Curbside Classic CA Vacation Edition: Super-Rare 1971 Opel Manta

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

You never know what will wash ashore on the beaches of Half Moon Bay. Heading for the coffee/wifi cafe to send these dispatches, what do I find in the parking lot, but a pristine 1971 (or ’72) Manta. As you may remember, the best I could in Eugene was this ’74 in a carport that probably hadn’t been driven in some ten years.

But this Opel is still taking its elderly driver on her errands. And it was a stick too. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a one-owna’ Manta. Even has the after-market/dealer installed rubber side protection strip. Must avoid parking lot dings, and keep the old Manta looking good for another decade or two! Parts? Why there’s that Buick dealer in San Mateo…

Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Dave7 Dave7 on Jan 04, 2010

    Fantastic find. Always liked these but always thought that the front and rear styling looks like its from different cars - perhaps even different decades (rear 60s, front 70s).

  • Autobahner44 Autobahner44 on Jan 04, 2010

    I had a '74 Manta in college. I called it the "poor man's BMW" and it was a really fun and simple car to bang around in. Burgundy corduroy seats-chicks dug 'em...

  • GregLocock That's a bodge, not a solution. Your diff now has bits of broken off metal floating around in it.
  • The Oracle Well, we’re 3-4 years in with the Telluride and right around the time the long term durability issues start to really take hold. This is sad.
  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
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