definitive transformation occurred around 2010, fully consolidated around 2015, when the Opel Manta left – fortunately!!! – behind the stereotype “camp”, “tacky”, “boy racer” (choose the adjective you prefer :-)) to acquire a clear status of classic car, respected, quoted and valued for its historical value, its design and its scarcity (of units in good condition).

And in your home country, how is the Opel Manta viewed in Germany today?

The Manta’s presence in the German tuning scene has diminished significantly. Well-preserved vehicles, especially GT/E models, have seen their value increase and have become sought-after collector’s items. In addition, the possibility of obtaining a historic license plate(H-Zulassung) has increased its appeal among classic car enthusiasts.

Modern initiatives and official recognition:

Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD: In 2021, Opel introduced the Manta GSe ElektroMOD, an electric version of the classic Manta A. This prototype combines retro design with modern technology, including a 108 kW (147 hp) electric motor and a 31 kWh battery that offers a range of approximately 200 km. This model reflects the trend of revitalizing classic vehicles with powertrains aligned with current market trends.
Philatelic recognition: On April 13, 2017, the German Federal Ministry of Finance issued a postage stamp within the series “Classic German Automobiles” depicting the Opel Manta A, highlighting its relevance in the country’s automotive history.

Opel Manta Clubs Germany

Opel Manta Club Sachsen e.V.– Saxony : Club dedicated to the Opel Manta in the state of Saxony. Organizes events and meetings for fans of the model.

Opel Manta Maniacs Club: Active Facebook community that shares content related to the Opel Manta, including events and photos.

Opel Club Betreuung: Platform that brings together various Opel clubs in Germany, including those dedicated to the Manta.

Opel Manta UK Clubs

Opel Manta Owners Club (OMOC): Founded in 1983, the Opel Manta Owners Club is the leading club in the United Kingdom dedicated exclusively to Opel Manta owners and enthusiasts. With approximately 500 members from around the world, OMOC provides a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge and resources related to the preservation and enjoyment of the Opel Manta. The club organizes national and regional meetings, and provides benefits such as an active forum, parts discounts and an owners’ insurance scheme.

Opel Manta UK Fan Club: This Facebook group is aimed at people who live, breathe and are passionate about everything related to the Opel Manta, Ascona or Cavalier. The page is dedicated to sharing experiences, photos, technical tips and discussions related to these models, fostering an active and engaged community.facebook.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1

Opel Manta Motorsport Group: Another Facebook group that brings together Opel Manta enthusiasts interested in the racing and performance aspect of the vehicle. Members share content related to preparations, motorsport events and specific technical improvements for the Manta.

Opel Manta France Clubs

Opel Classic Club de France (OCCF): It is a non-profit association that brings together enthusiasts of classic Opel vehicles, rare, sports or youngtimers. Founded in 1988, initially as Commodore Club de France, it adopted its current name in 2003 to reflect the growing diversity of Opel models represented. It has more than 200 members in France and other European countries, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among enthusiasts.

It offers the “e-Blitz Magazine”, a blog with articles about the Opel universe, interviews and club news.

Opel Manta Spain Clubs

Opel Manta Club SpainOpel Manta Club Spain: Founded in 2005, Opel Manta Club Spain is the main meeting point for Opel Manta lovers in the country. The club offers its members several advantages, such as.

Access to technical documentation: Members can consult detailed information on the maintenance and restoration of the Opel Manta.
Discounts on services and products: Agreements with companies in the automotive sector allow members to benefit from special prices on spare parts, maintenance services and other related products.
Participation in meetings and events: The club organizes national and international meetings, providing the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge among fans.

In addition, Opel Manta Club Spain maintains an active presence in social networks, facilitating interaction between members and followers.

Conclusion

The perception of the Opel Manta has shifted from being the subject of humorous stereotypes, jokes and a reputation as a decadent car to becoming a revered classic, reflecting a cultural revaluation and renewed appreciation for its design and historical legacy in the German automotive industry. This change reflects a cultural revaluation and a renewed appreciation for its design and historical legacy in the German automotive industry. Recall that – loved or reviled – nearly one million Opel Manta’s left the plants in Bochum and Rüsselsheim in Germany and Antwerp in Belgium.

Long live the Opel Manta!

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