We’ve all seen Gene Hunt barking ‘fire up the Quattro!’ before he jumps into his Audi in the BBC’s Ashes to Ashes. This always bugged me slightly, because if I had my way this gritty TV cop wouldn’t be hooning around in a tech-fest Audi, he’d be driving an Opel Manta. This is a coupe that is far more down to earth, a no-nonsense ride for a no-nonsense copper.
The second generation of the Manta arrived in 1975 and lasted all the way to 1988. It kept its ‘Opel’ badge even in the UK and engines ranged from a titchy 1.2-litre OHV unit all the way up to 2.0-litres as seen in the later GTE/GSi. It gained an instant following for its good looks and fun rear-drive handling. A finely judged coil and spring setup, incorporating anti-roll bars, meant that the Manta had a good blend of comfort and grip, and this was joined by a decent amount of feel through the rack and pinion steering.